Thoughts on Two Months with a Six Pack o' Kids...

Kids better be prepared to step up their pic taking game as the infamous family Christmas card pic taking session will be upon us... 

So we are two months in with six kids. 

Trying to let that sink in. 

Two months with six kids. 

So what's is like? A lot of the same as it was with five just with a little baby who happens to want to eat every so often. Life didn't stop when J came. We were showered with gifts and meals by family and friends so that made transitioning from five to six a bit easier but school, soccer, swim, AHG, church, choir, work, life continued as if J had been here the whole time. 

In some ways it feels like he's been here the whole time but obviously that's not the case. He's a good baby. I like him - well actually I love him but he really is great. He wakes up 2ish times a night to eat. He is a great companion going to work. He tolerates all the shuffling of big sibs. He has already touched our lives (and others) in ways only God knew we needed. In his first two months he lost that newborn look (or at least I think) about 2.5 weeks ago. He's not wearing NB clothes anymore - always a tough one to throw those clothes back in the bin. He's had his posterior tongue tie lasered in Chapel Hill - that was an ordeal for sure. 

Life is busy. Life is good. Life is seemingly normal with him around. Life has been crazy the last two months and it is funny that the 2 months preceding his birth mirrored the 2 months following his birth in some really crazy ways - one (of many examples) the Safelite guy came to our house this month to repair (thank goodness it was not replace!) the van windshield because on the way back from Chapel Hill we got a nice not-so-little ding from a flying rock. 

Crazy I tell you, but pretty standard operating procedure around these parts. 

So I guess the great question that is in everyone's mind and has only been articulated by a few is... Are you done? Will there be more Kibbe kids? 

To that I'd just a soon shrug and laugh and say 'it is possible' or 'maybe' or 'it is not just up to us'. 

Lee and I were recently reflecting on some old pics of the kids and what ifs. What if it was only the big girls? What if it was only the little three? What if it was 1, 3 and 5 what if it was 2, 4 and 6? How different would our life look? 

It certainly would look quite different - in some ways - but maybe not a whole lot. I'd like to think the better question is, who would we not have met? Who could I possibly imagine our lives without? Could I do without? E, my clear firstborn? R, my quiet, happy girl? M, my coulda been firstborn who is just too sneaky? A, my first boy? C, my wild child? J, my newest boy? 

I don't think I can pick one or two or three that I could possibly imagine life without. 

"Therefore, couples should really trust in God and let Him decide to call into existence a new human person and a new possible citizen of heaven. Why limit the number of citizens of heaven? Why not have more citizens of heaven, who for all eternity will see God, love, adore, and glorify Him?"           - Bishop Athananius Schneider, Christ's Triumph Over the Darkness of the Age

7QTs - Pools, Fossils, Quarters

Linking up with Kelly ... it has been awhile...

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Sometimes it takes a good old work trip to give me the time and the space to catch up in this little corner of the internet. I might get some cross stitching in on the plan ride and maybe M will have her stocking completed by Christmas!

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C is a mess. She is a screamer. She's got an opinion and an attitude about everything. Oh to be two again!

Waiting for someone to notice she has a quarter so she can get a popsicle and she shouts PINK because I think that's the only color she's got down pat. 

This picture is funny to me because this suit is a racing suit like the big girls wear but clearly Nike made a sizing error because it should be a tight squeeze for M but it is a tight squeeze for C. Future swimmer for sure!

---3---

We did get in a swim meet the week before last...

E and R swam in a relay together which was neat!

It has been an interesting summer swim season with DQs and learning strokes so this fall should be a good one at the Y - not that I am rushing the summer away!

---4---

Y'all I just can't...

A is so cute. He LOVES to mow and ADORES mowing with his Papa. He rode the whole time in the back but insisted he get off to mow himself in the front. I thought Lee gave him the boot because it was so so so very hot - but A had to run his mower through the clippings.

---5---

Apparently M has a really loose tooth... 

Funny the pics I find on my phone. The swim meet last week was canceled for thunder but that left some time to play around while it was decided that it needed to be canceled. (and the tooth still hasn't come out) 

---6---

This week I took M and A to the ENT...

