We’re Home!

We had a wonderful weekend! We spent time with grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins, went to Joshua’s wrestling tournament (at which he took first place and a gold medal), celebrated Joshua’s birthday with a big birthday party, and so on. It was a great and extremely busy weekend! I have more details to share, along with some very cute pictures. I am working on a blog entry full of details and pictures. I’ll post it when it’s finished.

How’s This for CUTE? (Part II)

I always get so excited about the arrival of summer and about the sudden need for shorts, t-shirts, and sandals. I usually end up taking pictures on the very first day of the year that my kids wear summer clothes. I never intend to do this and I didn’t realize until just now that I have taken these kind of pictures every year. But now that I’ve realized this, the tradition must continue!

Last week was incredibly warm, especially for March. There was one day in particular that was downright HOT so I went to the basement and pulled out a few summer outfits for each of the kids. (We have lots of clothes from last year, as well as hand-me-downs from siblings, cousins, and friends. I have so many storage boxes of clothes in all genders, sizes, and seasons that it’s like my own private little store!)

The kids looked so cute in their summer clothes and the weather was so warm that I decided I wanted to take a few pictures. I decided on indoor pictures because the sun was so bright (last year I took them outside and ended up with washed-out pictures and four pairs of eyes squinting in the sun.  

I threw a big sheet over the chair in our family room as a backdrop. I took pictures of one child at a time, starting with Asher and working my way up to Brenna. The pictures turned out darling, in my humble opinion. I guess it’s easy to take darling pictures when you have darling kids!

My Miracle Asher

 

 

My Darling Braden (who wasn’t feeling well, but was a good sport anyway)

 

My Princess Madalyn

 

My Little Man Joshua

 

My Big Baby Girl Brenna

 

See? Cute, right?

Of course as soon as I took all these nice, summer-time pictures, the weather turned cold again. It has snowed and rained all week. Madalyn, who is looking forward to her July birthday, is extremely concerned that summer will never come. She’s quite convinced that we’re “going back to winter” every day that it snows. Brenna insists that it’s still warm enough for t-shirts and sandals. We joke with her that she thinks she lives on a beach because she always claims it’s so warm. Lately, after I finally urge her into a jacket, she takes one step outside and (while standing in the biting wind and flurries of snow) she peels her jacket off and declares, “I knew it wasn’t cold out here!”

As for me, I’m in mourning for that one glorious week of summer. I’m mourning sunny days, barefeet, and kids that smell like grass and dirt and spring time. I’m looking forward to warmer weather!

Looking Back…

Here is my Asher, in March 2009. He’s a beautiful, happy 8-month-old miracle!

And this was Asher a year ago, in March 2008, when I was about five months pregnant…

 

 

What a difference a year makes!!

Braden’s Sugar

Asher has another cold. It’s nothing major, but his nose is stuffy and he’s coughing constantly. Both of those things are preventing him from sleeping well and- let’s face it- he wasn’t the greatest sleeper to begin with. It took a lot longer than usual to get Ash down for his morning nap; I spent a long time just trying to settle and soothe my exhausted and congested little man. Finally, after much rocking and snuggling and singing, Asher settled into an even sleep and I set him gently in his bed.

And then I went downstairs, where my other four children had been unsupervised while I rocked their brother to sleep. Braden had made excellent use of his time. He was literally covered in a fine white dusting of powdered sugar, as was the chair he was standing on and the counter top he was next to. He was eating powdered sugar by the spoonful out of the container I store it in.

“Oh, hi Mom,” Braden said without a hint of remorse in his voice. Then, by way of explanation, he indicated the container of mostly-eaten powdered sugar and told me, “Daddy left the sugar out.”

I’m estimating that Braden ate at least several cups of powdered sugar this morning.

Thanksgiving has come early this year…

Thanksgiving has come EARLY this year! I am expecting our Sweet Baby #6 this November! I suppose it’s kind of early to make this news so public, but Rick and I both feel so confident and so peaceful and so excited and so joyful and so grateful that I simply had to share my amazing fortune. I know that Heavenly Father has blessed us with this baby, and while I worry a little (as I always will about every new baby and every “old” baby, for that matter) I also know that this sweet, growing baby is in Heavenly Father’s hands.

A month ago, I took a faint positive pregnancy test. I felt uneasy somehow, but tried to get excited and tried to hope for the best. I took a negative one after that and then I started bleeding. At first, I was sure that was a miscarriage. But, honestly, having had three miscarriages in the past, there was no way that it could have been one. Physically speaking, it did not hurt at all, and the bleeding was very light. It comforted me to think that I hadn’t lost a baby.

