A Rose by Any Other Name...

So after much thought, (and an all too agreeable husband) we have decided on a name for our new little family member who is arriving next year.

Rosalyn Gabrielle.

Or "Rosie", as we plan on calling her.

Of course this all pivots on the assurance of the ultrasound technician that the baby is a girl. We do not plan on using this name for a boy.

Learn Something New Everyday...

Sammy decided to take off his diaper while "napping" in his crib today. This is a first for him, and as much as I'd like to applaud his ingenuity and learning curve, what he removed was stinky and very messy. Although I have had to deal with this kind of mess before with the twins, the difference here was that he didn't like the mess he had made. He seemed quite upset about the whole thing before and after clean up. The worst having to do with his favorite blanket now needing a wash, and therefore out of his tender grasp.

Growing, Growing, Gone...

Today I went out into the garden and cut the trees back. I am trying to make a hedge of fruit trees and to do so, I am suppose to trim the trees during the summer to help stunt their growth. The goal is to not let the tree get any taller than 6-7 feet, and to encourage lower limbs to fill in. It will take a few years to get the results I want, but I am excited to think of how it will look when it's done.

Doughnuts, Anyone?...

So I've discovered that while most all foods make me feel sick, glazed doughnuts are the exception. After weeks and weeks of trying to find healthy foods I could eat, I am a little disappointed to be eating doughnuts. My nurse mid-wife told me it was ok as long as when the morning sickness goes away we work hard on eating healthy food.

I have tried a few different stores to find just the right doughnuts. Surprisingly, the "Doughnut Store" (whom I won't name by name) had the worst, driest doughnuts, and the most expensive at a dollar a doughnut. The best and cheapest ones come from my local grocery store. You would think a grocery store would have more important things to do than make good tasting doughnuts, but I guess you'd be wrong. Twelve doughnuts for three dollars. And did I mention that they taste good!

Having used up my last doughnut while writing this blog, I shall endeavor to make a trip to the store today. After all, I wouldn't want to be doughnutless tomorrow.

One in the Hand, is Worth Two in the Bush...

Or so I've heard.

Well, in my hand I hold a little picture of a new little Baby. Though only a gray image of an ultrasound I had yesterday, I am still in awe of my new little friend. After sending one back to God earlier this year, I was unprepared for the feelings of relief I felt after seeing and hearing the baby's heart beating. Life is precious no matter how small or how young or how unreachable.

At nine, almost ten weeks, I am due to deliver on Uncle Sam's favorite day...Tax Day (although I don't plan on naming the baby Sam).

I am thinking about naming him or her "Ricky" or "Bessie", but I will have to get Joe's thoughts on the matter.

So I guess we will have to wait and see...

I Think My Head is Aching...

With school time fast approaching,
so soon I will be coaching,
ready knowledge for the poaching,
on the subjects we'll be broaching.

Morning Sickness...

Enough said.

An Unexpected Email...

Today I woke up and checked my email (something of a routine for me since I got an Ipod). I almost overlooked an email that was sure to be spam. But for some reason I decided to open it and take a look anyway. To my surprise it was a legitimate note from someone I had met over bananas in Sprouts a few months back. She had tracked me down via a comment I had said about a meet-up group I used to attend. Contacting the meet-up leader, she was able to procure my email. And then with the courage of a lion, she sent me an email hoping that I was the one she had bantered over bananas with. Yes! It was me! And I remembered it too (I'm not always at my best while shopping with the kids). So now we are attempting to arrange a get together. I guess you just never know. The people you were polite to yesterday, may be the friends you spend time with tomorrow.

The First Visit...

I liked the Nurse-midwife. I guess I just felt a little disappointed that it was just like going to the Dr.'s office. Don't get me wrong, the service was much better! It just seemed very Dr. "officey". Time however, was definitely handled differently. Instead of waiting an hour for an appointment I showed up early for and then being seen for only 10 minutes, I waited only 10 minutes and was see for over an hour. What an improvement! I have another appointment at the end of this month, in which I will see a different midwife that works there. I guess the idea is to see every midwife at least once during your pregnancy so that you are familiar with them all and can better request which one you would like to attend your birth. The possibility also exists that your preferred midwife may be busy with another birth and you will get one of the other midwifes on staff. So it does help to get to know all of them. So far, so good.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