M sounds like she breathes through a straw at night and A drools like a teething baby so I went in gunning for tonsil removal and we got the green light... on September 13. Nine days from numero 6's arrival. Soooo.... doing some serious rethinking of things as September isn't going to work and with only one ENT (joys of smaller-ish town doctors) I'm thinking end of year just to try and sneak it in on this year's deductible. We will see. Waiting for God to show us the right time in between all the fun stuff we do... this could be a big bummer. 

---7---

A part of me fossilized a bit yesterday...  

Finally packing for camp after days of mom putting it off

After 3.5 hours in the car we finally got there. E didn't know anyone but we met a friend and her mom in the check in line - which was awesome because after she took her swim test we had to say - see you on Friday - and she waited for her friend which was a perfect distraction from my departure. 

I have a kid at sleepaway camp. #fossilmom

The Odd Squad... Reloaded

Today in a few short hours, C will officially be 2 so technically I can still call them the Odd Squad plus this pic was taken last night so I'm good... An update to the previous and first Odd Squad edition

E9 - E is such a busy kid. She loves to stay busy and her mind is always thinking about what's coming next. This summer she's knee deep in several camps plus swim team. I joke that she'd make a perfect only child because then she'd get to do EVERYTHING - but fortunately for her God had a bigger, better plan. She's still learning about leading versus dictating over her siblings and the effectiveness of both. Fourth grade is coming up in the fall and I know that she'll be rocking Battle of the Books as well as quietly trying to conquer her fear of dogs. 

R7 - R is still very much the quietest one in our bunch - at least if all the siblings are around. I really loved and appreciate that I was able to take her on a Valentine's Day solo outing (and the others on their adventures). She really does have alot on her mind but usually can't put a word in edgewise. In some ways she is very shy but she can be extremely firm and stand her ground - like M copying her in EVERYTHING - which remains a point of extreme frustration. Second grade is coming up which means First Confession and cursive writing; E has scared her into thinking cursive is the most difficult thing in the world but I'm quite sure she will do fine - especially since she's got a lefty-partner in crime older sister who knows the ropes.  

M5 - M is the middle child but really she's not. She's the baby of the big girls and the leader of the little kids. She can happily play with either group and it is interesting to see her go between the two. M is much more competitive than I could have imagined. She loves to score goals in soccer and the thought of losing in swimming (to her BFF) can bring the tears - we are working on losing with grace : ). Trying new things and doing things differently do not come easily for this creature of habit. She is quite determined in more ways than one. I think if we could knock out reading book - all 70+ lessons she has left - she'd be thrilled. Kindergarten is coming quick and aside from being nervous about a new school and new friends, M will surely do well. 

A3 - If you haven't clicked the link you should, just so you can see As hair. To our only boy, where are the words? This boy keeps us on our toes. He can be very mechanical and he thinks about things much differently than the girls. He asks me frequently 'how is the baby coming out' - and I promise the girls maybe have asked once or twice ever over all the pregnancies. A insists that this baby is a boy and desperately wants to know why we aren't having twins? A can get very focused and emotional/passionate about some things - currently it is mowing the grass - and when things break - like a car track or Legos (hello C!) - this can be super tragic to A. He has recently taken to altar serving on Sundays (with Papa) - which is amazing (perks of being a deacon's son) and cute (he is falling out of his vestments) and a massive burden off my Sunday shoulders (because shockingly enough he CAN behave for Liturgy). This fall is going to be a game changer for A because he's going to be the oldest and he's going to be lost for a bit without M at home to play with but I think he and C will keep themselves busy. 

C1 - To the loudest member of the family. The babbler. The thrower (of all things food and toys). Two will suit you well little girl. C has really been talking up a storm and is super chatty and I'm picking out more and more things that she says - and some of what she repeats is quite amazing. Her current habits include throwing unwanted food off her tray (and suffering the consequences of losing eating privileges upon launched food) and throwing toys and the like when she isn't getting her way. If I ever thought one of our kids should play baseball - C takes the cake. C loves all her siblings and if she's thinking about it gives everyone a big HEEELLLLLOOOOOO in the morning accompanied by a hug. Her current worst habit is sticking her hand in dirty diapers and aside from keeping her in a pajama onesie all the time - we are hoping this habit will get kicked soon. C starts preschool in the fall as well as be dethroned from the family baby status so her world might get rocked for a few weeks in September BUT I have no doubt she won't get lost in our crowd. 

