What is it like having four- 4 and under?

Well month 1 went quite smooth. For us, four is not much different than three. I think three and four is easier than two. It might be because the first two matured a little more by the time Yasir and Zaire were born. I’m not sure but just Anaiah and Zariah together was always a fight. Maybe I matured as a mom. I really don’t know but things are a lot smoother.

Anaiah has been an amazing help. She wants to help which is the best part. She hands me things for the baby. Both girls check on him and  randomly tell me things like he is sleeping or crying. It can be annoying at times but overall it’s extremely sweet. Yasir loves him! He wants to kiss him and hug Zaire every chance he gets. That drives me crazy because I’m always afraid he will wake him up. But seeing the two of them together make my heart melt.

My biggest struggle is bedtime. The girls go to sleep in their room with no problem aside from the occasional requests for water (something about bedtime makes kids really thirsty), the bathroom, or playing. Yasir has not been sleep trained yet; completely my fault. We have been in transition for so long I didn’t get a chance. So he still cuddles to sleep. I also refuse to do the cry it out method. I’m not that tough lol. Zaire also wants to be held at the same time Yasir wants to be held to go to sleep. If I am alone or Hashim is working then I am holding both of the boys. Yasir however likes to move a lot when getting ready to sleep. He climbs all over me. This makes things very difficult. I have been wearing Zaire to put Yasir to sleep and it helps completely. Once we get Yasir sleeping like a big boy life will be bliss. At least that’s what I tell myself lol.

The other struggle is going somewhere. It takes us forever to leave. The girls dress themselves which is great... Until one comes out with their pants on backwards. I have to do everyone’s hair and feed everyone including the baby. Also making sure I am completely dressed and my baby bag is stocked for the day. Once we are out the door loading all six of us into the car is at least 10 minutes. Checking car seats and making sure we have everything and everyone is exhausting.

We have been making it work and getting it done. Trying things out and seeing what works and what doesn’t. I am so blessed and happy for my large family. We have so much fun!