Crunchy!

Caution

There may be many days when parenting in this manner will leave your house a wreck similar to this!

Which is why today I've tackled the laundry. I try to do two to three loads a day (one each on Saturday and Sunday) so that laundry isn't so daunting a task. However the daunting task lately is finding the time to fold and put it away. Clean loads first get dumped on the chair in the back left corner and move counter clockwise around the other sitting surfaces. My one task for the day in between nursing, playtime and during quiet time was folding and putting it away.

It's not all put away yet but at least the baskets are upstairs and we can once again live in our family room! It will be nice for my hubby to actually have clothes in the appropriate places tomorrow morning! I am so lucky that he never complains when the house looks like this. A couple days last week all I was able to do was take care of kids and get dinner going and I was a little upset. I actually said' "What if someone stops by." He said they'll know that I'm taking great care of my kids! Am I lucky or what! I do feel good having gotten some housework done too.

What makes a GOOD baby?

Why does our culture judge a good baby on sleep? Why are we so geared up to get a newborn independent after week one of life? They spent 9 months inside their mother and then we expect them to be sleeping through the night at 9 weeks. Hello! How does that really make any sense. I may be throwing you all for a loop but I'm an attachment parenting mama and proud of it!!

I don't believe that crying is good for a baby's lungs. I do believe it is a cue that the baby has a need that only it's primary caregivers can meet.

I don't believe that a baby needs a feeding or sleeping schedule. I do believe that babies should have their needs met when they need them, when they are hungry, tired or need the comfort of Mom or Dad.

I don't believe that my child needs to sleep in a lonely dark room down the hall. I do believe that we are very comfortable and safe sleeping together in a oneness where we both wake and sleep with a rhythm of togetherness.

I don't believe that my child should be put in a pack and play or play pen so they won't get into trouble. I do believe they are safer close to me and/or in a sling carrier.

If meeting my babies needs on cue means I'm spoiling her then gosh darn it I'm spoiling her every minute!!! I find it impossible to believe that my baby is manipulating me by wanting to nurse often, only that she is hungry, growing, or needing comfort. I believe manipulation is more of a learned behavior.

I by no means am judging you if your parenting choices differ from mine I also believe that each set of parents are THE best decision makers for their own family. Each parent must listen to their own intuition and do what is best for each individual within what is best for their entire family unit. Each family has different situations.

I could go on but this loving, happy and healthy baby is worth letting her nurse all day and night for a relatively short while. Before I know it she'll be three and telling me to take off my shoes when I come inside, spelling words and having way less time for cuddling her Mama!

The Battle of Toys

Why is it when I go through his toys and commit to getting rid of two of the three different types of building blocks does he consistently play with the two I was going to give away????

I'm not sure if three years old is too young for this but I've already told him that after Thanksgiving he and I are going to go through his toys and he'll need to pick out 3 to give to kids who don't have many toys. He just looked at me and said, "oh." I'm sure that he doesn't really have the life experience yet to understand but I thought we'd start this year and see what happens. I went through some of his toys the day that I put them away and already have a pile started to be given away.

I've noticed now that there's less toys, not only is there less mess but he plays with more of a variety of them every day. They are also much easier for him to put away. Though it still takes 20 minutes for him to put away what would be 3 minutes of work for me I know that I'm enabling him to be responsible for his things and his own mess by it being his job.

My 3 year old loves to play with my neighbor's kids. They have four boys ages ranging from about 4th grade down to 4. On most of the nice days lately my son goes out to play in the backyard while I'm getting dinner ready - even if it's cold. The other kids are usually out then too so my son calls their names until they climb up on the fence to talk to him - they are really nice kids. I'd love to be able to say yes one of these days when he comes in asking to go over to their yard or play out front with them. (He does play out front with them but only if one of us is out in the garage or in the front yard too.)

These evenings, I just can not say yes - they have a trampoline in their yard and many times I see multiple kids jumping at once and I can't expect them to look after my son. Their Mom is also preparing dinner or housework inside so she's not watching either. It just pains me that my kiddo wants so badly to play with other kids and he's surrounded by them, yet can't see or play with them, only hear them having fun. He does play well by himself but I just really want him to get to play with other kids. I'm planning on setting up a play date with my neighbor but we have nothing in our yard to entice them to come play over here...motivation to bug my hubby to build that swing set we've been talking about I guess!