Odd Squad

Here's to the final night of the Odd Squad... (for a bit). Here's what they are up to

They'd best step up their collective game for the Christmas card pic... just saying

R - 5 - She is rocking Kindergarten. She has made some good friends in her 'new' school. She's got a good class of kids and I love that she loves her school and her friends. Her handwriting is still improving and she's powering through her sight words. Tee ball is her sport of choice is she is making HUGE strides in hitting off a pitch. 

E - 7 - Second grade? E is getting into the groove. The first few weeks of second grade were kind of a bear (maybe more for me than her). She loves to read. LOVES TO READ. She can get so into a book. She's swimming year round again for the second year and doing well. Still working some kinks out of breaststroke, I believe she can do it but she might tell you otherwise. 

C - 3 months - She's talking up a storm and loves to chat it up when I change her diaper and enjoys looking at herself in the mirror. I really need to move her into her crib for the night because I think we are keeping each other up at night. She's still coming to work with me and Papa has not attempted any sort of bottle with her soooooo, I'm never too far away. 

A - 1 and/or 23 months - AAK (get that)! How. Is. It. Possible. A is turning 2 tomorrow. He is all boy. He loves to lay in the dirt and play outside. He is still in the very clingy mom stage during the day - especially when I drop him at school and in the afternoons. He HATES to wear shoes and has the saddest looking feet with splinters, ant bites and scrapes - but he wouldn't have it any other way. 

M - 3 - This girl will be 4 in a month. Also, insane. She is loving her 3 yr old class and has some really great friends. She is mischievous and devious and calculating and cute all at the same time. M prefers playing with the big girls but can be caught playing with A after lunch because sisters are at school. She's a mess and she's got everyone fooled by her cuteness. She played soccer for her third season and did leaps and bounds better (comparatively, but we aren't supposed to do that, right) than her big sisters. We owe her a celebratory trip to Pit Stop and probably a few extra topping because of her season performance : ) I think M is a little E with some third child swagger. 

It is kind of weird dynamics we have going on right now. I think that E, R and M are their own little dynamic in the family. E is definitely the oldest. R is the forgotten middle child who is harassed by the oldest and the youngest (M). I try not to forget her but it is hard because I think of her more like E and she's not as small as M - it is easy to forget she demands her own standards. M is the youngest who thinks they can get away with anything (she does get away with some stuff but when I catch her... score one for Team Mom - she is a predictable 3 yr old.) 

A is the only boy and acts like an only child. He wants me to drop everything for him all the time. Hold him. Feed him. Take him outside. He wants all my attention. 

C is still in that 'finding her place stage'. I don't know where's she's going to fall but A is so so so attached to her and the big girls are good with her but also give C her space because they have a million other things. 

Five Kibbe Kids

Clare Cecilia was born on Saturday afternoon

She is being welcomed into the madness of the general goings on of the house. She has been sleeping well (so far) and eating well. The big kids are excited to have her but not quick to ask to hold her. Though they are very quick to let me know when she's crying (as if I cannot hear her :  ) Prioritizing needs people!

A went from being small to being a giant (to me) overnight. I can barely pick him up and carrying around someone four times the size of the newest baby is crazy - so I don't unless its from the high chair to the sink to get his hands clean. I look at his fingers and last week I thought they were small and sweet and now they are massive and cute and chubby. 

How she came and her name and all that fun stuff later.. Tomorrow? Who knows... 

The Fairly OddKids

I couldn't resist... 

