Jersey #4

Jersey #4 turned our life upside-down. She is determined to go against the plan. This trait of hers started in the womb, where she was upside-down. She was a footling breech baby. Instead of being in the head-down position ready for birth, she was standing on 1 foot like a flamingo. We scheduled a c-section delivery, and she insisted on arriving 2 days prior than her scheduled surgical date.

Jersey #4 was a beautiful, bald baby. She was born with blue eyes and no hair. She took a full year to grow a little bit of hair, which was hard to see because it was so blonde. She has the same coloring as most of her siblings...and looks a lot like Jersey #1....only with a dainty shape to her bone structure. Jersey #4 grew along the 50-60th percentile growth curve, but always looked so petite compared to chubby Jersey #3. She has been gaining in height quite a bit this year, so it looks like she may become a taller child afterall.

Jersey #4 believed she was born into royalty, and we were her servants. I wrongly expected a 4th child to be easy-going and just blend into the family. It took Jersey #4 just under 24 hours to have the entire family running to tend to her every wail. She was fiesty and strong-willed even in infancy. She is also introverted. She likes to play by herself most of the time. And she prefers to be home. In the early months, we left every playdate and activity with Jersey #4 screaming. When she was tired, she wanted to nap at home. She would maintain a constant scream until we arrived home and walked through the door of our house. Then, she was instantly content.

Thankfully, Jersey #4 slept. She was sleeping for 8 hours stretches at night at 5 months old. That was such a welcome relief after the level of sleep trauma we endured with Jersey #3. It was so nice to have a baby who slept again. Jersey #4 proved quite challenging all day long, then blessed us with her angelic sleep at night.

As long as Jersey #4 was getting everything her way, she was the happiest child. But, she was not friendly. She did not smile at strangers. She was not interested in making strangers into friends. Granny had to win over Jersey #4's acceptance by feeding her powdered sugar donuts. Jersey #4 would smile for Granny and let Granny hold her, as long as there were powdered sugar donuts available. Jersey #4 had 1 exception to her rule....there is a girl at church who is 9 months younger, and they have been instant friends. They broke all the rules of parallel play, by interacting with each other and making each other laugh at very young ages. All of Jersey #4's baby dolls are named after her friend.

Jersey #4 was so unfriendly to all of our friends and family, that most folks assumed she couldn't talk. As she grew into a young toddler who never said a word out in public, folks started to inquire about her verbal deficit. We were amused, because she was actually a chatterbox at home. She was a completely different child at home than she was in public.

We had to cancel Jersey #4's first birthday party. She was sick with the flu. That was a first for our family (not the flu, but having to cancel a birthday party). That is just how things go with Jersey #4.....not as planned.

I joke that I am raising Jersey #4 to take care of me in my old age. She pays such close attention to detail, that I am certain she will keep me from getting bed sores. She is our only child who can thoroughly clean up every toy in the room. She puts things where they belong. She likes routine and she likes clean. As a result, she was very easy to potty train. She preferred to be dry and clean versus soiled. She does not even require a reminder to wash her hands....with soap....she does that all on her own, as part of her routine.

Jersey #4 would prefer to be the eldest child in the family. She is pretty certain that she should be in charge, and that she should have authority over all of her siblings. She used to try to make her older siblings leave her path, but she eventually faced the fact that they were bigger and stronger. Now, she focuses her energy on mothering her little brother, Jersey #5. She bosses him around, and assists him when he needs help. She can be quite caring when she wants to.

Jersey #4 has been able to dribble a basketball since she was 2 years old. That is how she entertained herself during her older sisters' basketball practices. I look forward to seeing how she does when she is old enough to play sports. She seems fairly coordinated for a little kid. She has been quick to learn to pedal her tricycle and to pump her legs to go higher on the swing. She has not been quick to climb up into that big chair at the dentist though. She is quite resistant there.

Jersey #4 loves baby dolls and dogs. She is usually found with at least one in her arms at all times. She loves to play house...to be the Mom....and to take care of the baby, or the dog. She will dress up like a princess about as often as she will dress up as Bob or Larry from the Veggie Tales. Dress-up clothes are not near as exciting for her as her regular clothes. Jersey #4 loves clothes and shoes (which is very odd, considering she also loves to be naked). She comments about how pretty an outfit is in the store. She is very picky about what clothes she wears each day. She prefers to dress herself. She would rather fuss and whine in frustration than to have one of us help her put her shirt on. Dresses that twirl are her favorite, along with shiny shoes.

Jersey #4's social skills flipped like a light switch as she was approaching age 3. All of a sudden, she was very independent, compliant, and friendly toward others. She started speaking of other children as her friends. She started talking to the people we see regularly at the park, activities, and church. People who had been snubbed by Jersey #4 her whole life, were ready to faint when she suddenly started talking to them and smiling at them.

While Jersey #4 was participating in Awana this past year, we learned she really likes songs that have motions to accompany them. She enjoyed learning the lessons, but she most enjoyed the arts and crafts. She is also left-handed.

After Jersey #4 stayed with Granny & PawPaw so we could take Jersey #2 for surgery, they reported that she was the perfect child. I admit, my jaw dropped. I asked for clarification that they were speaking of MY Jersey #4? The child who tests limits with a vengence. The child who announces that she is 5 years old, even though she is only 3. The child who just wakes up one day and makes it her mission to challenge my every instruction.....just for fun.

Yes. Apparently, Granny & PawPaw saw a Jersey #4 who played nicely on her own. She did not wander off. She did not mess with things that were not hers. She followed the rules, and remembered to wash her hands. Plus, she still sleeps well.

Actually, she sleeps in late in the mornings. I am pretty convinced she is just recharging so that she can throw my best laid plans off course every chance she gets. But, she is so smart, and so beautiful. So caring and so clean. And, she is going to take care of me when I am old.