As with most Domestic Engineers (yep, that is what I'm calling it, that is what we are.) my world involves and revolves around my children. Breaks are infrequent and far between. Living away from family makes those breaks even more infrequent than I would like, but that is life. My children are always near me, and I am always with them.
Today while going to pick up my cold coffee cup I looked at the table it was sitting on, laughed and grabbed my camera.
My morning jolt was sitting next to a tool used to suck snot out of an infants nose, a golden (as in, this thing is the golden ticket to silence) pacifier, and a finger puppet with some type of food particles crusted on it. They are always close to me, at least something of theirs is.
Since the birth of Zane, my days seem to have expanded in workload and my time to just sit down has dramatically decreased. When sitting, it is not to take a break. I'm staring down at my handsome boy's eyes as he drinks from me, filling his belly with liquid heaven.
Very nearby sit the other three. They are not children that wander off to play by themselves, they are always with me, and very near to me.
Tantrums, fights, and anger always give way to smiles, hugs, friendly play, and giggles. That is life in our house (as in many). They turn to me in tears, looking and expecting comfort. Sometimes they turn away when their demand isn't met. No, you can't have a bowl of chocolate chips at 7:30am!
Reality sets in that Mom will not give in and piles of stuff are brought into where I am still nursing and the fun continues at my side.
Simple chores are doubled in time as my "helpers" are by my side. With four there are always at least two by me at any given time during the day. Bathroom break? Ha. Break is omitted because it is not a break, but just another thing that has that has a trail on little feet following behind. Doing makeup includes setting up a little station for Violette to put on hers and Noelle to also add some onto her pretty face. I look down at them and smile, knowing that these sacred moments of blush brushes being chewed on, lipstick smeared eyebrows, and misplaced hair accessories will be too soon over. They will give way to moody teenagers. For now, they are always near me. 
I may not get as much accomplished in the way of house hold duties that I would like, but having the children near me all the time forces me to let the laundry go another day and sit down with them. Holding the baby for a few extra minutes when he is in a smiley mood, or reading another book after reading ten in a row, or watching one jump off a stool in an attempt to fly, is priceless.
Noelle, Maximilian, Violette, and Zane are always near me and will forever be dear to me. The days of tripping on children as they play near me while cooking will be gone soon enough and I will turn around looking and wanting them there. For now I embrace every dirty diaper (well, that may be pushing it), tantrum, spit up covered clothing, and lack of alone time before it fades into distant memories.
Zane is growing as all babies do, way too quickly. He is solid. He is huge. He is a wonderful. His round cheeks are extremely kissable and we can't help but to smooch on him whenever possible. Noelle, Max, and Violette are always kissing on him and have been extremely wonderful with him. He is a great, easy going baby, sleep many hours in his crib. Yes, I wrote crib. The bassinet has been retired, although still in our room as I am not emotionally ready to pack it up yet. This weekend we put him in the crib, in Max's (now the Boy's Room) room. He slept very well and continues to do so. I am having a hard time with this milestone. Growth is emotional for me, but I'm savoring every moment I can with him, and ALL of them. 
The camera was put down the rest of the day unfortunately, so pictures are minimal. We indulged in cookies, food, and family. The children loved all their gifts and had a fantastic time with everyone. We hope they come back next year!
All the grandchildren received blankets that Grandma had made over the years. We all teared up thinking of her special hands knitting them with love. She enjoyed knitting and tried to teach us all at one point or another the craft. I was not able to ever pick it up, and wish that I would've spent more time practicing with her.
Noelle and Max jumped into the hot tub and thought it was the coolest thing ever. They were outside, in the snow, in their bathing suits, and weren't even cold! Many requests for large snow chunks were made as they plopped them in the hot water and watched them melt away. Noelle and Max have wanted a hot tub for awhile, but this just solidified their want even more.