7, 3, 1, 5

Cast of Characters: 

Age - 7

Letter - E

Mom's current favorite nickname - Esther

Likes - Reading, soccer, swimming, Legos, American Girl, Barbies, playing outside

Dislikes - Homework, things that are difficult

Age - 3

Letter - M 

Mom's current favorite nickname - Moey

Likes - Playing upstairs with the big sisters, getting up as soon as there is an ounce of sunlight, soccer

Dislikes - Taking rests 

Age - 1

Letter - A

Mom's current favorite nickname - Little Boy

Likes - Bananas, clementines, being outside, toting a broom around, school

Dislikes - Afternoons between the hours of 4-6, not being outside 

Age - 5

Letter - R 

Mom's current favorite nickname - Rebekles

Likes - Playing with sisters, Barbies, swinging really high, using the gymnastics swing, tee ball

Dislikes - When things don't go her way, being corrected

Age - t-minus 5 weeks

Letter - very much decided and of course not telling

Mom's current favorite nickname - baby K #5

Likes - giving mama heartburn - my guess is lots of hair like R, making mama feel a millions years old because of crazy lower back pain, kicking and somersaulting in a very confined space

Dislikes - TBA

Fun Family Fitness - Ding Round Three

'Twas the Rocket Mile season this past weekend and it happens to be a family tradition - 2015 and 2016...

We picked up our packets in the chilly mist on Saturday at lunch time after a morning of going to the dump, signing up for swim team and making a Sam's run. 

#hurricanekibbe

Hopefully I'll be added back to the running ranks next year. 

Papa was signed up to run but thanks to some bizarre pre-race foods choices (pineapple and watermelon) and their effects... well let's just say he didn't race. Probably also didn't help he had worked a 15.25 hr day on Friday and a 11.5 hr day on Saturday.

Anyhow, the girls eventually stopped bugging him about it and I think I'm going to implement a race training program next year... for EVERYONE : ) 

Too bad we didn't name our kids in alphabetical order.... 

This was M's first Rocket Mile. She hears us talk about Rocket Mile Road many mornings because its the last road we are on before E's school. She seemed excited but really had no idea what she was in for. When we lined up with all the other girls (race are broken out into men, women, boys, girls), I could tell she was a bit nervous. 

E and R were seasoned pros and wanted to be at the front of the line but ended up with a group of friends from school (love our school!). I knew E would be fine. R was and is my joker. I'm never quite sure what she'll do so I told her she could run as much as she wanted and if she needed anything she could talk to a volunteer in a bright green shirt OR she could always wait for me and M. 

The race started and M and I started at the caboose and never gave up that title. She held my pinky and we ran for a bit and walked for a lot. I thought I saw E (because the race is a big rectangle down city streets you can see runners when you cross a cross-street). I had my eye on R who was not terribly far ahead of me and M for most of the race. The group she was with took off at the end though. 

M and I chatted. She desperately wanted to splash in the puddles on the sidewalk but I told her that probably wasn't a good idea. We talked about the stop light colors and I tried to convince her to run if it was green light - that was not successful. 

We got to the very last turn and everyone realized that the caboose had arrived and M SOAKED IT UP. I mean if you had several hundred people cheering for you - that's how you finish a race. YAY!

She did it and I knew she could and all she wanted was her own bottle of water. I was just glad I hadn't signed up for the women's race and planned to walk with M because I ain't trying to have bebe K#5 early!

I had to. I JUST HAD TO... (2015 the 3 yr old finishing : )

That's the short version of the post so the rest is going to get complicated and reflective so watch out. 

Now, E being nearly 7 (but not yet) was at the top of her age group. She finished 4th last year and knew there would be a good chance that's she'd place in the top three and get a medal. Which is exactly what happened. She took off about 40 seconds from her time from last year and won the 6 and under age group. She had practiced at school (thank you PE) and she had practiced at home. YAY!

R finished all by herself and added a few minutes to her time from last year (probably because I wasn't there to give her company and encourage her to run). Totally fine. Proud of her for doing it on her own. YAY!

I figured M would likely finish within the allotted 20 minute time frame. Seeing her have her moment when everyone was cheering for her was awesome. Not as awesome as it was with R the first year we did it because I wasn't sure R was going to finish. It was a different kind of feeling this time. M totally soaked up the moment and fed off the people cheering for her. (Whereas R had the same cheers but never picked up her pace or seemed fazed but the crowd - that's just how she is)

Anyhow, here is where my parenting heart was pulled into 3 pieces... 

Before the girls awards were given out, the man said he had a special award for the only 3 yr old who finished... Guess who that was. Miss Running Queen herself. 

