Monday, June 28, 2010

The Ebb and Flow of Family Seasons


If there's one thing I've learned in the years I've homeschooled, it's that change is constant. Just when I think things will stay the way they are, a baby is born, a move happens, or a once-loved curriculum doesn't work for the next child who might use it.

The way my four-year-old learns is worlds apart from what her fifteen-year-old brother needs. And my two Asperger's children need a different style of teaching and motivation from me than their siblings require. BUT, isn't that the real beauty of homeschool? I have the freedom to custom design education for my family's needs. What a true blessing!


Now, before any new homeschoolers read the above and despair, please be reassured that our individual family homeschooling styles can be lead and inspired by the Holy Ghost. Yes, the Lord really DOES care about what tools and timing we use for our individual children! In fact, we are entitled to this precious inspiration when the Lord calls us to bring our children home. Homeschooling is a wonderful-- though sometimes overwhelming-- calling, and like all such calls, the Lord qualifies those who are called to the work.



I have found comfort when viewing my homeschooling efforts in the perspective of seasons. Sometimes, lots and lots of learning gets done. The seeds of learning get planted, enthusiasm for knowledge sprouts and grows. Assignments get finished, and books get devoured. The homeschool harvest is abundant!


And then, at other times, life crowds in and changes throw rhythms into upheaval. I wonder if my children are learning anything at all! Babies need feeding, boxes need to be packed, children need to be run to rehearsals or multiple church activities. I look around and think, "What happened to all my well-laid plans?" But when I take a closer look, I can see that the lessons we learned in the days of abundance are being fortified, and are sinking into the soil of open minds and hearts. Spring will come again!


Another important discovery I've made in my homeschooling efforts, is that each individual child learns at a different pace and in their own time. Using the same methods, I have had early readers and later readers, math whizzes and confused looks. Quite often, the "one thing" that worked miracles with one child sends another child into fits of boredom or frustration. So I have to be flexible, be willing to take a few chances, and especially turn to our Heavenly Father for guidance.


It's amazing to me how often I will ask the Lord for help with a certain child, and I will find a friend who dealt successfully with a similar issue. Sometimes, I seek assistance from above in finding the book or curriculum I need, and I'll walk into a thrift store to find the exact item I needed sitting on the shelf. The Lord does provide!

One of the best gifts I have received from placing my family's education in the hands of our Heavenly Father, has been the peace that fills my heart and our home. Have things always gone smoothly? No. Are my children all perfect with high SAT scores and impressive college scholarships? No. (Not yet! *wink*)

But I have teens who love the Gospel, who help care for their younger siblings, who do dishes and make dinners, and participate in passionate discussions about the Constitution. I have little ones who love learning, who join in family scripture study and prayer, and who clamor for a good book to be read to them.

The plans and seasons that the Lord leads our family through have happened as gradually and beautifully as Spring eases into Summer. The ebb and flow of learning in our home goes in and out like the tides of the sea. Home learning, when left in the hands of the Lord, unfolds as beautifully and naturally as His greatest creations.

What a blessing, indeed!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

More Pictures!

The First Ten



Sweet Eryn




Winding Up...





Peek-a-Boo!




Tiny Feet





Tiny Hands





Big Sister Peek-a-Boo, too!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Baby Name 2.0




You know, even big, successful software companies get things wrong now and then...

*cough*microsoft*cough

So it shouldn't surprise anyone that I get things wrong once in a while...

ha-ha?

Okay, so we had a beautiful new baby girl, and we gave her a beautiful new name.

We tried it out for a few days.


And then we tried calling our sweet baby by her middle name. (Millie, for short...)

And now we've decided that while her beautiful middle name will DEFINITELY stay...

She needs a new first name.

*sigh*

Are any of you who know us surprised?!

I thought not.

(Remember the whole Gavin/Logan debacle?)



So, just to be clear...

