middle child Archives - Nesting Story

Triple Flip Haul And Giveaway!

Being the middle child of four kids can be tricky. Being one of three girls in the family can be even harder at times. That is why I make sure I carve out very specific one-on-one time with each of my kids… especially our five-year-old, Beau.

When the children’s clothing and accessories store, Triple Flip approached us asking Beau if she wanted to go for a mini shopping spree at their store, she and I jumped at the opportunity!

Beau was excited about all of the fun colours, textures and patterns that Triple Flip is known for, and I was excited to add some quality pieces to Beau’s wardrobe, knowing that her two little sisters would one day be receiving these hand-me-downs.

Walking into Triple Flip’s Oakville, Ontario location, we were immediately blown away by everything from their sparkly sunscreen to their fresh and colourful summer accessories. Oh, and of course the clothes!

After doing a few laps around the store I was able to narrow Beau in on a very special outfit which included Triple Flip’s wildly popular Minky Bubble Hoodie in Spring Tie Dye Green. Check out the video below of our entire shopping experience!

When we finished shopping, Beau decided to wear her new outfit home, so the friendly staff cut off the tags for her. As soon as we left the store, Beau began to inform me that she was no longer five-years-old. She was now a ten-year-old dance instructor named Clara who teaches class B.

I played along struggling to keep a straight face while I was beaming inside at Beau’s new-found confidence. This new outfit truly made her feel empowered.

Here’s your chance to win $50 off your own Triple Flip online purchase by entering our Instagram contest!

Here are the rules:

Follow Triple Flip and Nesting Story on Instagram
Tag three friends in the comments section of Nesting Story’s Instagram post that you think would like to be entered
The winner will be selected randomly and announced on Nesting Story’s Instagram page post on Monday June 27th
Contest open to Canadians and US residents only

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Triple Flip. While clothing was provided, all opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of the opinions of Triple Flip.

Remembering The Forgotten Middle Child

As we sat waiting for my niece’s first communion to start, I watched as Beau, our five-year-old, middle child squirmed in her seat. We had opted to have a babysitter watch our twin toddlers that day since this event was during their nap time. It was rare that I was out with Beau and her older brother Holden, without having to fuss over their younger sisters.

I reached over, picked Beau up, and placed her on my lap. She immediately cuddled into me as I softly kissed her forehead, rubbed her back and played with her hair.

We sat like this for a while, uninterrupted. She had my undivided attention, which was something she almost never gets.

Instead of complaining about how long the ceremony was, or racing around and then melting down like she usually would, she sat so still. Her breathing matched mine, and I could feel her lapping up every second of attention and affection.

Although this moment melted my heart, it also made me so sad.

Having four kids is so wonderful in more ways than I can count. But there is a lot of jugging involved. I do my best to spend time with each child and fit in as much one-on-one time as possible. But unfortunately Beau is the forgotten child.

Beau was a surprise. Before Holden turned one, we had been discussing when we might have our second, only to find out a day after Holden’s birthday that the decision was made for us.

As my belly grew, issues with Holden started cropping up. He was having a very hard time enjoying life, and had a glaring language delay that we had to address.

My pregnancy with Beau was a blur. I only can recall a few moments, and Mike maybe felt her kick once, because we were so preoccupied with Holden.

The day Beau was born is a vivid memory. One that I will cherish for the rest of my life. It’s not the easy labour, or delivery that has taken up a large space in my heart. It is after Mike left to be with Holden and for what seemed like endless blissful hours without any visitors, I held Beau and just enjoyed my girl.

That day in the church with Beau resting her head on my chest reminded me so much of that first day together in the hospital. I just enjoyed my girl.

Beau was always great at entertaining herself, fiercely independent and ready to go with the flow. From a young age we relied on her tough-as-nails personality and ability to adapt, as we focused on guiding Holden out of the dark.

When Beau was 11-months-old, she had the flu. Although she had been sick multiples times in one day, she didn’t seem too bothered by it. She had a placid look in her eyes, and although I was aware she was ill, I didnt think it was anything urgent. So, we went on as usual.

As the day came to a close, I stopped in my tracks, realizing that Beau hadn’t had a wet diaper all day.

I rushed her to the hospital, and sure enough, Beau was very dehydrated and needed IV fluids. Even as a team of doctors poked Beau for two hours, trying to find a vein, she barely whimpered.

My heart broke for my little girl. I kept thinking, “if only she had complained.” From that day on, whenever I see that placid look in Beau’s eyes, I know to monitor her closely, otherwise she will fly under my radar.