My heart sunk and was happy at the same time. 

I knew E would be getting a medal and here M was with one too which means... you guessed it R was left out. 

The year R was 3 and raced we left before the awards (and who knows if she would have even gotten a medal in the first place because it was kind of an on the spot thing).

I think it was a quintessential middle child moment - R being the middle girl. 

I could tell she was bummed. Big sister with a medal and little sister with a medal and middle sister with nada. When we got to the van I pulled her aside and looked her in the eyes and said 'You don't need a medal for me to be proud of you'. And that's when the tears started. 

It's such a bizarre dynamic of wanting to be super excited for E for finishing first and M for finishing but not making too big of a deal about it out of fear of hurting R's feelings. It's like I had to have different conversations with each kid. I don't know it was so weird and I'm still reflecting on it two days later and probably will for some time. It's one of those moments that makes you think and think and think because it's such a quandary. And I'm sure one day I'll look back and be grateful for this because surely it will make me a better parent and understanding person. 

When we got home we walked in the door and R announced - 'that it was good you got medals'. 

More parenting heartstrings pulled. 

That night in the shower I cried for R. Not because she didn't get a medal but because she's a great kid that's got a huge shadow of a big sister to live under. But really she doesn't live under that shadow at all - unless we put her under it and we really try are best not to. Rs a totally different kid and we love her for that. She marches to the beat of HER own drum. She cuts her bread in half a different way than the rest of us - AND THAT'S OKAY. She want to play tee ball instead of soccer. Great. She's got a huge heart and sometimes I just don't see it because she is not as expressive as the other girls but this year, on this day, on this occasion - her big heart shined through. 

7QTs - Herbs, Ice Cream, Sports

Linking up with Kelly because it's Friday!

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Saturday we had another doubleheader of tee ball and soccer. Except it was picture day and the games were back-to-back which was fantastic!

A got to enjoy the swings for a few minutes in between pics and the first game 

Then it was distraction of the masses during E's game. Side note A is stinking so cute in this pic. And not side note, E scored 2 goals in the game!

---2---

Which meant....

We told her 3 goals and she'd earn a trip to ice cream


Because Lee was working. So we made good the reward after church the next day so Papa could be there

I think it's safe to stay everyone had a good time!

---3---

Also on Saturday (before all the crazy sports) we trekked to the Master Gardner Plant sale and got some herbs. Last year I didn't do herbs because.... the year before I killed them by not watering them. This year E is now charged with the watering task. 

I am much more confident in her watering diligence. We got a few basil because grilled pepper + goat cheese + basil = heartburn city BUT amazing. Also, thyme, oregano and we came home with some dill only because we were told they attract monarch butterfly caterpillars soooooo... sold to the family who needs some more bugs in their life. 

She did lose hose privileges real quick though so now she's stuck with the water can!

---4---

A has this thing for brushing his teeth... 

He LOVES it and seeks out his toothbrush after every meal. He may not say much but he understands a lot. Where to put dirty clothes, where to put dirty diapers, when it's time to pray, needing footwear for his feet. Which is why I was halfheartedly hoping he'd be down for giving the potty a whirl. But I think it's not in the cards. 

---5---

Pics I find on my phone.... 

E lost her eighth tooth on Saturday night. It had been super loose for a while. The gold dollar the tooth fairy left her was a bit confusing since in wasn't as shiny as some of the previous ones but we confirmed it was still... 100 cents. 

---6---

In other total randomness...

E's got a birthday coming up so we've got to pick up and hide this for a few days... I'm not 100% sure where it is going to get hidden because E takes after her mother when it comes to snooping : ) So I got her number. 

These two have been enjoying themselves and playing really well together after lunch. R keeps telling M that she will be in big school when she's in Kindergarten and then M won't have anyone to play with and she's sorry about that (except A will be here but I don't interrupt the moment) but...

That kind of hurts my feelings the whole all-day-school-thing. I'm having flashbacks to the weeks leading up to E going to K and how I literally had to leave the room and collect myself just so they wouldn't see my crying. K isn't as eminent yet and who knows what postpartum emotions will be hurled at me come August. I'm hoping that now that there aren't nearly the 'unknowns' and 'new things' that I'll be able to hold it together a little bit better. Hopefully.... 