Anyway, I am sticking to my gut and keeping him in our yard - plus it's funny to watch him try to pull things over to the fence to see if he can climb over. One of the other kids directs him to try different items and I chuckle my way through food prep keeping a good eye. He's a Mr. Steady though as soon as he doesn't have sure footing or good grip he stops, it makes it easy to trust him.

Trick or Treat!

Inquiring Minds Want To Know

Are you the type that digs in and gets your hands dirty or no thank you I don't want that under my fingernails?

I love to run my fingers through wonderful smelling, soft earth. (Locally ours is like clay so it needs a bit of amending to get to that nice soft dirt that I remember from childhood.) With finger paints I'm not so fond of them getting under my nails but I do have fun doing it and getting messy. So yes, I'll get my hands dirty, how about you?

He recently received a book that he loves to read that has mud pies in it...you can guess what we were doing in the pictures!

Wonderful Service!

If any of you are considering ordering custom cards I would highly recommend checking out weelittledesigns.com. The owner Jamie blogs at all things avery and her daughter is just the cutest thing ever.

Last Saturday I finally went through our pictures to pick some for our little one's birth announcement. The hardest part was deciding on one design because I loved so many. We ended up choosing the Mia birth announcement and it is just perfect.

I don't want for forget to mention that as I said I ordered last Saturday and I had proofs in my inbox on Sunday afternoon AND the finished prints are sitting in front of me right now. I am just so thrilled with the service I received from Jamie, the quality of her work is impeccable!

Thanks!!!

Little Giggle!

Finding time to fit in exercise with a wee one is trying. I've been able to go for a couple of walks this week but I need to fit in some toning exercises. Since we were all playing on the floor earlier I thought I'd take the opportunity to squeeze in a few minutes of abs and buns pilates exercises.

Soon I find myself on my back, knees bent doing shoulder bridges lifting the two kids sitting on my lower abdomen, talk about a work out! And what wonderful motivation my sweet daughter and son were. My son was laughing and my wee one was all smiles and even let out her first giggles!!! We tried to recreate it for the video camera tonight and got the smiles but no giggles. My buns are already sore and even still I may do more tomorrow!

Sending prayers to all my family and friends in Southern California. I've heard that much of San Diego County has been evacuated or is on alert. My hubby and I lived in San Diego for 6 years and the last large fires there came within a mile of our home so we can relate. But these fires are exponentially worse and we pray for those families who have lost their homes and hope they can find comfort and pray that God will keep the firefighters and residents safe in his hands.

We have plans to spend the Thanksgiving holiday next month with my Aunt and Uncle and other relatives who live in San Diego - you are all in our thoughts and prayers!

UPDATED:While we're on the prayer subject, please pray for my blogging buddy Lisa, she just had her baby girl! There are some complications so keep her in your prayers too!

If you have a minute

Please join me in telling the EPA to reverse it's approval of methyl iodide . It is to be used as a fumigant pest control by farmers and despite more than 50 scientists opposition (including 5 Nobel laureates in chemistry) the EPA approved the use of it. Fumigants are some of the most potentially dangerous pesticides in use because the toxic gas can evaporate from the soil, exposing farmworkers and drifting into neighborhoods. Studies have shown permanent nervous system damage, miscarriages, and thyroid tumors.

It would be used primarily on strawberry fields and the scientists, mostly chemists, warned that "pregnant women and the fetus, children, the elderly, farmworkers and other people living near application sites would be at serious risk." There is plenty of info on the link above - let's ask the EPA to help farmers find healthier more sustainable ways to fight crop pests and diseases.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh

Thanks for your comments and support! I just pampered myself with a long shower while my Mom took care of the babe and my Dad took my 3 year old to the park. What a difference from my typical 3-5 minute shower with the door open and curtain cracked. Shaved and exfoliated, I feel wonderfully human!!