Our baby girl's name is no longer UNA MILDRED. (We still LOVE it, but it just isn't "sticking...")

She's getting her daddy's FAVORITE little girl name of all time:



Eryn Mildred

Are you more confused than ever now?

Sorry. But we think this new name version will be much more functional for this baby's needs.

*GRIN*

We love you all! :-)

Friday, June 18, 2010

My Amazing and Beautiful Birth Story

My wonderful midwives, Stephanie (holding baby Una) and Kate


To begin with, I suppose I should revisit the beginning of this pregnancy. I was happy and content to have ten children-- I really thought I was "done." When I found out I was pregnant with another baby, I'm ashamed to say that I was less than thrilled.

I do LOVE babies-- there is nothing better in the world! In reality, it was the pregnancy and birth process that I was most anxious about. With birth #10, I had gone back to the hospital after three beautiful home births-- all because I did not want to deal with the reality and effort that natural birth brings. I had let fear take me back to being a "patient" who wanted to "be delivered" of my babies, instead of the strong, empowered woman that I-- and God-- know that I am.

So, here I was, nine months pregnant with precious baby #11. I have several relatives who were pregnant and due around the same time I was, and they were all looking forward to having their new babies. I, on the other hand, was still dreading the birth process. But I also knew that a natural home birth is what this baby needed, and what I needed to heal my fears and worries.

So God gave me the most amazing, beautiful birth experience I could ever have...

Saturday, June 12

I'd been feeling labor pains off and on during the week, but I woke up on Saturday feeling things were "different". I had lots of irregular, crampy contractions throughout the day. I'd time them-- 5 minutes apart, then ten minutes apart-- and then they'd fade away completely. My emotions were all over the place. I'd get excited and giggly, and then I'd begin to panic. I made mental notes of what still needed to be cleaned, and I slaved away on laundry. Russell blew up the labor pool, and helped me tidy up our bedroom.

The atmosphere at home was chaotic, because my three oldest kids had been gone to Scout Camp, to Girl's Camp, and on a High Adventure hike to Havasupai Falls that week, and they were all finally arriving home at different times on Saturday. I was breathing a sigh of relief that I had not had the baby while they'd been gone-- I'm sure I was literally waiting for them before I'd allow myself to begin laboring.

And now they were all home, safe and sound. There was nothing else to "wait for."

Saturday night, I went to bed feeling slightly defeated. All labor had ceased, and the day was over. I barked a few last instructions to the kids who needed to put away their camping gear, (I had forgotten that a grumpy mom is often a laboring mom...) and headed to bed.


My nightstand, ready to go, with my full water cup, some essential oils, and the Sears' "Birth Book"

Sunday June 13

12:45 am After a few hours of fitful sleep, I woke with a start. I was soaking wet! I jumped out of bed and hobbled to the bathroom. I knew that smell-- AMBIOTIC FLUID. After ten babies, I knew that smell with absolute certainty. I changed and cleaned myself up, and woke Russell. We debated calling the midwife, but in the end we decided that I should, even though the hour was late/early. She told me to stay clean, to sleep if I could, and to call her if contractions progressed.

I stayed up for an hour or two, watching the clock and timing my small contractions anxiously. The contractions stayed ten minutes apart, were very mild, and eventually drifted away to nothing at all. I went to sleep excited, and tried not to worry. It was now do or die-- this baby was coming soon! I looked forward to telling the kids in the morning...

Our ENORMOUS birth pool

6:30am I could no longer sleep and puttered around in my room. I doubled checked the birth supplies, and tidied up the bathroom a bit. I called my parents to tell them the good news. As the kids woke, I excitedly announced that my water had broken in the night, and that the baby should arrive soon. (I'd never had my water spontaneously break until the Transition phase of labor in any of my other births. I guess we all can learn something new!) The kids all rushed around, cleaning, and giggling. They all got themselves and the little kids ready for church, and we gave them instructions on behaving at church, and who needed to pick whom up from classes. (We live directly across the street from our church building, so we knew we weren't sending them off too far.)

