I went down to the child care centre I had chosen to send Darby to, to drop of his paperwork. It’s been sitting on various horizontal surfaces for a couple of weeks now. I was in no hurry as I had been told there were no spots available on the mornings I wanted.

Turns out, an hour before I got there, a spot became available every Thursday morning and every second Friday morning.

You know those moments in your life where you feel like things were just meant to be? This was one of those moments. It’s not a big thing, but it’s a thing that was on my list that has worked out exactly how I had hoped.

I’ve had a lot of guilt around sending my kids to childcare over the years. I don’t work so surely it’s my job to take care of my children 24/7 right?

The thing is if we were near family, I dare say my parents would have one or two of them for a few hours here and there. But I don’t have family nearby so this is the next best thing. I need a break to recharge and just get stuff done without the kids “helping”. I am very grateful that Hubs gets it too.

I think the guilt will always be there (maybe until they are all in school??) and over the years I have learnt to own my decision. I certainly don’t judge other mums who “don’t work” for putting their kids in childcare. I think I’ve put off putting him in care until now because quite frankly he’s so easy to have around. And he’s just at such a cute age where he repeats everything the older two say and do. It’s too adorable.

I know that I will fill the time with mostly essential mundane tasks that just have to be done but I will also be making an effort to have coffee with friends when I can as well. Hubs does call me a latte mum so I need to live up to my title!

Chance has been kicking a lot of behaviour goals lately and is making us very proud, and my day-to-day life a bit easier. Most of the time. Anyway when he asked if I could build him a paper aeroplane while he was asleep tonight I was happy to say yes.

To be honest, I feel like I’ve been saying a big fat no to most of his requests lately, so it was nice to answer yes for a change. He chose which one he wanted and once the kitchen was done and the kids were asleep (usually happens between 7:15 asks 7:45pm most nights) I got to work.

This was his plane of choosing

That would hopefully end up looking something like this

Using only these

And following these instructions

I couldn’t even tell you how many of these little friggers I’ve made over the last 18 months or so. Maybe 30? Not to mention the paper trains. But they are heaps easier (and far less impressive!)

They recommend craft glue but who’s got time for that!? Super glue is where it’s at – instant bond! Granted sometimes it’s my finger instantly bonding with the paper but I’m getting better at it.

The finished product? I smashed this one out in 18 minutes.

Pretty happy with this one. The best bit will of course be when Chance wakes up and I can tell him where to find it.

Remember, it’s the little things.

Riddle me this. Why is it, that everyone has an opinion on pregnant women’s bellies? It’s like they are public property or something. As soon as you announce pregnancy, or people rudely assume it (sometimes incorrectly thanks very much), all of a sudden you’re fair game for comments, judgement and the occasional compliment. All I seem to be hearing at the moment is how the heat must be awful for me because clearly I’m so huge and therefore must be very uncomfortable, how I must be crazy to go back for a fourth baby (apparently I’m the first in history or something?) and the question of how long I have to go, because apparently I’m “huge”.

Huge compared to what, please tell me? Huge compared to the other 10 people you know who are the same build as me, at the same stage of their fourth pregnancy, were the same weight before pregnancy, and have the same lifestyle as me?

No, I didn’t think so.

Huge compared to your sister who is a size 10 with her second baby who sports a tidy bump and still manages three sessions of crossfit a week? Good for her! All power to her! I’m not her!

Huge compared to how you remember you were with your pregnancies? Because I can tell you for a fact, that you never really remember correctly.

Seriously! I don’t need the constant reminder that I look like I’m nearly full-term, even though I’m “only” 26 weeks. I got asked at 18 weeks how long I had to go for goodness sake. I informed the person asking that I was still counting up the weeks, not counting them down. I actually think that was the first comment of “wow you’re huge” I got for this pregnancy.

And quite frankly I don’t need to hear it. And you know why? Because I  know I’m not a small person, and I’m okay with that. I go to fit mums three times a week to work out, and boy do I work hard there. Yes I like yummy food and probably too much of it, but I try to be careful with what I eat most of the time, so I can have the energy to run after my little brood.

Dear well-meaning person, I don’t need your comments. Yes I’ve probably put on more weight than other people by this stage, but I’m feeling really good about myself at the moment. Don’t defend your “well-intentioned” comments, dumping them at my feet only to walk away.

Here’s some things that you can say:

1. Wow you are positively glowing!
2. Your arms are looking really toned and tanned. Have you been working out?
3. You must be so excited about another baby
4. I’m really happy for you – you must love being a mum (I paraphrased, but thanks Nan.)

Here are some things I don’t need to hear:

1. You must be crazy going back for another one!
2. You are going to be so exhausted when the new baby arrives
3. You’re not having any more after this one, right?
4. Haven’t you worked out how babies are made yet?
5. Wow you’re huge!

You can keep those thoughts to yourself, or feel free to talk about me behind my back when I leave. I really don’t mind. Just seriously, stop telling me how huge I am. I know it and I don’t mind a bit.

All this fabulousness does not come easy you know.