Change of Plans

I like to plan things, and I wish I was in control. Being a planner can be a real asset to motherhood. But, it was the journey into motherhood that clearly showed me I was not in control! So, I am trying to use my planning and organizing strengths to my family's advantage...and at the same time, I am trying to learn to "roll with the punches."

I made plans for our family to go swimming after dinner this evening. With the 3 oldest children in swim lessons this month, I thought they would benefit from having more practice time, and time to show off their new skills. The younger 2 miss out on lessons right now, because I am not confident I can take them both into the parent/tot swim class safely. I also have to be on guard and ready to rescue Jersey #3 from his lesson, because he does not differentiate between being in swim lessons from being able to swim! My husband misses out on much of our summer fun, while he is at work, so I try to look for ways to include him and let him see what the kids are doing. I was at the top of my game today. I had chilli cooking in the crock pot all day. I was keeping up with the daily household chores. I did an extra loop around town in the car today, after running a few errands, to allow the youngest 3 to get in a good nap. I packed up the diaper bag in advance. I prepared a bottle and a sippy cup for travel. I even baked cookie bars for dessert. Our excited children waited anxiously for their Daddy to get home from work this evening, and immediately asked him if he was up for going to the pool tonight. He agreed and everyone rushed to the table for a quick bite before heading out. Dinner time is often on the crazy side with so many demands and needs at one centralized location. But, it was smooth sailing tonight. The older girls were eager to help set the table, the middle two were in their seats waiting to be served. My husband was feeding the baby in the high chair while I scooped out bowls of chilli. I carried the bowls to the table and started to set them before the children. And, in a split second, all of my best-laid plans fell apart---as soon as I set her bowl in front of her, Jersey #4 promptly vomited (I don't think it was the sight of my cooking, but I don't know for sure!) By the time I got around the table to her, she was vomitting for a second time, and simultaneously having a blow-out in her diaper. Poor girl. She was shocked that her body was reacting out of her control. I scooped her up and took her to the bathroom, catching sight of Jersey #1 stepping away from the table gagging and attempting to heave from the sight (I am guessing she is not going to pursue a career in nursing). Jersey #4 cried that her tummy hurt and her leg was messy! I distracted her with the suggestion that she could take a bath (something that she absolutely loves to do), ran some water, and got her soaking in the tub. I returned to the table to discover the surprise that my husband had already cleaned up the mess (Wow! That is huge for him....as he usually reacts like Jersey #1). We explained to the older children that there was no way we were going to be able to go to the pool tonight under such conditions, so we would pick a different family activity instead. We decided on a movie night at home, relaxing in the living room. The kids were disappointed but they handled the change quite well. I reminded them that these things happen sometimes. I think I was really reminding ME of that truth. Ah, motherhood....that time in my life when there are so many, many variables out of my control. Tonight, I was much calmer about the whole situation. In the past, I have had huge adrenaline rushes as I dealt with the circumstance and my own shock over having to divert course from my plans.

Tonight's experience came a close second to the similar experience I had 2 years ago. This was another day that I was at the top of my game (I am starting to see a trend....maybe this is a pride issue). My girls were taking a class at a local children's museum. I had taken the time to prepare a picnic lunch, and we had plans to stay at the museum after class, picnic at the playground there, and then spend some time browsing the exhibits. The older 3 children ran toward the playground equipment, while I strolled Jersey #4 over to a bench, sat down, and started pulling things out of the lunch pail to set up our picnic. I had just inserted the straw into the first juice box, when I heard Jersey #2 crying. This was very strange for her, as she was usually tough as nails. She was sitting on the ground at the base of the slide, crying in pain. She didn't even attempt to get up. That was my first clue that something was very wrong. I scooped her up and carried her over to the bench to assess the damage. She calmed down some, but just sat and cried. She wasn't hungry and she wasn't going to dare try to walk. She just cried. This was so out of character for her that I ended up re-packing the picnic lunch, and loaded everyone up to leave. I put Jersey #2 in the stroller and wheeled her out of the museum with one hand, while carrying baby Jersey #4 with the other arm. So much for my carefully planned outing at the museum. All of my plans were shot. Instead, we spent the afternoon visiting the doctor...and spent the next morning getting X-rays and a splint....followed by a cast a week later. It turns out that Jersey #2 had a spiral fracture on her left tibia (lower leg bone). She just landed wrong after coming down the slide.

It is amazing what can happen in a split second to change the course of the whole day!

Here is a cute picture of Jersey #4 when she is feeling healthy...

and a picture of Jersey #2, from two years ago, with her purple cast....