8:00am My contractions were gone, doing nothing. I was still leaking fluid, but the contractions were completely gone. I was feeling so discouraged. I had stayed up half the night timing them, and I was sure I'd have a baby in my arms by now!

I called Stephanie, my midwife, to let her know how things were going. I bawled like a baby, and told her how upset I was. She heartily encouraged me to go to church with my family, and get the spiritual renewal I needed. This was the perfect thing! I dried my tears, waddled into the shower, and went to church with all my family. The meeting was so inspiring, and I felt renewed, though still a bit "off." I decided to go home after sacrament meeting to get some more rest.

The rest of the day went by slowly and peacefully, like restful sabbaths should. Russell gave me a priesthood blessing of comfort, and it was beautiful! I was promised that the baby would come soon, but in the Lord's timing, and that I would have a wonderful birth experience. Wow!!! I was also counseled to let things happen as they needed to. My impression was to "Sit back and enjoy the ride!" I felt surrounded by the love of my Father in Heaven and of my husband and children. I was going to have another blessed baby! All was well...



Grumpy me, Monday morning

Monday, June 14
Morning found me grumpy again. Nothing had happened in the night, and now I was no longer leaking fluid. No contractions, either. Had I only imagined it all? The kids were discouraged, too. And I was trying not to get worried. Wasn't there something about starting labor after 24 hours of my water breaking? I was being careful, and staying clean. The baby was moving well. I decided that the tear in the sac must have healed itself.

I kept Stephanie updated and confirmed my appointment for 11:30am that day. We all moped about, trying to stay motivated to clean. I finally got dressed and ready for the day, putting on makeup and doing my hair. Russell and I went to my appointment with Stephanie, where we gently refused the advice to go to the hospital. We were trusting in the Lord's plan for this birth, and we were doing all we could to be careful and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. The baby was very low, head pressed firmly on my pelvic bone. (ow!) The baby's heartbeat was wonderful, my blood pressure was perfect, and I was dilated 2cm, with my cervix being 50% effaced. Everything we were doing felt good and right. We knew that the Lord would keep His promises!

By early evening, I was having erratic contractions, ten minutes apart, then three minutes apart, then one hour apart. Every third or fourth one would hurt at a level of a 5 or 6 on a scale of 1 to 10. Then during one of these contractions, I felt a slight gush of my waters again. When I checked myself, I saw that the color was now green, which indicated that mecomium was present in the waters. I felt more urgently than ever that the baby needed to come soon. Mentally, I told myself firmly that I would do whatever it took to birth this baby-- including facing the feared impending labor head on. My baby needed me to be strong, and I could do it!

6:00pm
Russell had a big event that he'd been looking forward to for some time at 6:00 pm, so I told him to go ahead and go. I'd call if things looked like they were going to progress at all. (I was highly doubtful that these irregular pains would do much of anything "real".)

As soon as Russell left, I had one or two contractions at a level 7 or 8. And I was being pretty cranky with the kids. (That should have clicked with me! LOL!) After dinner, I asked the kids to gather with me in living room, where we would have Family Home Evening. I was feeling more and more uncomfortable, and felt like we should just have a short and simple "lesson." So we all gathered in a circle, and I asked each child to pray for me and for the baby, that all would be well, and that the baby would be healthy. Then I also threw in a request that they pray for me to "be strong." I was still not consciously accepting that I was in labor-- after all, there was no regularity to my contractions, and they were not getting closer together. But they were beginning to hurt, and I was starting to want to feel strengthened and confident.

Starting with our lisping 4 year old MacKenna (Grayse didn't want to pray this time), each child pleaded with our Father in Heaven for the safety and strength of both myself and the new baby. By the time Morganne, our eldest and last praying child, finished, the Spirit was overwhelming. A warmth and love seemed to wrap around all of us, and I was finally seeing that I truly in labor. It would not be long now. My oldest children gathered up the little ones, and I retreated into my bedroom with instructions for the littlest kids to go to bed.

