Older Kids

I remember being the mom with "just" two kids. One who was 21 mos. old and one who was a newborn. As my oldest two grew I was open to having more, but to be honest, not exactly looking forward to the chaos that would ensue with adding to the bunch. Moms of little ones are busy. Period. There's just no way around that fact. Toddlers and infants are a lot of work. I remember clearing a whole day to just get to the grocery store when I had one baby, or a baby and toddler to tote a long.
Enter number 3! When Gianna was born I was more than surprised to find that I had ample time of bonding with her and resting when I needed to. My previously attention-starved (or so they thought) oldest children were playing with each other. Packing the baby along to whatever we were doing seemed like nothing. Whenever I took just the baby anywhere it seemed like I was missing something. One kid? That's it?
Enter the newest baby. People always comment on how busy I am, how full my hands are, how they don't know how I do it. Truth be told? I've never felt so lazy in my life. My almost-not-toddler toddler and baby still keep me busy, but I have older kids. Wow! What a difference. The almost 8-year-old can help and be helpful. The 6 year-old does a pretty good job too.
A couple examples in case I still have some skeptics out there that don't believe me that having four children is easier than having two.
-someone always has someone else to play with
-if a couple of the kids are just not getting along, they can be separated, and still have a choice of a sibling to be around
-while I held the sick baby who was feeling rather needy my 8-year-old cut up olives, and grated cheese for the tacos we were having (he makes the oatmeal in the morning, and can make a mean breakfast of scrambled eggs, all by himself)
If you are still unmoved, the following will win you to "my side".
The whole house has been sick (cough, stuffy/runny nose, sore throat, etc). I haven't slept well for the past few nights because my baby can't sleep. This morning my oldest three children played, by themselves, while I napped with the baby for 2 1/2 hours! Oh glorious children! If you are a parent of young toddler or baby, I highly recommend getting yourself an older kid.