After having six kids with doctors in hospitals, I feel ready for a change. I just can't stand the thought of repeating the same old run again. This time I am going to hire a midwife. I have been looking into midwifery since I was pregnant with number six, but I just wasn't ready to make the jump then. I'm ready now. The goal is to have a certified nurse-midwife deliver my baby in a hospital. I really want to have a home birth, but I feel like that maybe to far of a jump. Baby steps...Hopefully if this goes well the next time could be at home (and yes we would be willing to have more). I have my first appointment with a midwife this Friday. I am starting with a medical group that has 3 obgyns and 4 midwives on staff. That way if I needed a Dr, one would be available. I am really hoping it goes well and I like them.

Lucky Number Seven...

So last week I discovered that I am expecting baby #7! This is of course very exciting news in our house, and Eddie and Katie are already speculating on whether it will be a boy, girl, or twins (you have to think of twins once you've had a pair).
Eddie likes the idea of adding another girl, due to the boy-girl pattern (he really likes patterns and systems).
Yesterday, per Katie's request, she and I looked at a baby name book together for about 5 minutes (I think the quantity of names available was a little overwhelming).
Jon thinks we should name the baby "Jeep Cracklelarry". Yeah, not quite what I had in mind.
And so far the only response I have gotten from the twins is Ellie looking at my tummy and Maggie saying "no" when they were told that there was a baby in mommy's tummy.
Sammy just smiled, although that might have been because it tickled when I whispered it in his ear.
Looks like it's going to be a very busy 8 months, and another November baby!

To Tell The Truth...

Tonight at dinner Ellie complained of a pain in her cheek, and Maggie started chanting, "Mommy did it, Mommy did it, Mommy did it". So Daddy asked Ellie if she hurt her cheek, and Ellie replied "Maggie did it". To which Maggie chanted louder, "Mommy did it, Mommy did it, Mommy did it" and pointed to Mommy.

Mommy was on the other side of the table. Maggie however was sitting right next to Ellie.


So who was telling the truth...Ellie or Maggie?

All I can tell you is that there were two older and wiser adults having a really hard time stifling giggles.

Learning To Live Below Our Means...

Trying to become debt-free, is not easy. I just don't see myself as one who spends much on extras.

But being the one in charge of the finances, I have to make the money go as far as possible. That being said, stopping the use of credit cards is hard. I have been in the habit the last few years of using, then paying off my two credit cards. The end result though, is that I start the year without any debt on the cards but little by little I spend more than I can pay. So any tax return money or bonus money have to go to clearing the cards. So this year I have put the plastic down. I am going to try to live within our means, and hopefully end up living below our means. I see food as the first front. With six kids and a husband to feed in addition to myself, about a third or fourth of our monthly budget goes to food. That's too much. I tried coupons, but we just don't eat most of what they are for. So now I am trying bulk meat cooking. The idea is to buy sale, cheap meat in huge quantities and then to cook it all up right away and freeze it. Then you only have to defrost and reheat. So far (I've been doing this since January) I don't know if it's saved me any money, but it sure has saved me time! I am also trying to do a better job gardening. We have had a really great broccoli harvest and I hope to get lettuce and carrots too.

So we will see...

Busy, With a Side of Quiet...

This morning Katie and I made gluten-free, dairy-free peanut-butter cookies. This of course took up an hour of school time.
It can make me feel a little stressed when I think about the things we're not getting done, but perhaps the moments spent as mother and daughter are worth the loss of a little productive book learning and house cleaning.

So I guess I need to stop and smell the cookies...

Life With All The Trimmings...

A new year, another month down, and life plods it's way forward. The tomorrows come so quickly now, the yesterdays almost forgotten in their wake.

I am often struck by the passing of time I see in the children. Long legs and knowing glances, moments of their future seen peeking out from behind thoughtful eyes. And then just as quickly it's gone and their youthful exuberance bursts forth once again.

My life is full of moments that blend into days. Like a good country road it meanders in places and I find myself enjoying the view, while at other times the blur of the trees leave me wondering when I'll arrive at the next stop.

It is both peaceful and busy at all times, the constant hum of life surrounding me while satisfaction and contentment give me peace.

I am thankful to my Creator, and His abundant gifts and blessings in my life. May I remember Him always with a grateful heart.