I plan to go out with a couple friends on Thursday, with the baby of course, but adult conversation will be nice. Yesterday I remembered that I used to take baths every once in awhile with my son as a baby. It was fun bonding time and water is just so soothing for me. I'm scheduling one of these baths with my baby about once a week from now on and hopefully these little things will help maintain my sanity!

It must be normal?!?!?!

I love my kids with all my heart but I'm feeling overwhelmed and like I need a break. I cried when I said it out loud to my hubby today who said that it was normal to feel like I needed a break and understandable. For some reason I feel like a bad Mom if I admit that I need some time to myself.

So tell me, what are some ways that you find time to rejuvenate in your life??? My parents are passing through tomorrow so I'm hoping to get a bath in or something.

The Little Stuff Counts

Today is blog action day and the theme for this year is the environment. I must admit that lately I've been tired and some weeks I just don't want to sort my recyclables. Then I look at the reasons I'm tired and remember that I want them to be able to enjoy the Earth too. So I drag myself out to the garage for five minutes of sorting on trash day and my paper, cardboard, plastic and metals all get sorted. Glass I save up in a box and take to my local recycling center since they don't pick it up.

Americans waste enough wood and paper to heat 50,000,000 homes for 20 years!

What I've been trying to figure out is how to convey the message of reduce, reuse, and recycle to my three year old. He knows where the paper bags for recycling are in the pantry. He sees me sorting, using reusable shopping bags, taking the few plastic bags we do get back to the store to be recycled, vermicomposting, buying used items so as not to let good things go to waste. Still I really didn't know how to convey to him the beauty of our planet that is God's gift to us.

It takes 200-500 years for an aluminum can to decompose!

Then I realized that it is in all these little things that he will see the bigger picture. By exposing our kids to the wonders of nature; collecting fall leaves, planting seeds, picking noxious weeds, smelling flowers and sitting in the shade of a huge tree watching squirrels all help kids learn about the beauty of what we've been given. I think it's important for little people to see that even though they are small, they too can make a difference.

We could save about 555,556 trees every Sunday if we recycled all our newspapers!

I was reading an article in the Dr's office a couple of months ago about how to get your kids to go green and there was a wonderful idea that we are having fun with. It spoke of a family that had a basket were they kept scraps of paper, cardboard, bits of broken toys, fabric. or yarn. Anything that can't be used by itself and they look through it when they have crafts or art projects. Since my son is into gluing lately we've been doing this and it's great, he doesn't really care what he's gluing or making and I don't have to buy any extra supplies, it's all stuff that would have ended up in the landfill already!

It takes about 450 years for a plastic 6-pack cover to decompose!

When I look at all these little things individually it's easy to think "Nothing I can do will actually make a difference." In reality though if you add it all together these little efforts our children see us making by using cloth diapers or even less paper towels by using washable cloths and dish towels in the kitchen, it all matters. Our grandchildren just might thank us one day that we took responsibility for our gift.

Happy Two Months Baby Girl

Updated to add this picture of you at two months:

Today you are two months old, it's hard to believe that time goes so quickly. You have brought such amazing joy to our lives and are a wonderful addition to our family. You are a champion nurser, at 3 weeks old you were 10 pounds 2 ounces and at 7 weeks you already weighed 12 and a half pounds now you are 23 and a half inches long. Plus Mommy's back below pre-pregnancy weight - thanks to you!!

Your smiles are like the stars in the night. Your big brother loves to kiss and hug you and make you smile. He'll make silly faces at you and you smirk at him.

Your eyes are a deep ocean blue and your hair a soft and sandy brown with a hint of strawberries. You radiate a beautiful chubbiness that is oh so kissable and squeezable. You have the interesting talent of being able to burp without coming unlatched and you already play the "other cheek" kissing game with Mommy and Daddy.

I love the way your hair stands up when it's newly washed and your ruby red lips as thy suckle. There's just nothing cuter than a nursing babe and you are adorable.

Daddy and I just couldn't be happier that God chose you and your brother for our children. Seeing and loving you is evidence of God and his love. From your tiny toes to your perfect ears and button nose we love every bit of you. Beautiful Girl.