A week and a half ago, I started feeling pregnant. I was very hungry and quite emotional. We hadn’t been preventing at all, but we hadn’t been “trying” either. And this was the first time ever in my life that I did not even know when my next period was due. I did a little “research” that night by looking through journal entries and realized that my period was already due to arrive.

I couldn’t help myself and I took a pregnancy test. A faint, pink line popped up within a minute or so. It was darker than the “line” I’d gotten the previous month, but I was still hesitant to believe it. I took another test right away (a different brand) and got another faint line. The following day I took another test, and got a very nice positive! I continued to take pregnancy tests and they continued to get darker and darker each time. Each time I would take a test and see that gorgeous line instantly appear, I was so happy that I felt like kissing the test. Don’t worry, I refrained from doing so. That would just be gross. However, I did NOT refrain from dancing around in the bathroom every single time!

I am beyond thrilled over this news! Asher was difficult to conceive. I don’t know why, but it took over a year to get pregnant with him. I feel healed from that painful year and I know Asher came to us when the time was right, but I have always hoped that I would not have to go through that again. I’m amazed that we got pregnant so quickly this time, especially with Asher still nursing constantly. I feel so completely blessed and so completely thankful!!

We’ve told the kids already. Joshua found my pregnancy test on the bathroom counter, scrutinized it for a moment and then asked if I was having a baby. When I told him I was, he grinned at me and immediately wanted to know when, just like he did last time. Brenna cried tears of joy when I told her that I was pregnant with Asher, and this time she bounced and jumped and cheered. She is so excited about the new baby! I told the kids that the baby would come a little after Halloween, and Brenna declared that that would be a great “Halloween present.” Maddie’s reaction was priceless as well. I asked her if she wanted another baby and she got excited and insisted, “I want 100 girl babies and 100 boy babies!” I asked her if she’d be okay with one at a time and told her there was a baby in my tummy. She clapped her tiny hands with delight and hugged me tight. Even little Braden is excited. Before I told any of the kids about the baby, I asked Braden if he knew what was in my tummy. “A baby sister. A Alli,” was his immediate response.

So far I am feeling pretty good, especially considering that I was already sick with horrific morning sickness by this far along with Ash. I feel a little queasy now and then, but nothing major. I’ve had two super easy pregnancies, two “average” pregnancies, and one knock-your-socks-off-hard pregnancy with Asher. I’m hoping this one is like any of the first four! My other symptoms are all incredibly strong, which is always really nice!

Asher is still nursing every three hours and sometimes at night as well. He has started solids now and eats baby food once a day, but he’s still almost entirely breastfed and dependant upon me. I have always gotten pregnant while nursing and I have always nursed into the new pregnancy (for anywhere from one month to six months). But I have never been pregnant while nursing a baby that was still SO dependant on me. I love nursing Asher and I am determined not to stop, if I can help it at all. I am eating and drinking as much as I can, forcing calories down even when I don’t want them. I am shooting for 3000 calories a day, and hitting my goal by eating well during the day, adding in protein drinks, and enjoying a nightly milkshake. I figure I need 2000-ish calories for me, 500 to nurse Asher, and 300 for the new baby. I’m rounding up from there. 3000 is difficult to reach, but I am doing it! And so far, my milk supply is holding out as strong as ever.

Yesterday we took the kids to celebrate our new baby. It’s a family tradition that we eat at IHOP to celebrate “baby things.” We ate there each time we found out I was pregnant with another baby and when we learned I be induced (a week late) with Brenna. We ate there when we found out Josh was a boy and Maddie was a girl. And so on. We’ve eaten at IHOP at least once or twice during each pregnancy to celebrate various things. But this time, IHOP food just didn’t sound good at all. We broke tradition and ate at Sizzler instead. We’d already eaten at IHOP a few weeks ago to celebrate the fact that a baby would be joining us soon, even though we didn’t know when at the time. Does that count?

Rick says we’re having a boy, all the other kids say we’re having a girl, and I am still undecided. (I did dream about twins a few months ago so I can always hope for that, right?) If we have a girl we will definitely name her Allison Nathylie (after my Nana) and call her Alli. If we have a boy, our favorite name is Paxton Michael (after my brother) and we also like Jacob Dwight (after Rick’s dad).

