Yes, yes, yes....

I KNOW it has been too long since I posted, but things here are a rather delicately balanced juggling act these days, and it doesn't take much (an unexpected poopy diaper or need to be fed RIGHT NOW QUICK SHE'S STARVING!!! crying fit as we are headed out the door) to completely derail the BEST of intentions! You wouldn't think one little, tiny person could throw us into such disarray, but when Abby speaks, we all listen!

Things are rolling right along here. Abby Grace is nursing, and cuddling, and pooping, and sleeping, and nursing some more, and is just perfect! She is VERY laid back about all the cuddles, hugs, kisses and pokings of her older brothers, and is just SO sweet! We are all smitten!

Max and Benjamin are both doing well. We have had a few bumps in the road of sibling adjustment, but over all it has been amazingly smooth! I have tried to make a point of doing fun things with each of them alone, like going to the grocery store or sorting laundry, and that has helped. They are both excited about Trick or Treating tonight! They are going as knights, complete with chest armor and swords! Benjamin is VERY excited about the prospect of LOTS of candy - he is most definitely the sweet tooth of the family!

Thomas is doing very well! We went to the Orthopedist on Monday and he got the all clear to play basketball!! He will be in an ASO ankle brace for all practices and games ALL season, or anytime he is at risk of turning his ankle, but he is all good to play and was SO excited to get to practice on Monday! It was great to see him back on the court, jumping for rebounds and blocking the baseline! Woohoo! We got his preliminary Spirit basketball game schedule - 30 games between Nov. 16 and March 10, with the 4 day East Coast HomeSchool Tournament in Lynchburg, Va March 19-22. Thomas is SO excited and I am so thankful he didn't have a serious, season-ending injury!

Norman went back to work on the 22nd after 2 weeks off. It was nice having him here during those 1st weeks of adjustment, but he is glad to be back at work, and I am glad to be getting into a more "normal" daily routine with the boys and my little princess, though I am still in that 1/2 speed, get 1/2 of what you have planned for the day done mode. We get a little more efficient and a little less behind each day, and I am just going by the motto "Slow and steady wins the race." Not my usual mode of operation, but it will do for now!!

During the last month, we have been very blessed by my friends at church, in HEM and MOPS, who have been bringing meals and sending cards with love and prayers. I feel truly overwhelmed by the kindness and love we have been shown, and don't know HOW I can possibly thank everyone enough for all they have done. A message went out the week before Abby arrived when Thomas was hobbled, and I was overwhelmed and my friends stepped in and gave us such love and support. It brings tears to my eyes and shivers up my spine when I think of how amazing the people in my life are, and how privileged I am to know such great sisters in Christ. I am truly blessed and so very grateful.


Well, I am off to do laundry, and dishes, and help Thomas with a Biology experiment, and let Max and Benjamin color, and Abby will need to nurse soon, and so on and so it goes....

Before I go - a few pictures!

Mr. Happy - Such a sweet little fella! My little smiley man!

Benjamin and Abby Grace - he TRULY adores his little sister!Sweet, sweet baby girl!! The crutches...history! On to the hoop!!!

She is SO sweet!

And so are my boys! I wanted to post a quick entry before what looks to be a busy day. Abby Grace and I are heading to MOPS today, just the two of us, for some fellowship and love and hugs! I miss my friends when I don't see them, and am anxious for a few hours in the company of women, after being so surrounded by the fellas the last couple weeks!! Then later today the boys go to Grandma and Grandpas for the evening! Hard to know who enjoys/appreciates THAT more!! ;O)

Great news is that Abby Grace had her bilirubin test AGAIN yesterday, and it had dropped WELL below the level of 15 that her doctor was hoping for!! YAY!! No more heel sticks for now!! We are VERY happy about that! Yesterday she did NOT want the phlebotomist touching her little foot, and she SCREAMED the whole time they took her blood. They even had to stick her twice!! NOT the best way to start the day, but she recovered quickly and was back to her cuddly, sweet self!!

Benjamin and Max continue to be smitten. Max gets VERY excited when "Abby open EYES!!" and loves it when she had the hiccups. Benjamin LOVES to give her kisses and tell her how sweet and beautiful she is! Thomas coos at and talks to her, but usually only when no one is watching!!! :o)

Here are a few amazing pictures my mom took of the little princess on Monday. Complete with LOTS of pink!!!

A Quick Entry....

