What Marks Success?

Let's begin with some cuteness, because why not?

Maybe, just maybe, 6 weeks postpartum, during a crazy semester is not the time for self-reflection, but I just can't help myself.  Lately, I've felt like I deserve a medal for "mom who is home all day and gets nothing accomplished".  Admittedly that's a bit harsh, I can see that, really I can. 

So that's why I wrote down a list of "what would make an ideal day."  I'm not going to share the list because it's long and because rarely do we have "ideal" days.  I wrote the list late at night when I was feeling completely overwhelmed and under-appreciated.  Running a house, raising 6 kids, and homeschooling them just seemed like too much.  How do those successful Catholic homeschooling mothers do it?  Then I got to thinkin'.  What does that mean anyway? 

We chose to homeschool, we chose to have a large family, and we're choosing to raise them in the Catholic Church.  So, when it's all said and done (not when the kids move out, more like when I go to bed at night), how do I know that we've had a successful day?  Surely, "I didn't burn the house down and every one is still alive" doesn't really count as a successful day.  Enter my list.  In a couple of days I'm going to take that list and whittle it down to the items that I feel should happen every day.  If those few items are in place I can tuck my cherubs in at night and feel good about a job well done. 

I'll let ya know how it goes. 

In the meantime.  Some more picture fun.

It's Dangerous Out Here

 Good thing Daddy is here to protect her.  You never know what the baby will be up against.

Almost 4 Weeks-A comparison

The day before Felicity turned 4 weeks old I walked into the NICU and saw her sweet face free from the nasal cannula that seemed to take residence under her tiny little nose.  The deal was 24 hours without oxygen and she was ours.  All day long I held her and nursed her and obsessed over her oxygen levels. 

The next morning....still no oxygen.  I had to wait for the neonatologist to make her rounds, but by that afternoon she gave us the go-head and I packed up my babe and we left.  I called Brett when we got out to the parking garage and said something corny like "the eagle is flying" or something like that. 

4 weeks of agonizing ups and downs.  4 weeks of not knowing if our sweet Felicity would ever be able to come home to us.  4 weeks of praying, and praying, and praying, and begging God to save this girl who was very much loved.

Home sweet home!

Marciana will be 4 weeks old tomorrow.  Instead of waiting for 24 hours of no oxygen, we took her home 24 hours after she was born.  Her siblings have been able to love on her and hold her and get to know her.  We've had her in our bed at night instead of having to leave her in the hands of nurses and doctors.  What a difference! 

I am forever grateful for having a healthy baby.  I will never take that blessing for granted.  I promise not to obsess (publicly) like this at every milestone, but this one was a big one for me. 

Sweet Marci, nearing the peak of "baby acne" season, but still cute and amazing!

And...go!

It's a weird psychological issue for sure, but both Brett and I have felt that our lives were on hold until two events took place.

Event #1- Marciana
Event #2- Scotland (he went for only a week, our big family adventure is still coming)

We picked him up from the airport, after surviving a drive through a monsoon, late Saturday night.  We eased into school today, as is our custom on Mondays since the kids have their piano lessons before Brett heads to work.  I might be somewhat crazy, but even with a 3-week-old I feel this great need to get things organized around here.  Post-baby nesting?  Who knows. 

I do know that now both the above events have taken place our lives have been set back into motion.  There's homeschooling, karate, toddlers, laundry, etc.  There's concerts, committees, lessons, extra gigs, etc.  I do believe it's time for a parent-teacher conference or a principal-teacher conference or whatever.  A household of 8 does not run itself and it's time to get this home in order. 

I'm looking forward to having a routine, no matter how simple it may be, and to make this house a home instead of a place that's in constant flux.  I'm looking forward to cooking yummy and healthy (and dare I say it, mostly paleo) meals for my family.  I'm looking forward to continuing our chore routine so that our home can be welcoming to whomever walks through these doors. 

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)