Parents are officially outnumbered

This evening the whole family took Hazel to the airport for her return to Scotland. The kids were excited to see the process of leaving from an airport. But they were also sad to see granny go, especially Max. Max told us multiple times he did not want to take Granny to the airport. Then, sometimes he tried another tactic, that he would go with her. He held her tight the entire time. We helped her check her bags and get her tickets. We looked at a few planes. But granny was ready to get through security, and we had to Sarah goodbyes. After granny gave hugs to everyone, she went to walk towards the escalator that would take her down to the security checkpoint. Immediately Max starts to follow her. I apologize to the security lady there, and she was very understanding. We proceeded to get Max on the right side of the gate. He sat down on the floor and watch granny take the escalator down. He was very solemn, but he did not cry.

The return trip home prove challenging as Klarr cried in the backseat and there was no granny to console her. I eventually decided to stop the car and feed her. 

The real missing began only got home at 9 o'clock and it was bathtime for everyone and Claire was also very hungry. This is when I begin to realize what being outnumbered by children feels like. I'm extremely grateful to Hazel for allowing us to go 6 1/2 weeks after Claire's birth before officially being outnumbered by our children. 

We made it through bathtime with minimal tears. Ellie had a moment in the top but she was very sad granny had left. David to Caromax. And we can declare back and forth to the adult who was not most busy at the time. Clair even managed a quick bath.

As I was dressing Claire, Max came in and told me he did not want granny to leave because he likes her. I smiled and said I know you love grannie very much, but she needed to go back to Scotland to see the rest of her family. " But I missed her he says. She will come back tomorrow. She told me she would be here on Saturday." All I could do was look at him and hug him and tell him empathetically that it would be a while before Grannie came back, but she would.

As I was putting the kids to bed while trying to nurse Clair at the same time, Max began to demand Granny's return. I told him I understood, and I tried to be empathetic. Then, I suggested he lie down close his eyes and think about the fun times he's had with granny.

As I tried to leave the room so I could get to making Clair a bottle, Ellie says something along the lines of, " wouldn't it be nice if our house had three apartments attached to it and Grannie lived in one of them. And we could see her every day!"

It is now time for us to get on being a family of five and adjusting to being outnumbered. I have been looking forward to my maternity leave for about a year now. And I'm also scared of what Monday has in store for me as I begin life at home three alone. I know I can do it, but I know they won't get as much attention and love as they happen granny is here too. We all miss her!

On the way home from the airport I told David that I clearly remember Granny's departure the first time after each of the children was born. I always have mixed emotions about getting on with trying to care for my family myself, and missing her very much. She is so helpful and so good to us all while she is here. I hope that her visits are clear memories of lots of joy and love for the kids for the rest of their lives.