I could not find my regular labor music on Russell's computer in our room, so I turned on a video of roses blooming that had some relaxing background music. I was opening myslef up mentally, physically, and spiritually to my birth. That seemed to make things progress even more.


Yeah, I know I said no belly pics... Don't laugh!
7:00pm
In my room, I called Stephanie and let her know that though the contractions were not regular, I was now in pain, and felt that she should come. Then I called Russell, and made it clear that I needed him home-- now!

I could feel that things were moving quickly, and I told the Lord in prayer that I was READY. This birth was in His hands, and I was willing to go the distance. Water was now gushing with each contraction, and I wanted to get in the pool. The contractions were getting closer together, and I was breathing and rocking through each one.

Russell arrived quickly, and filled the pool with warm water. Stephanie and her assistant Kate arrived soon after, and they busied themselves with setting the birth supplies out and getting everything ready. I remember them asking me only a few questions, and I remember being very short in my responses. I did want them to stay in the room with me, and no, I did not mind Stephanie knitting while I labored. I did note that the yarn she was using for the baby hat was pink. I inwardly wondered if it was for me or for someone else. I noted that Kate was sitting on the floor, and I could feel her sweet, gentle influence in the room. But otherwise, I was totally in the labor zone.

Because the pool was so big, I was having a bit of trouble feeling stable in it. Russell offered to suit up and climb in the pool with me, and that felt like the right thing to do. He insisted that he didn't mind, and it ended up being the wisest thing we could have done. (He later told me he felt prompted to do so three times before he mentioned it, and I had been wanting him to offer, but was too much in "lizard brain" to ask. What another testament to the fact that God cares about the details for our well-being!) I was able to lean up against him, and felt so comforted there.

Much sooner than I expected, I needed to vocalize through the contractions. I would move from sitting to all fours, and told Russell to pour water on my back or my belly through the contractions. (I was getting VERY bossy!) He patiently and lovingly did so without complaint. Sometime during all of this, Kate and my daughter Morganne were heating up our two big stockpots with boiling water. The hot water they added to the pool was both too hot, and yet comforting.

In what seemed like no time at all, I started losing control. I was in full "animal" mode, and told everyone present that I wanted the pains to STOP! I was rocking, crawling around in the water. I was vocalizing deeply and loudly. I was surprised that no one told me I was in transition, or smile or exchange knowing looks. They just quietly told me that it wouldn't be long now. Inwardly, I was thinking a million things:

"This can't be it, yet."
"Look, everyone is quiet. Is this really happening?"
"No one is asking me if I need to push."
"Don't they need to check me?"
"This hurts. Isn't anyone going to tell me what to do?"
"Should I change position?"

But there was such, peace, such calm. No one said a word. Finally, I turned my heart and thoughts back to God and tried to listen to my own body. I remember saying, "Body, what do you need me to do?" And somehow, thoughts came into my mind. I tried to push down all the feelings of self-doubt, and accepted that I was having this baby. I let myself feel the baby's head filling my birth canal, and yet I didn't panic!

I started praying out loud. I remember telling the Lord that I trusted Him and His plans for this birth. I told Him that I trusted my body.

I felt the baby move down even more, and I suddenly wanted to be sitting in the cradle of Russell's arms. In past births, I fought against feeling anything. But all of a sudden, I was feeling everything. I remember squeaking out "baby!" and "head!" I could not believe how peaceful I was able to feel even though the pain was overwhelming. I could feel God smile.


10:00pm
And then, the midwife was there, softly telling me to open, to loosen, to let go. And instead of fighting against the pain, I felt myself embracing it, working WITH it, letting it do its work. My mind was now fixed on her soft words. I was giving birth in a truer way than I ever had before. Never had I "pushed" this way. I was not gripping my ankles, I was not straining. I was opening, and my body was releasing my precious baby into the water.

