Blessed days

These are blessed days because I can count them. I have a need to put numbers to days. Like 300 days till Christmas, or 20 days till vacation. My count at the moment is 6 more days of formal lessons! In 6 days the girls and I will have completed 5/6 th grade, and 2nd grade! we have had challenging times, but right now I LOVE HOMESCHOOLING. My enthusiasn is boosted by the 2007-2008 homeschooling catalogue we got last week. Oh the treasures to be had for next year. Adding a few things for the younger kids, and a LOT for #1 student who will be in 6/7th grade.

We also look forward to the summer semester. This involves singing latin and catching and observing and painting a lot of the world around us. Our upcomming trip to Utah will give us prime opportunity to do this in a different geographical zone. But I have to remind the kids that, unlike Maine, Utah DOES have poisonous snakes! Rattlers happen!

So it really is 20 days till vacation, and 6 days till the end of school! (I'm not sure about Christmas) Yeah!

Growth Spurt!

Six weeks today and right on target for the traditional 6 week growth spurt--as evidenced by Arveragus nursing constantly, and sleeping heavily in between the constant nursing. If it sounds impossible for an infant to both sleep AND nurse ALL THE TIME, you have not experienced the mother/baby-time/space wormhole.

Latest stats--223/4 inches and 12 lbs 11 oz! Let us contemplate for a moment how large he will be on the other side of this growth marathon!

The secret to

getting the dishes done at 6:30 pm when Daddy is away and the newborn has just woken up? A loving older sister of course! When I see my older children caring for the baby I'm always reminded of those ubiquitous photos of little African girls carrying their baby sibling on their backs. A rare sight in our culture, but not in this family!

REALITY

It has been raining for the past 3 days. I have been homeschooling and trying to act 'normal'. Of course, I have to find the new normal now that Arveragus has joined us. A small baby takes a lot of work! He nurses a LOT. It's hard to get up and fly around tidying the house, baking bread, washing dishes, etc with a little nursey boy hanging on all the time. On top of that, the rain has kept the little boys inside. Their antics have made me wonder how I ever survived the winter with them inside most of the time! I reached my limit today and was heard saying things like "GO OUTSIDE! You're not allergic to rain! Boots, Coats, OUT!"

Then a servant of GOD appeared. Her name is Sondra, and at noon she stopped by and offered not only to take the boys, but also to feed my family dinner at her house before our joint T-ball practice and church run. (Happy feast of the Ascension! 40 Days after Easter!)

I have educated my girls, tidied my bedroom, and baked the bread in relative peace. . .with little nursey guy hanging on for the ride. I've also looked for the LOST KITTEN. Yup--only four are there right now. VERY MYSTERIOUS. I hope we won't find a sad kitten body. I really hope it won't smell. Everyone else is healthy and happy and Mommy-cat is not upset or anything--can't figure it out! I'm hoping getting endless toys out from under Thalia's bed will reveal happy kitten. . .or not!

Happy One Month Day

One Month ago today you were a brand new little mushy ball of sweet smelling love. Today you are a bigger mushy ball of sweet smelling love! But more than that, you are now smiling, holding your head up, and pooping! OK, you were always pooping. Through all the noise of your busy siblings and Mom you sleep and nurse. You like being in the tub with me, and like hearing the spin cycle on the washing machine. You weigh more that 11 lbs now! I love YOU!

Mamma

Blessed Babies

What a busy and beautiful weekend. Sweet Arveragus, when you were baptised , with Godmama Shannon holding you, you looked into the distance and smiled and cooed for a solid minute. I can only imagine the angels you saw rejoicing at your spiritual birth! I love you much! (as Tadeu says).

Sister Thalia joined in the renewal by receiving Jesus for the first time the day before you were baptised. God is Good!

Mama

Overheard

5 Year old boy: Dad, lets walk through the woods and cut things down. We can bring your hatchet and the other thing.

Dad: Machete?

5 year old: Yeah! Your chete!

What Do You Get. . .?

When you mix a two weeks post-partum Mom with a stomach bug?

A: A great appreciation for how capable and loving and helpful your 11 year old daughter is.