Beau growing up so far is a blur to me. At least up to when our twins were born, when Beau was three-and-a-half. That is when she found her voice, and started to make sure she was heard.

That voice, has many times brought me to my knees. She can drive me crazy, be so stubborn, and is easily the loudest person in our house.

It took her a little while, but she is now carving out her place in the world (and this family) in a big way.

Although she can be trying sometimes, I am grateful that she has become such a force. It’s not easy being the middle child. I know. I was her too.

For a long time, I always compromised, apologized, kept the peace and flew under the radar.

I applaud Beau for insisting the sky is green when we tell her it’s blue. For turning up her volume when we ask her to take it down a notch. And for being the pack leader among all four of our kids.

The days following our lengthly cuddle, I noticed a shift. Beau was still loud, and still leading the pack, but her meltdowns were almost non-existent. Her emotions didn’t always resemble a rollercoaster, and a calm confidence started to emerge.

Since that day, I am remembering the forgotten child. I am not only relying on our occasional one-on-one time together, or our bedtime routine to connect. I am grabbing her as she bounces by, multiple times each day, and sitting her on my lap, as I softly kiss her forehead, rub her back and play with her hair.

Watch as Beau has found her place….

The Destructive Child

I am interrupting my scheduled blog posts to use Nesting Story as my therapy.

I have been doing a lot of deep breathing lately. No, I have not taken up meditation or yoga (although I probably should), I live with a three year old.

My daughter Beau joined our family smiling and full of life and laughter when we needed it most. She has an incredible way of cracking me up, like the time she yelled to me in the middle of Walmart “Mommy, remember how I used to drink from your boo boos?” or when she will spontaneously do a hilarious imitation of either someone’s voice or a funny character.

She is also the most incredible little ballerina. Her natural dance ability is astounding! She does not get it from her daddy or I, we do not have a rhythmic bone in our bodies. I could watch her dance for hours. But what comes with all of that vibrance and energy is this insatiable need to destroy. Hence her perfectly anointed nickname from her cousins: Beau The Destructor.

Do you remember as a kid having those AMAZING ideas that were so imaginative and so original but required some property damage? Like the time my little sister and I hid out in our next door neighbour’s yard for a week while they were on vacation and created a club house complete with decorating by ripping up their entire rose garden? Beau has those ideas multiple times a day.

The day we arrived home with her twins sisters from the hospital I was able to take our fresh new babies right up to their nursery after quickly greeting their brother because we were told by the babysitter that Beau was having a nice long nap. Perfect timing I thought. I proceeded to settle in for a tandem nursing marathon. I started to think it was a little odd that I could hear muffled whispers and vacuuming from down the hall. I decided to venture out of the nursery to see what was going on. As soon as I opened the door the smell walloped me… baby powder. Beau had been entertaining herself in her room by shaking out an entire large bottle of baby powder. She even managed getting it into every crevice of every toy. She has it down to an art. Of all the days to pull a stunt. To this day I am still impressed with how well Mike kept his cool.

Since baby powdergeddon Beau seems to always be trying to one up her last masterpiece.

Recently Beau decided to get out some nail polish and give her teddy a pedicure. She kept it tidy so we laughed it off and told her not to do it again. The next day Mike and I were enjoying a nice visit with his parents in our kitchen and thought Beau was playing quietly in our playroom. As Mike’s parents were leaving and heading towards the door the audible gasps started to escape all of our mouths. Picture a horrific crime scene, only the pools of blood and splatters on the wall was nail polish and gooey lip gloss. It is with a heavy heart to tell you that Mike Wazowski didn’t survive the massacre.

The days that Mike is at work and Beau is home, the most peaceful showers I have is when Beau is at the door banging and yelling for me. It is a scene right out of the Shining, but at least I know exactly where she is. Today as soon as I turned the water off and stepped out of the shower it was eerily quiet. “Beau???” I called out. That’s when the door opened and me standing there still dripping wet screamed! Yes, that’s right she has now mastered lock picking. I am just praying she doesn’t have a future in B and E’s.

The last few days have been a small improvement. I have not let Beau out of my sight, and have doubled the amount of activities I would typically provide for her each day. Beau is like an energetic lab puppy; if you don’t walk her 50,000 times a day she will eat your sofa. It’s been exhausting and I am counting down the days until September, when she starts Kindergarten.

End rant.

I’ll let Beau dance us out…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyYKrJvf2Y8&feature=youtu.be

Sorry for the vertical angle, my bad!

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