Stephanie gently told me to touch my baby's head, and I reached down. It was oh, so soft, and small! There was lots of hair.

I fought the urge to be impatient that only the head was out, and I turned my mind to more of Stephanie's calm words:

"Wait."
"Slowly,Rachel."
"It's coming."
"There's a little hand by the head!"
"Now the shoulders..."

And I'm not sure if I said it, or just thought it, but I was saying:

"I'm having this baby!"
"Oh, my goodness, I'm having this baby!!!"

I saw the baby in the water, and I was being told to reach down and lift up my baby.

Time stood still.

I remember laughing, and feeling triumphant. And then I was gazing at a placid little soul in my arms, ( Oh, my goodness-- it's a GIRL!!!) rubbing her back, touching her ears, noticing a knot in the cord. (Her eyes-- whose eyes did she have? Poor thing, I think she has my nose.)


The Pink Hat, made by Stephanie during labor. (Baby came before she could finish it!)


She was here, she was perfect, and we had done it, together; Russell, the baby, the Lord, the midwives, and I.

It was an amazing and beautiful birth. God truly does keep all of His promises.

I felt Him smile.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Oh, Baby!



I am excited to record and share my birth story with everyone, but first I thought it would be best if I share the basics and some pictures of our beautiful new baby...




GIRL!

Last night, at 10:19pm, the newest member of our family arrived!



We are excited to welcome our new little one, measuring 20 inches long, and weighing only 7lbs. 2 oz. (Two whole pounds LESS than our last!). She has light, silvery hair, and rosy skin. She's getting lots of love and attention at our house!


We've decided to name her

Una (Oo-na-- A Welsh form of "Agnes", which is Rachel's Granny's first name)
Mildred (After Russell's grandma)



I'll post the amazing, wonderful, birth story in the next few days, but right now, I'm busy falling in love with
our sweet baby Number Eleven and getting lots of rest. (Or at least TRYING to...)

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes!!! :-)

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Families vs. What "The World" Has to Offer


This morning I read some unkind comments that a woman had posted about large families, and it has me thinking this morning. (You can read the comments and the rebuttals here.)

Mostly, I'm sad and disturbed that there are people out there that really feel this way about large families like mine. It makes me sadder than I can say. :-(

I want to honestly look at a few of these prejudices out there about large families, and add my two cents to the issue.

As I understand it, here are the main issues that concern some people, regarding large families:


1) Kids in large families have to sacrifice in order to share their personal space.

It's true, that in a large family, there is less private space for each individual. They have to share bedrooms (many times with more than one sibling) and may not ever know what it is like to have a room all to themselves.

My first response to this is, why does our modern society feel that individual children should be given their own room/television/computer/play system to occupy themselves with? Why is there such a push toward isolation for children? Why do people feel that there can be such a thing as "too much" family time?

I believe that selfishness is the scourge of recent generations. Selfishness fuels all that is wrong in our society today: abuse, unkindness, divorce, abortion, etc.. And I believe that we as parents reinforce the "virtue of selfishness" when we teach our children to think only of themselves, and their wants.

Even if I had only three or four children, I would expect my children to share their bedrooms with their siblings. Why? Because in so doing, they learn lessons about sharing, about patience, about respecting others. They learn that the world is a place to work with others, to find compromises, and solutions that bless others-- not just themselves.


2) The older children become babysitters for the little ones.

Yes. This DOES happen. But those of us with large families do this out of more than necessity. We also do this ON PURPOSE because we believe we are raising future parents! We don't want our children to be ignorant and helpless when it comes to caring for children, because we believe that children ARE the future. We hope our children grow up to start families of their own. We believe that strong, loving families are the building block of successful societies, and we feel called to train our children to be the builders of the next generation. So they learn to wipe noses, to respond to a child's cries of hunger, to change diapers, to dress and care for someone with real needs.



