Hiester Family Antics: How? And Why?

The Hiester Family in a nutshell - a big one, like a coconut or something

We are a family of a whole bunch of random people, thrown together in one small house, who all happen to look alike. Each member of our family was hand-picked by God... that's the only explanation for the saga that is our family. Here's the story from the beginning... My husband, Todd, was married before me. His wife's name was Carrie, and together they had 3 kids: Tyler, Kurstin & Elissa. Todd's parents were divorced and his mother remarried. Her new husband, Don, had 2 small children: Ally & Wesley. Their natural mother was killed in a car accident when they were 8 & 11. One year later, they lost their dad and Todd and Carrie took them into their home. 6 months after Ally & Wesley were added to the household, Carrie died of cancer at age 26. Her own children were 3, 6 & 9 and Ally & Wesley were 10 & 13. And Todd was alone with them. Think Lord of the Flies. So when I fell in love with Todd, I got these 5 kids as a bonus. We married about a year and a half into our relationship, with the kids as our wedding party. We made it all official with an adoption lawyer and lots of money, ensuring that we are LEGALLY their parents. They even had to take oaths saying they would perform the duties of sons and daughters, which I think means I have someone to change my diapers when the time comes! After 2 years of marriage we added Robben Carey to the mix. And now we've welcomed Livi Claire...the seventh, and final, Hiester kid (unless, of course, God has other plans). Todd and I are 37 and 35, respectively, and our kids range in age from 1 to 21. It's great because we're cool and always the youngest in a crowd of high school parents.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

How? And Why?

My boy. My teeny tiny 3 pound 5 ounce baby boy is no longer teeny tiny, no longer 3 pounds, and no longer a baby! My BIG boy is three today! THREE!!! How does this happen? How can he be THREE?? It makes no sense. Children his age go to school, for goodness sakes!! In some cultures his marriage might already be arranged! Why can't he be my baby forever?

Three years ago from today, I went to my doctor for suspicious swelling and sudden weight gain. A mere check, so I thought, to reassure me nothing was wrong, that this was just par for the course. Wrong-o. Three hours after my scheduled "check-up", Robben was born via C-section at 31 weeks 4 days. 3 pounds 5 ounces and 15.5 inches long! We spent his first Christmas and New Years in the NICU at Children's Hospital. 35 days later, on January 9th, we got to bring the gigantic 5 pound boy home on oxygen and monitors. Now, 3 years later, he is tall, brilliant, and unnaturally articulate. He puts thoughts together that blow the minds of all who witness. For example, last week he had a small stack of Ritz crackers and I helped myself to one. He asked me if I ate one of his crackers and I confessed. Always wanting to know WHY, he replied, "So my baby sister can grow?" Connecting the dots.

No matter how big and wonderful this kid gets, he will always be my baby. My Boo. My Punkin Pie. For now, I'm still magical to him. If he gets hurt, only a Mommy Kiss will do. If it's a lesser injury, such as stinging hands from catching a fall, he simply rubs them on my legs (or whatever body part is easily accessible) and it's all better. He gives great hugs and sometimes smothers me with his kisses. My heart breaks at the thought of this waning. On one hand I think, his affection doesn't really have to wane, but on the other, I realize his wife may have a problem with the extent of it :( Ahhh well, I'll enjoy it while I have it and try not to think about what will come later. Soon enough I'll be crying that he's 4.

Happy Birthday my Robben Carey!!