And That's All, Folks

Thanks to a little trip I took to the O.R. last week, it looks like our branch of the Wagner family is complete.  Don't worry, it was a planned trip :)  As with all decisions that have life-long implications, this one was made and carried out with a mix of emotions.  Marcus and I always talked about and assumed that we would have four children.  But, because of how physically challenging my first two pregnancies had been, it was very hard for me to even make the decision to try to get pregnant with #3.  I'm so glad I made it over that hump, because I am deeply grateful to have been blessed with a beautiful, healthy daughter.

But now, I am so very tired.  The transition from two to three has not been as emotionally challenging as one to two, but it has definitely been more challenging physically.  Lydia is an easy baby, but she is still a baby, and has lots of needs, day and night, and so do the boys.  Between parenting the boys and being pregnant/caring for Lydia, I have felt stretched way too thin since August of 2010.  So I've had to accept that, though I love the idea of having four children, it is not the right decision for our family as a whole.  Some people have suggested waiting a few years to have a fourth, when Lydia is closer to four and the boys are older.  But I personally don't want to take the risks of another pregnancy, in addition to starting the whole baby thing over again, when I am 35 or beyond.

Marcus feels the same way as I do about liking the idea of a fourth, but he is also very tired, and he is even more ready than I am to start enjoying some of the things that a family with a baby has difficulty enjoying: vacations, sports, anything that takes place in the afternoon (naptime), etc.  So the decision was made, I lost the coin toss (or was it a poker game?), and off to the hospital we went.  The procedure went off very smoothly, with the exception of a nurse who tried to place my IV 3 times before she gave up and solicited the help of someone who "was better at this."  Maybe next time we could start with the second guy?  I recovered in a few days and was good as new a week later.  And now I march forward, enjoying and investing in the three beautiful and amazing children that I have.

I wanted to let you know that I've decided to take a little break from blogging.  Don't know if it will be for a month or a year, but I do know that there is too much on my plate right now, and, as things are, time on the computer is time away from my kids.  Hopefully, when we get settled in Chattanooga and back into a routine, I may be able to pick up my pen once again.  But for now, I bid you, my small circle of faithful readers, a temporary, "Adieu."