3) Large family households are chaotic.

This is sometimes true, but I also know plenty of small families with chaotic households. I'm afraid we large families don't have the corner on that market! So, yes, there can be bigger messes, but we large families also have more people to help clean up those messes. :-)

Children who do chores learn how to take care of themselves. They learn how to cook, how to clean, how to effectively run a household. Adults outside our family who work with my children always compliment me on the practical skills that my kids have. My children have learned to be good workers, and know how to effectively work together to accomplish something good. Are they perfect? No. But they are learning and are being trained in their home. Our goal is for them to be equipped to navigate their adult lives with confidence and competence.


4) Haven't You Ever Heard of OVERPOPULATION???

I've had a few comments of this variety on my other blog, and I am surprised at how stubbornly so many people hold on to this unproven theory. In fact, this idea has been DIS-reputed over and over again, using mathematics and statistics, yet the general populace insists on defending and repeating this dogma in lock-step!

Here are some ACTUAL statistics* for you:
  • In order for a culture to maintain itself for more than 25 years, there is a required fertility rate of 2.11 children per family.
  • A rate of 1.3 children per family is impossible to reverse itself, because it takes 80 to 100 years to correct itself.
  • As of 2007: the fertility rate in France was 1.8; the rate in England was 1.6; the rate in Greece was 1.3; Italy was 1.2; and Spain was 1.1
  • In Europe, there is one group of people who do have a higher birth rate than the natives of each of these countries. Muslim immigrants have a fertility rate of 8.1 children per family in France, for example.
  • Canada's fertility rate is 1.6
  • Here in the United States of America, our current fertility rate is also 1.6 (With Latino immigration, the rate increases to 2.11).
The blog of another "Mom of Many," had this to say:
In an editorial review of the secular book, Empty Cradle by Phillip Longman the following is noted:

“Overpopulation has long been a global concern. But between modern medicine and reduced fertility, world population may in fact be shrinking - and is almost certain to do so by the time today's children retire. The troubling implications for our economy and culture include: The possibility of a fundamentalist revival due to the decline of secular fertility.”

Interesting. Some of them are noticing we’re multiplying—and they’re afraid.

Interestingly, while God’s people were slaves in Egypt, the Egyptian Pharaoh made the same observation as Mr. Longman and he grew fearful. In Exodus chapter 1 we read:

"But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we…”

Of course, when Longman speaks of the “troubling implication” of a “fundamentalist revival” he is not simply referring to Christians; he’s referring to any religious group that is having children—lots of them. But, the fact remains: another demographer is noticing that secular folks (and Christians who think like them) are shrinking in numbers.

Birth control, homosexuality, abortion, and women pursuing careers rather than marriage all contribute to the declining birth rate. Rather than view children as the blessing Scripture tells us they are, they are seen as “just another mouth to feed,” or as a burden that gets in the way of our personal goals.

Here are two videos that I think spells out the myths behind over-population very well:







I sincerely feel called to bring children into the world, into a loving home where they are taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

From where I stand, some of the disgust that people have for large families comes from a difference in priorities. To many, a big house, complete with a bedroom for each child, is a necessity. They feel that they simply cannot do without the newest model cars, designer clothes, convenience foods, and endless entertainment budgets.

Those of us with large families feel exactly the opposite. We willingly sacrifice the world's material goods in order to bring more children into our families. And by so doing, we are teaching our children what is really important.


The choices that each of us make in our lives strongly effect the next generation. Actions and example speak louder than words, and I hope we are telling our children loud and clear that THEY are more important than material goods.

As I believe they truly are. :-)



* You can read about national birth rates by scrolling down on this page to the Demographic Data Estimate charts

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

It's Another Wednesday!

To start off, I'm posting pictures of our new tile floors. Yay!!! We're really loving them, especially now that the temperature is on the rise. (111 degrees this week!)