For someone NOT used to spending a great deal of time relaxing and resting, the past week has both flown by, and gone amazingly slow! I am SO not used to not driving and needing to ask for help lifting things and bending! Not how my daily life usually plays out!!!

We've had a few challenges this week - Abby's jaundice, which involved daily heel sticks for blood checks and two visits to her pediatrician (thankfully with no little boys in tow!), and some adjustments on the part of the boys to having a new sibling, and me to having Norman home and taking charge all day!

The boys LOVE Abby, and my big concern is a bit TOO much love, say, when Norman is back to work and I have to run to the bathroom! We find ourselves repeating, over and over, "You can't touch the baby without a grownup with you!!" I am researching protective netting for the 2nd porta-crib we are going to get and set up in the living room/dining room, to keep curious boys and their toys OUT of her safe space!! Please send along any other suggestions you may have for keeping Abby protected from the overzealous affection of a rambunctious 3 1/2 year old and VERY physical 2 year old!!!

Well, today awaits!! I went and helped Norman on my route this morning, with Abby happily in her car seat, sleeping away, and Thomas at home babysitting the boys while watching SportsCenter! Abby has another Dr. appointment this morning, just a weight check and look-see to make sure her jaundice is leaving, and I have a few errands to run, now that I can drive again!! YAY!!

Oh, and here are a few pictures for your Monday viewing pleasure!! Enjoy!!

Introducing....Abby Grace Gallaher

Here is our little Princess! Abby Grace arrived at 8:12am on Oct. 5, 2007. She weighed 7 lbs. 4 1/2oz, 19 1/2" long, and is just perfect!! The little boys ADORE her! I was changing her in our room this morning, in her porta-crib, and Max was sleeping with Norman. He woke up, saw us, and his first words of the day were "See Abby NOW!" He and Benjamin ALWAYS want to hold her and are SO cute with her! Benjamin just keeps repeating "She's SO cute! She's BEAUTIFUL!" over and over and over!!Well, Norman and the littles are at the park, and Thomas is upstairs working on Biology, so I am going to lay down with the little Miss, to get some rest before things get crazy again!!

Almost There!!!!!

After MUCH waiting and anticipation, we are into the countdown to the arrival of our sweet new baby!! We are taking the boys to mom and Rich this evening to spend the night there, my route is taken care of for the next 8 days, and we are scheduled to be at the hospital at 6:00am tomorrow, with surgery set for 8:00am!! I am excited, nervous, tired, and READY!!!

Max and Benjamin have been asking when they are going to grandma and grandpa's since the got up at 7:15 this morning. We talked more about the baby today and Max laughs every time we say she won't have teeth, and Benjamin keeps letting us know that babies' heads are "soft and squishy",which he learned in his sibling class! We have also discussed the fact she will be coming home to live with us in a few days, to which Max puts his finger over his lips and says "ssshhhhhh."

Thomas is managing his injury well, getting around just fine, with a few crutch slippings, but not too many! He mostly is concerned about this setting him back for basketball, and I've tried to assure him I think he'll be just fine!!

Well, I have things to finish up to get ready for tomorrow! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, and I'll be back soon, with sweet baby shots!!

Not TOO Bad, but not so great, either!

It's been one of those good news, bad news kinda weeks, so far. The very relieving news is that Thomas' fibula IS broken, but it is very common, fairly minor break. He can start putting weight on it in 3 weeks, and walking without crutches in 4. He will miss some basketball practice, but hopefully should be up and running for the season.

The bad news is that the pain is subsiding, and now the boredom is setting in. He can't do the things he wants to do, he can't get around as easily as he usually does, and his sides and arms hurt. While I am glad his leg is not hurting, a bored, grumpy teenager is NOT particularly what we need around this house 4 days before the birth of our little one!

I have realized, too, that I MAY underestimate the help that Thomas is with Benjamin and Max. Having noone to chase them around the backyard, give them unlimited drink refills, and sneak them cookies while I am in the bathroom (while helping himself to one or two at the same time :o) ) has made them QUITE more to handle than they usually are, at a time when I have WAY too much to do! Max "helped" me clean out the refrigerator and Benjamin was sweet enough to empty out ALL his Pull-Ups and Max's diapers onto the floor. Twice!

Tomorrow will be another fun day, too, I'm sure! Norman came with me this morning on my paper route, and will in the morning, too. He has to learn the way to the 343 addresses I deliver to, all before 6:00am! We are NOT morning people, me especially, so trying to be upbeat and positive at 9 months pregnant at 4:00am is a true challenge!