My OB (who, by the way, is fine with me having two pregnancies so close together) says I’m an excellent candidate for a VBAC. She did warn me, however, that many hospitals don’t allow VBACs at all anymore. We have a big decision ahead of us (if we are given the opportunity to make it). We will fast and pray a great deal about this, and listen to our doctor’s advice, and follow the spirit. I know we will be guided and everything will work out.

Asher and this baby should be a little over 16 months apart, depending on when our Sweet #6 actually arrives. I’m thrilled, Rick is thrilled, the kids are thrilled. What can I say? It’s a thrilling time around here! I feel so incredibly blessed. I still cannot believe how quickly and easily this happened! I am nursing full-time and we weren’t trying to get pregnant. I wasn’t even watching my cycles at all. And now here we are, with a sweet, incredible, miraculous baby on the way!! We are so blessed!

Well, I think that just about covers everything I want to say tonight. Let’s see… new baby, very blessed, happy big brothers and sisters. I’ve talked about pregnancy tests, baby names, calorie consumption, and celebratory dinners. I’ve even admitted to dancing around in my bathroom with a still-damp pregnancy test in my hand. So, yeah, I think I’ve said everything I need to say.

But… there is one thing that I’ve already said that I cannot say enough… I am so thankful for this precious little life! I am so grateful for this baby! I am so happy that we will have SIX beautiful children! I am so thankful and so blessed and so happy and I just cannot stop smiling!!

Our Fun Day

We used to take field trips several times a month, but it’s been a while since we’ve taken one.  Last night Rick and I decided that it was time for us to take a field trip. This morning, we got up early and got everyone dressed. I was feeling queasy, but I managed okay and I felt much better once I got a little breakfast. It was honestly exciting to feel that queasiness welling in me… exciting because it means that things are hopefully going well with this pregnancy and also exciting because I still wasn’t as sick as when I was this far along with Asher! 

Our field trip destination was a surprise to the kids so they spent the 30 minute drive guessing what we were doing. They guessed the zoo, the swimming pool, grandparents’ houses, and so on. The anticipation built as we got into the city and found a parking garage, and it grew even more as we walked to our final stop. Finally we arrived at the Children’s Museum, much to everyone’s delight.

The Museum was so much fun for all of us. It’s a very hands-on facility, full of lots of imaginative and explorative play. There was a construction site (complete with miniature cranes, construction plans, giant blocks, and lots of tools), a grocery store, a farm, a climbing wall, a theater, a news room studio, a water table, a giant play house, a real life flight helicopter, and much more. The kids had a blast playing and exploring. We all had a great time!

After we’d played for much of the day, we headed a few blocks away to our favorite pizza place. It’s the only pizza place we know of that serves gluten-free pizza so it’s a real treat when we go! I love giving our Celiac kids a chance to feel totally normal as they eat yummy pizza in a pizza parlor. The pizza place is tiny and cozy and there is a certain feeling of excitement whenever we go there. 

Once we’d eaten, we walked to our favorite bookstore, which is just a few doors down from the pizza place. I love this bookstore! It has a small front door, giving the place a cozy feeling. There is a tiny cafe just inside the door, and a long, narrow front room. From there the bookstore just opens up magically. There are stairways, hallways, balconies, and corner rooms. It’s crazy how many books are tucked away in there, and how many new rooms you find as you explore. Just when you think that you’ve certainly found the last room, another room opens up. It’s like magic. I love the contrast of all that stuffed unexpectedly behind a tiny door on a busy city street.

The floors are creaky and crooked. Some ceilings are vaulted, and others are so low that you have to duck. There is a giant, unexpected brick arch way in the basement. There are random, mis-matched, second-hand chairs tucked all over the store.  This is the kind of place that I would have spent hours in as a child, worked at as a teenager, and taken Rick to on a date when we were engaged. And our kids love it as much as I do. They know the rules so they are quiet and respectful during our visits, but the excitement shines out in their faces as they explore the books. We always let them pick one or two to buy.

I love how excited the kids all are about reading. I love how well-behaved they are when we visit. I love that they love this bookstore as much as I do, and that they have come to expect a visit there every time we go into the city.

We spent over an hour in the bookstore. Each of the kids picked a book to buy. Joshua picked two because he needs books of a higher reading level than the Junie B Jones books and because he wanted books ”for boys.” We got him books at reading levels 3.8 and 4.3 and he is excited about reading them.