They not only tore out all the Pergo in the kitchen and laid 18 inch tile, they also did the front entryway, by our back door, down the hall, and in the kids' bathroom. We're feeling pretty spoiled around here! :-)


(Photo by Brennan-- this was a Happy Day!)

And in pregnancy news, I'm feeling pretty typically "almost done." I have up days and down days, grumpy days and days with spurts of energy.

When I went to bed last night, I felt GREAT! I'd gotten a lot done, and it was nice to go to bed feeling like I accomplished something. I went to sleep by ten, and was planning on getting up early so I could get one or two things done outside before the temps went volcanic.

So much for well-laid plans! LOL! I didn't wake up until seven, and felt like I'd been run over by a truck. Weird! Oh, wait-- I'm nine months pregnant. It's all weird right now! *hee!*

Monday was my weekly midwife appointment, and it went well. I told Stephanie (the midwife) that I'd been really sleepy and wondered if my iron was okay. So she offered to gently stick my finger and run a quick test. The first results had such a high iron count, that she thought we ought to repeat it. We did, and it was the same! Woot! My blood pressure was also near-perfect. *beaming proudly*

It's funny-- too bad I can't take credit for being healthy! LOL! (Thank you, Mommie, for passing down your perfect blood pressure genes... *grin*)

Baby is looking good, even though he/she isn't as active as he/she used to be. There's not much room left in there...

In other news, Avalon turned 18 months old and attended Nursery for the first time. The experience was a rousing success, though she started out class time looking around at me and her leaders as if we'd all gone mad. (You mean, I'm now free during church to run around and play with toys?! Woah...)

Until next time...

Saturday, June 05, 2010

Popsicle-Maker Drawing (Yum!)

Yes, I'm entering this fun drawing-- cold popsicles would taste so good this summer! ;-)

Jen at Whole Food Kids, 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven, 365 Days of TV-Free Toddler Time, Mega-Family Blogs, and life in mexico {and other places} a picture a day, is giving away a Zoku 7-Minute Pop Maker!

Photobucket

And just in case you don't know any awesome Popsicle recipes, she's throwing in THIS book, too!

Photobucket

This entire package is worth over $60! To enter, go HERE.

Friday, June 04, 2010

Snaggletooth

My baby boy has finally done it.


He lost his front tooth.


He was very proud. (Kindly note the skinned elbow.)


What happened to my baby?


He's now progressed beyond even Peter Pan, losing his baby teeth, and all...


"Oh, the Cleverness of Me!"

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Pregnancy Update-- 38 Weeks

Where did the time go?

This is my baby. Well, my almost-eighteen month old baby. She has grown up so fast in the last few months!


Yes, I know I've been down this road a time or two, so it should be no surprise to me that babies grow. But with my oldest kids getting so big, I am finally understanding what wise mothers have been telling me for years; enjoy them while they're little!


The days do fly by too fast. *sniff*


Today, I am officially 38 weeks pregnant. In other words, I could "go at any moment!" But before anyone gets a panicked look on one's face as they back away slowly, take heart. I've never gone into labor on my own before the dreaded "due date."

Frankly, I'm just not feeling "ready" to have this baby yet. I do have all my supplies ready and waiting, my bedroom is almost all organized and ready to go (with the exception of some laundry "dregs" that need to be put away), and I'm having all the lovely false labor that helps my body get ready.

But as far as my head goes...? I guess I still have a few things to work out. I'm not sure if I'm:

A) Feeling fear because labor hurts, and I hate feeling out of control there at the end,
B) Still in denial about not being finished with ten babies, like I thought I was,
C) Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of taking care of a newborn again, or
D) All of the above!

I think I'll have to go with "D".

I'm sure I'll eventually get my head straightened out, and then the baby will come, and everything will fall into place where it should be.

But for now, I'm puttering around, cursing due dates and creaking hips, and grinning each time the baby kicks.

And hugging baby #10, because soon, she'll be so grown up...