Top picture: 1 day old. Bottom on your baptism day at 7 weeks 5 days old wearing an 84 year old dress. The dress was made by your Great, Great, Great Grandmother for your Great Grandmother who wore it first. Your Granny and Mommy also were baptized in it as well as many Aunts and Cousins too.

New Recipes for us this Fall

Recently Adam asked me to make taco's for dinner. Now if you haven't guessed by now, I'm not into buying those little spice packages that have a million extra ingredients in them, so we never eat tacos or sloppy joes. That's all changed now... these recipes are quick and easy and I've got two more dinners to rotate in with normal stuff this Fall! Why didn't I think of this sooner!

Taco Seasonings

I just eyeballed the amounts - and you could adjust the spiciness to taste, it's fairly mild on the heat.

• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp each salt and black pepper (I used less)

In a small bowl mix all ingredients together and add to saute pan with ground beef or chicken. Can be stored in an airtight container. I find it's enough to season 1 - 1 1/2 pounds of meat or so.

Super Sloppy Joes (from Rachel Ray - 30 minute Queen)

• 1 Tblspn extra virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
• 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp to 1 tblspn steak seasoning blend
• 1 mediun onion, chopped
• 1 small bell pepper chopped
• 1 tblspn red wine vinegar
• 1 tblspn Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 2 Tblspns tomato paste
• 4 crusty rolls split, toasted and lightly buttered

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and meat to the pan. While meat is browning combine brown sugar and steak seasoning. Add sugar and spice mixture to the skillet and combine. When the meat has browned add onion and red peppers. Reduce heat to medium and cook onions, peppers , red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce with meat for 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and paste and stir to combine. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes longer. Spoon onto rolls and serve. (I just made homemade biscuits and we spooned them over those.

I love my hubby

Yes, that's what a pound and a half of carob chips looks like. To give him credit, the list specified a years supply!!!! I really am so very grateful that you are willing to go shopping for me honey, Thanks!

Blog Action Day

October 15th is Blog Action Day. Each blogger will post about the environment in their own way in relation to their own blog. I already had a couple environment related posts up my sleeve for a rainy day so I'm getting them ready! If you feel moved to participate visit the web page for more info.

Tender moments

Eight days old.

Thanks Ashlee!!!

My wonderful blogging buddy Ashlee who blogs at Mama's Nest and is the owner of Nest sent me a sling! I've used it every day since receiving it on Friday, it's my first adjustable sling and I love it! Plus I love the fabric, it's very well made and I think more stylish than my wardrobe!

It is so easy to put it on quickly even just to do one small task, with other carriers if I'm going to put it on it's not really worth it if I'm just taking out the garbage before I change her diaper. This one I just plop her in and we're ready to go. Like my son, she doesn't like any of the horizontal positions, just upright which is fine with me. I have figured out how to nurse in it but I still have to hold her with one hand. I think I may go to my local La Leche League meeting on Thursday because I know it's possible to nurse hands free so hopefully someone will be able to give some advice. For now, it's nice to have to take a break to sit and nurse but soon it will be nice to be able to nurse on the go.

I also LOVE the tail of the sling, it comes in really handy for shielding the sun out of her eyes and covering up while nursing or when she's asleep.

If you need encouragement on why it's good to wear your baby Ashlee's got a great list here. My favorites are *Carrying infants lowers the level of stress hormones and adrenalin circulating in the blood stream of the infant, as well as the parent/caregiver. *Continuously carried infants actually initiate separation faster and become more emotionally self-reliant. *Babies who are carried have a lower mortality rate than infants who are denied this constant contact. - Well there are just too many to list here!!!! Thanks again Ashlee!!!!

More Three Year Old Speak

The other morning while we were cuddling in bed making baby sister smile (my son gets the biggest smiles from her) he says:

Mommy she's the cutest ever, ever, ever come out your belly!

The struggle to be consistent

Since we moved I've had a hard time getting my son to pick up his toys. I started to reread Toddler Love and Logic and a couple weeks ago got a bit more serious. Giving my son choice until I was blue in the face. ME: "Would you like to put your left shoe on first or your right?" HIM: I want to play with my trains ME:Well that wasn't an option, let's do the left.... ME: "Bath or shower?, Would you like to leave now or in 5 minutes? Spoon or fork, bowl or plate, red or orange, la, la, la...."

