A Very Important PSA and Other Info

I am posting the following information from one of my on-line friends. I have had people laugh at me for my "over-protectiveness" in regards to harnessing heavy furniture. Laugh all you want; these kinds of accidents (and much, much worse!) happen. Please read and learn!!

"Please, please, please, even if you have children "old enough to know better," anchor your tall/heavy furniture to the wall. Do it ASAP. It was on our list of things for DH to do before he left in May for 5 months, but he didn't get to it. As a result, my almost 8 year old has a fractured skull. I truly believe that had the situation only been very slightly different, he wouldn't be here today. (I can explain more later, but it just could have been much worse) Even with the injuries he did have, he narrowly escaped having surgery, as he was leaking blood and brain fluid from his ears. He has some hearing loss which may or may not be permanent. He can't walk alone yet, but is getting there. This all happened Wednesday evening. He's doing great now (as great as a kid with 2 skull fractures can be), and has improved a ton in the last few days, and will hopefully be coming home on Sunday. I'm at home for the night for the first time since it happened. DH is home on emergency leave, and is spending the night with him tonight.

Please don't let this happen to you. I never would have thought that A would climb up on a dresser, but he did. He's about as tall as the dresser, and can reach the buttons on the TV on top of it, but climbed so that he could see how the TV looked up close. Nevermind that across the hall, there's a TV on a table 2 feet off the floor - he climbed the dresser instead. Kids who know better still do stupid things. So, please, anchor your furniture. I don't want anyone to go through the absolute terror that I felt that night."

I have started a new blog at http://momof4sweets.wordpress.com . The layout is a bit more user-friendly and I just needed a change. Please come visit there for the most up-to-date info on my journey and the sites we see along the way!!!

Vacation note and the Nestle Boycott info

Things here in Marlaland have been very busy the past week. We were on vacation last week, Monday through Friday, up on the side of a mountain in a beautiful cabin outside Luray, Virginia. This week, it has been back to reality. I think I MUCH prefer the mountains!!

Just a quick blurb about the Nestle boycott. I've had a number of friends ask about why I do my best to boycott Nestle products. You can read about the boycott from the link to the right. The basics are here:
"Boycott Nestle and help save lives.

Nestle promotes artificial infant feeding around the world, breaking a World Health Organization (WHO) code of marketing. Nestle makes a profit while others count the cost.

* WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund say that reversing the decline in breastfeeding could SAVE 1.5 MILLION LIVES EVERY YEAR. Millions more infants become seriously ill because they are not breastfed.
* Where supplies of water are unsafe and conditions unsterile, a bottle-fed baby is up to 25 times more likely to die as a result of diarrhea. Expensive formula (often costing more than half the entire family income) impoverishes people who are already poor. Milk is often watered down to make it go further, thus adding the extra risk of malnutrition.
* A breastfed child is less likely to suffer from gastroenteritis, respiratory and ear infections, diabetes, pneumonia, polio, allergies and other illnesses. Bottle baby disease is the name given to the deadly combination of diarrhea, dehydration and malnutrition, which is the result of unsafe bottle-feeding.
* Breastfeeding is the best start in life for a child - but Nestlé's baby food marketing puts profits before health.
* Baby Milk Action coordinates the 18 country international Nestle boycott, focusing on Nestle because it controls about 40% of the world market in baby milks and uses its influence to undermine controls on marketing activities. Monitoring shows Nestle to be the largest single source of violations worldwide. The Boycott is supported in the UK by over 100 church, health and consumer groups, over 90 businesses 80 student unions, 17 local authorities, 12 trade unions, 74 politicians and political parties and many celebrities.
* Nestle has been warned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) not to repeat claims made in the 1996 anti-boycott advertisement.

Nestle takes notice of sales figures - by boycotting Nestle, you can help stop these unnecessary deaths.

What you can do

1. Don't buy any Nestle products. If the company you work for provides Nestle products in Vending machines or in the staff canteen, make sure whoever is responsible is aware.

2. Email this message in your own words:

"I understand that Nestle baby milk substitutes contribute to the unnecessary death of 1.5 million infant deaths per year, I therefore pledge to do my best not to buy any Nestle products. I shall continue my boycott until independent monitoring demonstrates that Nestle no longer unethically advertises or promotes breastmilk substitutes."

3. Forward this message to all your colleagues and friends by email, and tell others who don't have email access.

The above information has been taken from the Baby Milk Action website.

Contact Baby Milk action for information on how you can join and contribute to their campaign.

