Not The Brightest Apple....

Mama (yelling):  Ok, everybody... time to get our school work finished!  Up and at 'em!  Let's go!
(I wander off to check my e-mail... and notice that I am being gmail "chatted" by my own son.)

SPORTS FAN!!!!  Get down here!
(he comes waltzing downstairs....)

Why are you on the computer??  Didn't you hear what I said?

Sports Fan(incredulously):  How did you know??


:P

The Craziness of our Days

I want to remember this time... this blessed time when my entire life is ruled by a little man who is not yet two feet tall.  Who cannot even hold his own head up, and spits up constantly.  Who cuddles and snugs and makes the funniest faces when trying to wake up... and who is the center of our universe these days.


We are in survival mode here in the Nut House.  Those of you with little ones right now know (and are living out!) exactly what I mean.  Other Mamas of littles now grown will nod in remembrance.  It is a crazy time.  But a blessed time of crystal clear priorities...

~The baby is screaming, he must be picked up/changed/fed/held/rocked.

The dishes can wait.

~The children need some family time.  Some games/movies/mom-and-dad/special time....

The laundry can wait to be folded.  Need something? Look in the clean basket.

~Mama needs a shower today.  No, really, it has become a priority.  ;)

The vacuuming will be done later.  Please hold Little Dude, and pass him to another older sibling if he fusses.

~Nap time! Which equals tv time!

Yes, I know the children have been watching all morning.  One more hour this afternoon won't rot their brains too much.  I just need them in one place so I can rest and not worry.



And so it goes.  Our housecleaning is haphazard at best.  DH is trying not to do absolutely everything.  He is such a do-er though.  And the kids are being rallied to constantly step up more and more to help him out.  Sat night their reward was a trip to the movies, how DH managed to stay awake after running errands all day is beyond me.

I stayed home and snuggled with Little Dude.  Because that is all I can manage to do these days.

That is my A- #1 Top Priority.

And I'm going to treasure it for as long as I can....

:)

While I Wrestle With The Written Word...

... in composing Little Dude's birth story...

I thought we were overdue for a wee bit of updating.

Here is our little man, as of yesterday....

He absolutely consumes me.  Constantly in my arms, I hardly ever put him down.  Most of this is by choice, of course, but I also anticipate some fussy days ahead.  (actually got a taste of that today.... eeek)

I am walking a tightrope these days...  finding that while I am eager (and sometimes downright impatient) to be fully 100% recovered, I also do not want to wish this first month away.  Because it will pass.. and all too quickly. I love this newborn stage... the snuggles, the smells, the utter dependency... so sweet.


The siblings are, by turns, helpful, joyful and somewhat oblivious in this new chapter of our family life.  The girls cannot stand to hear him cry and go rushing to his side at the slightest peep.  The boys can't stand it either, and they go running outside.  LOL.

Little Boo is most adamant about scooping him up and out of the arms of the failing comforter, especially in the evenings when DH is trying to keep the little man awake for a few hours.  She marches up to her dad, hands on her hips, demanding that he hand over the little guy.  Then she waltzes away with him, singing and snugging her baby brother.

It definitely is nice to have the extra set of arms.  It guarantees that I can get dressed most mornings.
;P

Thanks to our homeschool co-op, the kids are still able to keep up with their schooling, while learning important life lessons here at home.  Pitching in and helping out, or pushing limits and bending rules?  It's been an interesting transition.  But necessary, as we iron out our new roles and make room for this most welcomed little one.

We have amazing friends.  AMAZING.  Our meals are planned out, every weekday, from now until Dec 22nd.  Yes, you read that right.  Little Dude's godmama has been working the phone lines, keeping us well-fed.  We are so truly blessed.

And that's it for now.  The little man awaketh, and I must run.

Thanks for your many e-mails and well-wishes.

Life is full here, and so very very good.

:)

Our New Life...

I simply refuse to believe that it has been two weeks since I last posted.

TWO WEEKS.

Because, that would mean that little Dude would be an ENTIRE WEEK OLD today.

And that?   Is simply not possible.

And so... the starting of life... in pictures:


The clock in the operating room, marking the exact time.... (4:29pm)
















First night with Mama...

A visit from the siblings....

Gosh, there are a lot of them!!

Little Love is needing some extra attention as she rapidly assumes her role as a "big" sister....
:)

And, clearly, someone needs to do some explaining to Ben the Cat.

A longer, more eloquent post to come on how wondrous are the ways of God and how lucky we are to be a part of this communion of saints here on earth.

For now, please know that I am so very grateful for the outpouring of prayers and good wishes. I could feel the many graces carry me through each moment of the surgery and subsequent recovery. Prayer is so powerful!

Much love and prayers of thanksgiving to all~

:)