tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14603254.post114496820096018696..comments2023-10-20T04:20:01.864-07:00Comments on Occidental Tourist: The Full-On, Unpretty Truth in ThoughtOccidental Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08462196172327033327noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14603254.post-1145487678477750052006-04-19T16:01:00.000-07:002006-04-19T16:01:00.000-07:00After 4 kids in 4 years, I swore up and down I was...After 4 kids in 4 years, I swore up and down I was done. So very done.<BR/><BR/>They're now 18, 16, and the twins are 15. My newest, Lola, is 4 mo.<BR/><BR/>The older ones are magically deliciously helpful, which makes it a lot easier. My fiancee wants more (yegads) ("Just one more! So Lola has a playmate!") and I understand (I LOVED having my girls close together, and IF we have another one, I'd want the same).<BR/><BR/>That being said, yeah, it's daunting. I was *this* close to the light at the end of the tunnel...but I'm only 34, and I told myself starting another family, having more kids, just gives me the same tunnel as most women (vs. the child bride I was). I remind myself I've already done SO much of what I set out to do in life (travel, cool jobs, great friends, etc.) and yes, I want to know how the other half lives. I want to raise kids WITH someone, not that my ex and I didn't actually manage to co-parent quite well. <BR/><BR/>And, ultimately, I knew that if I survived 2 toddlers and 2 newborns, I can do ANYTHING. Cuz the hardest things really are that hard, but it doesn't stay hard forever, and those wide-open toothless drooly grins really are better than crack. (And? They don't remember those early mistakes thank GOD and by the time they remember the mistakes you made everyone's onto bigger/better things, like making sure they pass driver's ed and re-negotiating allowance. Everything's phases.)<BR/><BR/>Anyhoo - I'm enjoying your blog. Look forward to reading more!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com