Things seemed to be looking up again (remember to stay consistent Mom and Dad!) except on the toy front. Oh, I thought I had done what they said in the book: if they won't pick up their toys give them a choice of them doing it or you. Then Mom and/or Dad put it up. I had done that with a handful of toys but it never seemed like he missed them. One day a couple weeks ago after his quiet time in his bed room toys were EVERYWHERE. I said OK buddy, you may come downstairs for a snack after all your toys are picked up. He looked at me and said "No, you can do it."

I stood there about ready to go ballistic and then thought - you are messing with the wrong Mama kiddo. Took him downstairs and I went back up and picked up EVERY toy in his room and put them up on the top shelves of closets. I had no mercy except that his night time cuddle guys were on his bed and not part of the mess so I left them.

He was upset when he saw his very empty room later that afternoon. I showed empathy, I consoled him. I asked if he wanted them back tomorrow or the next day. He said the next day and I held him to that even though I really don't think he got that it was longer without the toys. Ever since those toys have been back picking up a room has never been so easy, nor has my 3 year old ever been so willing.

Unfortunately the lesson didn't carry over to downstairs and currently all the downstairs toys are in the garage or up high as well - this morning when he say the empty shelves he did choose getting them back tomorrow instead of the next day. It's just reassuring that when I don't mess it up, this Love and logic stuff really works!

Presto!

The other day my son was playing at my feet while I was nursing. My daughter popped off and burped to which my son said, "Excuse you Daddy."

His new favorite TV show is Super Why! and now he says "Presto" all the time. The other morning it was raining and he asked to play outside in the rain. I said as long as he got dressed in something warm it would be okay (it was more of a drizzle at the time). Then he said something to the effect of, "No it's raining outside." I said yup it was. He replied with, "Oh, it's raining outside. How are we going to do? Super readers!!!!" I was rolling on the floor. Then I had to bring up the fact that God is the only one over the weather - and we started to sing "God is over, over, over the wind and waves."

Freeloadin' and lovin' it!

One week old in a carrier made by a good friend of mine. (If she ever wants to sell them I'll let you all know!) : The only way dinner gets made (one monyh old):

It's not so bad being awoken during the night to find...

These were taken last week and the baby acne is almost all gone now!!!

So....

Last evening I realized that one nursing pad was missing. (Not the disposable kind - the washable ones). By the way I nursed in public places - one of which was church!!!! Yikes!

Let's go fishing!

When we were in Las Vegas this summer visiting my Mom in law we went to the FAO Schwartz store in Caesars Palace. There I saw this fishing game and knew my son would love it. He pretends strings, ropes even my hubby's cell phone ear piece are fishing lines but I couldn't justify the 20 something dollars for a bunch of cardboard fish and things that I knew my boy would fold and crumple. Plus when I showed it to my hubby and his response was "Oh, we can make that so much better."

So one of my last nesting projects 6 and a half weeks ago was making this fishing game for my son. I found a small tupperware bin at a local thrift store and decoupaged the inside with strips of light blue tissue paper. The bin is large enough to store all the pieces and to play by fishing the pieces out of it. I had Adam drill holes in four dowels and painted each one a different color for each different player.

I tied string to each dowel and dabbed the knots with super glue to make it extra secure. At the opposite end of the string I tied a magnet with the help of hot glue to secure it before I tied it, then reinforced the knots with super glue as well.

For the fish I printed pictures that I found online (i.e. clown fish, crab, blue whale etc.). I also printed the names of all the fish and taped them to the backs. After slipping on a paper clip I covered both sides of each cut out fish with self laminate to prolong their life span.

It was really pretty fun to make and for $15 I made two of them, one for my nephew also - I think a pretty good bargain! I have been thinking that if you printed the fish on cardstock you could use packaging tape to cover the smaller size fish instead of the laminate which was the most expensive component. With older kids you might not even have to laminate at all.