---7---

To prove I can be a cool mom from time-to-time...

E got to stay up late because she rolled in from soccer at 8 - THANK YOU 7 PM practices! - and eat her dessert and lick the Cool Whip container. She gave the condensed milk a try and nixed it and wouldn't try the filling for the Key Lime pie because well, she's my kid. 

Then there was arguing over the light on/off situation upstairs so I let her (light on advocate) come down and finish her book and then she realized she 'needed' to finish another one. It's May. It's the end of the school year. It's pool season. It's survival mode.

Anyhow, two books later and several recipes later we are ready for a fun company gathering tonight and there's going to be a piñata there and the kids don't know it yet. 

Life maybe LOCA most days but seriously wouldn't change all the people - from family, friends, work, sports teams, church members - who make it worth it. 

7QTs - Hair Ties, Goggles, CSW

Linking up with Kelly and the usuals...

---1---

Sometimes I have little reminders of my kids...

I am a mom to several girls with long hair and finding hair ties is either really easy or super difficult. On this day it was easy. There are already murmurs of cutting our hair. I am still advocating for a pre-school hair cut like we did 2 years ago and I'm not quite sure if M will be able to get in on the action! 8 inches is a tall order for a 3 yr old who has never had her hair cut and whose hair doesn't seem to grow quickly at all but she is the one who is pushing the hair cut the most!

---2---

The swimmer does homework:

E had to get a new pair of goggles because the band on one of her pairs (she has to have 2) broke on both sides in less than 24 hours? Kind of weird because I thought the one side breaking was just a fluke. Anyhow, she wanted yellow and the brand she had before didn't have only yellow so we branched out to these and she HAD to try them out immediately. 

---3---

R and M are taking swim lessons during E's swim practice #winning

It is super convenient and A stays home with Papa - love you A - so I get a break. 

I love that R gets to be the big sister and be 'more advanced' if you will. She LIVES in E's shadow so much it's good for her to be the biggest. These girls are both hoping to swim 6 and under this summer. M doesn't really realize what that entails I am quite sure. R can do it if she wants to and she's eyeing a new bathing suit. Standing offer is if you swim 6 and under you get to pick out a (blue) racing bathing suit and I told E she could get one to match (because she kind of needs one) but also she will help cheer R on to 6 and under glory : ) 

---4---

The quilt!

So it is not backed or quilted in this pic - nor did I do any of the sewing to speak of - okay maybe a square or two. A HUGE gracias to the lady who has less time than I who got this done in no time. The quilt is en-route to my case and I cannot wait to see it. Hoping this will be a big bidding auction item in a month!

---5---

E was working on her World Heritage badge for AHG

She picked Japan, Israel and Kenya to learn about. Part of the badge is cooking food from those countries. Papa of course stepped up to the plate and made the cooking side of the badge happen #teamwork

We had beef stir fry from Japan, beans, corn and potatoes from Kenya and Jewish bread. I think my favorite was the Kenyan recipes and that will be added to the roles of Lenten recipes!

---6---

Catholic schools week was ages ago but here's to it anyway...

Crazy hair day!

There was one boy who painted his hair blue and put fish in it - I thought that was the most creative

Career day dentist!

In Spanish the week before they drew and wrote what that wanted to be but I didn't get a clue in time so Amazon Prime to the rescue for the scrubs and white coat. By the end of the day E said she wanted to be a hygienist except she kept on saying - high-GENE-est and I was DYING. 

---7---

Also, the book fair was during Catholic School Week... 

E had a more than great report card so she had some funds to burn. Of course she picked a needle arts book. Let it be known I am not crafty and I really don't have a lot of patience for crafts especially new ones that don't go according to plan. E and I sat in bed for FOREVER trying to get this bracelet started. It really doesn't help our joint cause that she's let handed and I am not. So we are doing things backwards from each other. E isn't the most patient person either (ehem... where did that come from). Anyway, she left more than disappointed. She has still emerged for the heights of the upstairs with her bracelet she is working on. Sometimes you just have to figure it out on your own.