Baby Days

I've been ultra-blessed to have both my mom and grandma here with me while Brett has been "working" (and I use that term very loosely) in Scotland this past week.  I'm soaking in these last couple of days of being served, quite literally, by these two ladies. 

 Since I had a couple of extra hands this week I thought I would try doing our fall "school" pictures.  The colors are not nearly as beautiful as they were last year, but I think we got some good shots.

 Marciana was not impressed.  Have you ever tried to impress a 2 1/2 week old?

 Felicity was surprisingly willing to take pictures. 

 My sweet red-headed Veronica. 

 Gianna is looking so old to me.

 I don't know how I feel about this, but Emma's glasses were causing a horrible glare so we had her take them off. 

 I'm not even going to discuss how I feel about how old this kid looks to me.  He's a young man, really.

Having some sister-bonding time this morning.  Marci stayed awake all morning.  Fun times.

I wish I could say that the transition here is going better.  When Felicity is well-fed, well-rested, and well-attentioned (wordsmith here) then life is hunky-dory.  Maybe that's life with a 2 1/2 year old.  Either way, life these days is very hectic, very full, and somewhat overwhelming.  If we're being honest here then I would also mention that it's hard on me not having my man here.  The help I have here is amazing, but nothing replaces having Brett by my side. 

And on that, it smells like dinner is ready (any one what to come and cook for me for...well...the rest of my life?)

Lovely

This gal...love her.

The transition from 5 to 6 has been as difficult as I anticipated it would be. Not because of numbers, unless the number 2 1/2 means anything. :-) As in, the 2 1/2 year old is coping, well, not at all. Mercy me!!! 

New Life

Marciana Mary Elizabeth

Born: Sept.14

7 lbs. 3 oz.

I will never again take for granted having a healthy baby, and I am happy to announce that Marciana is very healthy!  I'm usually a "birth story" type of person, but I think this time around I'll simply say "healthy baby, healthy momma".  It wasn't my dream birth situation, but the end result was absolutely perfect.  We are all doing well, very tired, and adjusting at our own pace (2-year-olds...gotta love 'em)

School Days

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the start of school this year.  We usually follow Brett's schedule and he's back at work this week, but there is that whole it's-almost-baby-time thing.  In the end I decided to prepare some excellent lesson plans and dive in.  I'm glad we did.  We were all ready to begin again.  Veronica was especially excited because she started Kindergarten this year.  I don't really "do" grades, but knowing that she was actually doing school instead of being handed coloring pages was a big deal to her. 

I had to include this last picture lest you start to think that all of my children sit attentively and soak in every word of every lesson.  Of course when Felicity is the teacher she has our attention.

I'm very happy with how our school year started.  I'm trying to be more realistic with my expectations.  I haven't lowered them, really.  I've just changed them a bit.  I want these years to be memorable for my children.  I want them to look back on their homeschooling experience with fondness.  This year I'm focusing on loving these little people that God has put into my life.  I realize that sounds strange since of course I love my own children, but I want them to feel it to their core.  I probably never mentioned the low point of last year when my older two were watching their writing lesson and they were supposed to be coming up with words to describe their mother.  We had a particularly horrible day that day.  We laugh at their list now, but it stung at the time. 

I will post about what we're doing this year for our schooling later, unless a baby comes before I organize my thoughts on that.   

Played Out

This is what a successful weekend visit with dear friends looks like:

It's Not Over 'til It's Over

Summer decided to show up after all.  We were sure that we were going to head straight into fall and miss the warm weather altogether.  I'm very thankful for our little wall A/C unit that has kept our house very nice.  I am also thankful for the windows in my kitchen and dining room where I can sit in my comfortable house and watch the kids splash each other with water.  Life is good.

Our summer has been packed full.  As usual.  Traveling, having guests, doing projects, growing a baby.  We always say that we aren't going to do quite so much during the summer, but in the end we just can't seem to make that work.  We have people to see, things to do.  

School starts up for all of us on Monday.  We follow Brett's schedule and so we begin.  I've spent the past few nights getting ready, writing plans, making lists, thinking, and over-thinking.  The budget is rather puny (read: non-existent) this year (but man, that chicken coop is awesome!) so I'm scaling back, not buying stuff, and making lists of good books we're going to read.  Aidan was reminding me of some great books that the "little ones" don't remember because they were too small when we last read them together.  I'm excited about this year.  It seems complicated to plan, but looks so lovely when it's planned.  Simple.  Just what we'll need this year.  

I contemplated not starting school until after this sweet babe arrives.  After all, we are just going to get going and we'll have a wonderful interruption almost immediately.  But, our break can't last forever and a little routine will be good for all of us.

I'm excited to spend the year with these little people.  Some aren't so little anymore, and some will be oh-so-tiny (we can't wait to meet you!).  What will the school year hold?  Some very exciting things to be sure (that actually have nothing to do with a baby), and I'm sure we will have those "hey, school bus, you forgot some!" moments.  I don't doubt that it will be a year, full.  Now, can I focus and stay attentive to my goal?  Can I weed out the tiredness, and criticism, and jealousies and keep going?  Pray that I can, I'll pray for you!

The Battle of the Lists

My List:
-clean/organize pantry
-clean/organize fridge
-clean/organize every closet in the house
-deep clean every nook and cranny of the house
-reorganize the bathroom closet
-wash and ready newborn diapers
-wash and ready newborn clothes
-vacuum every day
-get kids' chores set for the fall
-lesson plan first 5 weeks of school

His List:
-chop and put up wood so propane people can come
-mow the lawn
-finish landscaping project
-finish electrical in chicken coop
-cut down dead trees in woods
-go to work and get ready for the school year

Priorities people!  Priorities!  What is "he" thinking!  :-)

Okay, so maybe it's important that my lovely husband gets his stuff finished before the school year starts and he's back at work.  But, but, but....this baby will surely be checking the baseboards to make sure we fully prepared for her arrival.