The kids all read their books on the ride home. (Apparently none of the kids inherited my propensity for car sickness.) I found myself exhausted as we drove home, that good old pregnancytired. It felt good to be tired, another great reminder of our baby on the way! I slept as we drove, and then took a nap once we got home. It was a short nap, about 45 minutes long, and it was soooo nice! Rick woke me up when it was time for wrestling practice.

After dinner and scripture study, we put the little boys to bed and let the older kids watch the movie Bolt. They got to bed late, especially for a school night, but it was fun.

Tomorrow we have homeschool as usual. The kids will also be writing reports about our field trip. I also need to wash a bunch of laundry and clean my house. Joshua has gymnastics tomorrow evening and my brother and his family will arrive tomorrow night. We’re leaving for a trip on Friday morning. There is an out-of-state wrestling tournament this weekend and both of our parents live near there so we’ll be going to the tournament and visiting grandparents as well. We’ll also celebrate Joshua’s upcoming birthday. There is a lot to do before we leave.

Today was a great day, a really great day.

A Big Day for Our Little Guy

Asher had quite the day today, filled with firsts and the obligatory photo shoots. Here’s a quick recap of Asher’s big day…

Asher’s New Shoes

I usually put shoes on my first four babies. I felt that shoes kept their feet warmer and their socks on. Plus tiny shoes just looked so stinkin’ cute on a baby. But with Asher, I’ve really liked the chubby-foot-in-a-little-sock look. His feet are so round that I find them simply scrumptious in just socks, no need to hide these adorable feet away inside shoes. Today I decided to let Ash try wearing a new (to him) pair of shoes. They are hand-me-downs from Braden, but Braden’s feet were too skinny and they never stayed on. They fit Asher perfectly and he was excited about pulling the laces and chewing the toes.

Asher’s New High Chair

Brenna, Josh, and Maddie all used the same high chair, but I gave it to my sister-in-law rather than storing it for Braden to use. I bought Braden a new high chair when he needed it. When we moved, Braden was big enough to sit at the table in a booster seat so I gave his high chair to a different sister-in-law. Up until this week, Asher has despised food so he hasn’t really needed a high chair. When I’d offer food (that he’d inevitably refuse) I’d plop Asher in the bumbo seat or the exersaucer to eat it. Asher finally started eating solids recently and- because he’s too wiggly for the bumbo and the saucer is a bit awkward to haul around- I decided it was time for a new high chair. And I decided that I wanted to spend extra money and get a nice one.

I bought a nice Graco high chair. It has all the features that were extra-nice when I started having babies but are now expected… reclining seat, one-handed tray removal, dishwasher safe tray, and so on. It also folds flat for storage, which is great because not wanting to store a bulky high chair was the main reason I gave our others away between babies. And I love the fabric, which is soft but very scrubable. Even the colors are cute. Asher enjoyed his high chair at dinner tonight. I put him in it and I was both delighted by how darling he looked and scared by how grown up he suddenly seemed.

 

Asher’s First “Big Kid” Bath

Asher has always taken baths laying flat on a giant bath sponge. He’s never really been a fan of baths, but he tolerates them. Now that he’s 8 months old and sitting pretty well, I decided to give him a “big kid” bath by letting him sit in the tub with the other kids. I thought he might enjoy it, but Asher was less than thrilled. In fact, he seemed kind of crushed by this bath time betrayal. I could almost hear him saying, “But I am already clean, Mom!” I took a picture (I just had to) and then bathed him quickly and put him into pajamas. He cried the entire time, but cheered up as soon as he was snuggled up with me and nursing.

Asher’s Going to be a BIG Brother!

For those who missed my previous post or didn’t see the new title of my blog, Asher is, indeed, going to be a big brother! This is the face Asher made when I told him the exciting news tonight. (Okay, so I actually just said, “gabba babba boo boo” in a very high-pitched voice. But I’m pretty sure that’s Baby Speak for “Congratulations, son. You’re going to be a big brother!”

Asher seems to think that this new baby announcement is the best news ever. I couldn’t agree more!

Notice Anything?

Well, do you?

Baby in the Grass

The weather is gorgeous lately. It feels like June most days. Recently Asher had the chance to sit in the grass for the first time. Of course, being that this was a very momentous milestone, I took the opportunity to take a few pictures of my very adorable baby in the grass.

Tournament Food

I bring a big green bag of food to every wrestling tournament, and I keep lots of snacks and drinks and treats on hand for use only at tournaments. The kids refer to these snacks as “tournament food.” Today Braden held up his half-eaten corn tortilla and announced. “I wanna bring this to wrestling. Can I put it in the green bag?”