We are just having fun learning how to take turns but really your imagination is the limit. I think it would be fun to fish for letters and make words or with words to make sentences etc.

If you want to participate in the Make it from Scratch Carrnival Stephanie from Stop the Ride is hosting this week and she's got a theme. She wants to know where in the world we are - country or state. Get your post up and submitted by Sunday for next Tuesday's carnival!!

Hours of fun!!!

When Daddy takes him to get a haircut!

I usually cut his hair with clippers but a couple of weeks ago he was over due and for some reason I couldn't find the 30 minutes to cut it! So Daddy and him went together and came home with glue!

Mommy Do!

From long....

to short.....

I had it done on Saturday and I'm still getting used to it but it's definitely a lot lighter and more fun.

My little beauty is dong well, she'll be 6 weeks tomorrow. We call her a little squeaker because she makes all these wonderful baby noises and squeaks that are too adorable. She is very strong and has good head control and is starting to smile more! If only I can catch it at just the right moment for a pic!

To my 3 year old!

Nearly a month ago my son turned three and I've neglected the big event here on my blog. In real life, we did it up with a big shindig and had a bunch of his friends over to celebrate. The focus was back on him, I'm sure a welcome feeling just days after his baby sis joined the family!

Throwing a party 12 days postpartum is great if your Mom is here! Thanks to Granny everything went smoothly! We made homemade playdough which was each kids parting gift along with a goody bag with a couple of dollar store finds in it. (Seriously I think we may have spent $5 at the dollar store for bags and party favors - sometimes I just love the dollar store!) Some bigger siblings helped put Cars themed tatoos on all the little guys and while it's always really important for me to make my kids cakes I let my hubby purchase this years- boy is that a budget killer! Well worth it in this instance however.

I just can't believe I have a three year old! He just had a little growth spurt too so all his 2T shorts are getting too short - good thing summer's almost over and we've gotten 2 seasons out of some of them!!!

My favorite things you are doing right now my beautiful boy--

• The way you'll burst into song - and start singing one of "Bob and Larry's Sunday Morning songs" or "Doe a Dear" or yesterday in the car with the radio to "I can only Imagine" I love your beautiful little voice.

• Everyday when I walk into your room after "quiet play time" there's a new adventure waiting for me - once you were even asleep on your floor and two days ago you ripped off a good two foot section of the wallpaper! THANKS maybe in a couple weeks you'll have it all off! I wonder if then you'll be able to paint the walls for us!

• Your ability to learn has always fascinated me but now it's amazing. You can recognize most letters - only about 6 slip you up and you count to 30 - you can speak so well. Daddy and I are so very proud of you!

• Ever since your little sister came along it's become apparent to me what a HUGE heart you have. You are always wanting to kiss and hug her (isn't that what baby's are for?) and you have learned to be very gentle and caring. It's a nice side to see of your very boy rough and tumble personality.
• You can 100% get yourself dressed - if there are no buttons involved - which is a huge help for me! Mostly you get things on right side out even.
• You still LOVE to help me in the kitchen, and you have most of just about every book that we own memorized and after two times reading through library books heaven forbid Mommy or Daddy skip one little line to save time before bed!!!!! I think "What do People do all Day" is one of the only ones you don't have totally memorized and that's a really long one. Yet still a favorite for you.
• You know that D-O-G, C-A-T, and C-A-R and your name spell words. You ask me to spell things - did I say you are SO smart!
• You are always willing to share with Mommy and Daddy and you are working on taking turns and sharing very well when playing with your friends. It's fun to see your imagination at work when you play with your "guys", matchbax cars, blocks and others.
• You always make the sunshine a bit brighter each day for me and you'll always be my baby - even if you think you're a "big boy!"

I LOVE YOU MY WONDERFUL SON!

Tonight while giving my kids a bath I found myself wanting three more arms. For one thing I'd be able to wash both kids and floss the annoying corn between my teeth all at the same time. Then when I got the little one out and dressed she wanted to nurse and so I sat on the toilet nursing away knowing that my son needed to get out and ready for bed but also desperately needed his hair washed. Again I needed more arms - I guess God knew that we really can't do everything and that's why he gave us Dad! Conveniently with two more arms!!!

