Open Answers

I've always been pretty open to answering questions about my pregnancies and my kids. Some questions I hate more than others, and it's usually simply because it's been asked so many times. Kind of like how being ID-ed all the time lost it's "Oh, but you'll love it when you're 50!" novelty after several very big security men surrounded me at a casino after my ID had already been checked TWICE (you know, because all 90 pounds of me is going to cause a really HUGE ruckus when my fake ID is discovered).

Some questions I really love answering. There are just some subjects about my kids (and their pregnancies) that I could just go on and on and on about and you'll probably end up wishing you hadn't asked. So, I thought it would be fun to come up with a list of sorts. Here goes:

TOP 5 MOST HATED QUESTIONS (and my honest answers):

1. Did you plan?   Well, no. There- I said it. I didn't plan a single one of my children, and you know what- I don't plan much of anything else in my life. I always knew I wanted three or four children and I wanted to be a young Mommy, who could hopefully live to be a part of her great-grandchildren's lives (sort of like how my Grandma is). Life gave me my three wonderful children who show me what real love is every day- you don't have to be a planner to be a happy, loving Mommy. Did I plan the timing? No. Do I regret it? Not for a second.
2. Do you want more? I don't know. I get kind of nervous answering this one. Mostly because I know most people are secretly hoping to hear "No" as the answer. Partially because I really am torn. I can picture another child in my life in the future, but I don't think I could handle another one right this minute. Some days I feel like our family is perfect with three children and some days I imagine Sophia starting elementary school and me and a baby at home playing while we wait for school to be over. Please just stop asking this one so I can't stop thinking about it.
3. How does he/she sleep? Like a baby. Like three different babies who were nothing alike when it came to sleep. Like they don't care (and they don't, they're kids) that I have a big test the next day or a deadline to meet, or that I'm sick- this is the night they're going to test the limits and see how long they can delay sleep-land. 
4. Are you sure you're not having twins? This one just seems so mean-spirited. I get it, I'm a really small woman and seeing 50 extra pounds of weight on me makes me look massive. So massive, in fact, that there must be two babies in there. Yes, I said 50 extra pounds, and no, I wasn't having twins.
5. Did you have your tubes tied? No, I didn't, and it makes me really uncomfortable that you're asking me because we've known each other maybe 5 minutes.

TOP FIVE FAVORITES:

1. Is she/he very active? I get to talk about all the cool adventurous things my kids do. I could tell tale upon tale of what Sophia can currently climb up (and show you quite a few bruises to prove it). How about I just explain how I now have three wrinkles on my very young forehead and I got each one from a different kid. Oh, and let's not forget how I have a mini anxiety attack whenever any of my children play on a playground ladder (I'm getting much better at hiding my fear from my kids). Wait, does this sound like it'd be on my hate list? Nope, still love it.
2. How do you do it? Very carefully. Seriously, that's usually what I say. I pick my battles and I do my best. And if you want to call me Super Mom I'm okay with that. Oh, yeah, and most of the time my house is a complete mess. 
3. How old is he/she? Whenever I get this question I simultaneously get every single good emotion ever felt with my kids. I instantly remember all the fabulous times we've had together and usually answer way more than, "Oh, 4." Ask me this and I'll end up telling you way more details about my children than you were ever even interested in.
4. Does your husband help? Hell yes he helps! He's Daddy! His kids are his happiness just as much as they are mine. Plus the kids are way more compliant with bedtime for Daddy than they ever will be for Mommy. Gotta love bed-time-Dad.
5. How did you get here first? Although it's not often that I'm early, or even on time anymore, I love when I'm the first one to a play date or an event or a family gathering. I feel a great sense of accomplishment in getting the troops ready and out the door with time to spare. And I really love that you noticed, because it's not always the easiest thing to do.