I know more than a few families that ended up with more kids than was planned or expected. That found themselves with just one more baby when they didn’t really see it coming. A lot of times these are moving babies, exotic vacation babies, and winter holiday babies.
But what I’ve never heard of is a family that wishes they could go back and be more mindful. I’ve never met a family that wishes they could get a “do over” and try life without their last child. Because, while unexpected, it seems that many times those late comers are exactly what makes a family complete.
Today, our “bonus baby”, Pipsqueak, turns 4 and while his being has by far been the biggest struggle our family has ever faced, I’m really glad he’s here to be a part of it.
He loves trucks and cars of all kinds. He wants to be a firetrain driver when he gets big. Or maybe a police, with two cars. And he really wants to drive a racecar, when he’s big enough.
He is silly and has an infectious laugh.
He is free-spirited and wild at times.
He is strong-willed and opinionated.
He is a bundle of ceaseless energy and never stops. Ever.
He will try anything and never gives up. He has determination of steel and goes through life without any regard for what other people think (including me!)
He is rough-and-tumble boy throughout but adores his big sisters. He doesn’t mind a pony in his hair and won’t shy away from pink-sparkly-anything.
He has an imagination for make-believe and creation that outstretches anything my prior 4 year olds could have dreamed of (and sometimes even beyond his current 11 year old sister!)
His theme song has always been “Wrecking Ball” because he has a way of walking through this world destroying things. But I also know it means he’ll take down any obstacle that stands in his way.
He wants to be like his big sisters and brother (and often keeps up). Yet, he is still our little baby and somehow helpless in ways beyond any 4 year old we’ve had before.
Life with Pipsqueak has been a blur. The past 4 years have flown by as we navigate as a family of 6 and try our best to figure out how to manage 4 vastly different kids.
Can I imagine life without him? Yep, I sure can. It would be a lot quieter and my arms wouldn’t be so tired at the end of the day. There would be less screaming and arguing and maybe I’d have a bit more patience. But my heart would also be a lot less full.