Time

Tiny Toes

Two In Cloth

We are just here treasuring every moment we spend together. Someday I hope to be able to get a better handle on things so I can justify computer time again! But for now we are just enjoying this time with my now 3 year old son and 3 week and six day old daughter because they'll only be this big today, tomorrow they'll be bigger.

My hubby's Mom sent an email and this was at the bottom, I thought it was powerful and fitting!

Birthday Story Part 2

I guess with a new baby when I say I'll write more tomorrow it means next week!!! :) My Mom was here for the last two weeks so today's my first day "on my own." So far God has been very very good to me!!! Both are currently sleeping and I thought I'd try to finish the story of our daughter's birth and share a few cute pictures.

"God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." Genesis 1:31 (NIV)

I woke up at 4am having contractions and I laid in bed resting to see if they'd continue even with me relaxing and drinking water. For about 3 or 4 days before I'd been having some pretty strong contractions but if I laid down and relaxed they'd get further apart and then I'd fall asleep or they'd just go away completely. This time I wanted to make sure they were real before calling. After the 5th one about 10 or 11 minutes apart I grabbed my hubby awake thinking "this is the last one you get to sleep through honey!" When the contraction subsided I asked him to bring me the phone and number.

He proceeds to do a couple things and then get out his clothes and begin to get dressed before I say "I'd like to call before my next contraction comes so can you get the phone first." He groggily replies and smiles at me, telling me I'm beautiful. I call at about 5am and since we are all packed I get dressed, put my hair back in braids and we let my Mom know we were leaving.

We arrived at the birthing center at about 5:40am and start to settle into our room. The same room where my son was born, it has a twin bed, a comfy chair, and a large birthing tub - along with it's own bath room. The lights could be dimmed and we just tried to relax and laugh between contractions. Occasionally I'd ask my hubby if he could at least wake up when I was having a contraction and we'd giggle. I was way more aware during this labor than I remember being with my son.

After we were settled in a bit my wonderful nurse (really my best friends Mom - we go to the same church- who so wonderfully said she'd be on call just for us!) checked me and I was 5 cm. She showed me on the little diagram how big that was compared to 10cm and I was convinced we had a long way to go.

After awhile my back began to really hurt so Adam laid behind me on the bed and would push on my lower back during the contractions, I then said I was ready for the tub. I'm not sure what time it was but as soon as they started getting the tub ready for me I had 3 or 4 contractions right on top of each other which was well, eventful. Before I got in the tub I was already at 8cm and it was time to call my Dr. By the time the Dr. got there I was complete and ready to push!

The first contraction I pushed through I was thinking in my head "I'm not sure I can do this, this hurts way more than I remember!" After that contraction I looked at my hubby who was telling me how awesome I was doing and I said out loud "We can do this!" (He asked me later if I remembered saying this and I told him that I felt like I had to say it out loud since my thoughts during the pushing weren't helping me.) After the second contraction that I pushed through I said something to the effect of "Oh my goodness!" and everyone laughed at me that I was so mild manored in the throws of it all!

The third contraction was the last out she came to join us at 8:07am and they plopped her on my belly in all her chubby beauty. Adam and I oogled and googled for maybe a minute or two and then he cut the cord and they wrapped her in a warm towel. I felt like I had to use all my strength with two people helping me get out of the tub but I made it over to the bed. Adam got a chance to snuggle her for awhile and then I did. They never had to take her away from us, a scale was wheeled in and she was weighed (9lbs 4oz). Then we nursed for a good long while and called family and asked my Mom to bring our son out to meet his baby sis.

It wasn't until after lunch that we gave her a bath and got her dressed and measured and foot printed and all that stuff. It was so nice to have all that time to bond and for my son and Mom to be able to hang out until after lunch. We did more cuddling and nursing while my best friend came for a short visit. After which our family Dr. came and checked her out and we were discharged. I think we arrived home at about 5:30 pm and another friend was over just for a quick peek before work. I'm pretty sure we all were in bed by 8pm.

"I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26 (NIV)