Email: info@babymilkaction.org

Tel:(01223 464420 Fax:(01223)464417

Notes:
1. UNICEF reviews contaminants:
The possibility of breastmilk contamination has recently been portrayed in alarmist headlines by the media. A UNICEF paper 'Breastfeeding and Environmental Contamination' reviews the evidence. The superiority of breastmilk, despite the presence of small quantities of chemicals is affirmed. One study cited estimates that 'about three days of life expectancy would be lost because of cancer attributable to contaminant exposure through breastmilk. In contrast the decrease life expectancy from not breastfeeding was about 70 days'
2. Exclusive breastfeeding recommended for 'around 6 months': This is one of the conclusions of a WHO. report reviewing existing scientific knowledge about complimentary feeding in developing countries. The report states that 'full-term infants with appropriate weight for gestational age should be exclusively breastfed until about 6 months of age' and that 'children should continue to be breastfed for up to 2 years of age or beyond'
3. The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk substitutes was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981. It aims to protect all mothers and babies from aggressive company practices and to ensure that they receive accurate information. It bans all promotion of baby milks and other breastmilk substitutes."

I have a list of Nestle items and have been making a more concentrated effort to make sure I do not spend my hard earned money on their products.Let me know if you'd like more info!!

More soon........

My Goodness, She's Getting Big!

Fear not, I have not dropped off the face of the Earth, and will soon resume posting my rants and raves.

Today, however, is a day to pause in remembrance of those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to secure and ensure our freedom. God Bless each and every one of them.

On a much lighter note, my mom sent me some pictures she took last night of Abby AKA Baby Gracie Blue-Eyes! So sweet!!!!! Enjoy!




Talking. She seems to have inherited my gift of gab, and Max's LOUDNESS!!

Response from Gerber

I wrote to Gerber regarding the #7 plastic that Abby's Organic baby food was packaged in, asking their plan for removing this hazard from a popular source of baby food.

from my www.IHMMB.com board :

"Got my response from Gerber today. Totally what I expected. Good to know big corporations that gladly accept millions of our dollars are SO responsive to our concerns :

"Marla,

Thank you for your e-mail.

Safety is our top priority at Gerber Products Company, and we have an 80-year history of helping parents raise happy, healthy babies. Gerber confirms the safety of all our products and we encourage our consumers to always contact us immediately if they have a question or concern.

Regarding your question concerning number 7 plastic package of pureed baby food, Bisphenol-A is not used in making the plastic cups for Gerber puree products.

The FDA has considered the relevant data available on Bisphenol-A and concluded that these compounds can be safely used under the conditions established by the FDA. BPA when used as a component of packaging has played an important role in maintaining and protecting product quality and safety for many years. Gerber believes that when used as intended by FDA, these products are safe.

Parents with questions are welcome to contact our Gerber Parents Resource Center, which is open for consumer calls 24-hours a day, 365-days per year. The telephone number for the Parents Resource Center is 1-800-4-Gerber.

Best wishes from your friends @ gerber.com."


Gee, I'm so surprised they believe these products are safe.

I will NOT be purchasing any other Gerber products.

Bisphenol A aka I Just Threw Away $100 Worth of Plastic!

Much has been written lately about Bisphenol A and the dangers it presents in food containers and baby bottles. A quick summary as to why it is a problem:

from www.ewg.org

"Health/Toxics: Bisphenol A

Issue Summary

BPA is a component of epoxy resins that are used to line food cans and to make hard plastic polycarbonate bottles and containers, popularized by Nalgene and others. It leaches into food, water, and infant formula and has been detected in 93 percent of all Americans tested by the Centers for Disease Control. BPA raises special concerns because numerous studies have found it to be toxic at exposure levels equivalent to or even below the amounts detected in people. BPA is linked to breast and prostate cancer and neurobehavioral changes in offspring exposed in the womb.

BPA is a signature compound in the fight for reform of the nation's toxic chemicals laws. It contaminates nearly all Americans, it causes toxic effects at very low doses, the effects associated with BPA, like breast and prostate cancer, are on the rise, yet the EPA has only the most clumsy and convoluted authority to control its use and reduce exposure to populations at risk."

Now, I am not usually an alarmist when it comes to environmental dangers, and try not to overreact to every "this could be harmful" article that comes along. BPA, however, is scary. The fact that it is SO prevalent, that it has been so strongly linked to some health issues that have become epidemic in my lifetime, and that the time frame for highest exposure is from birth to six years old is enough to make me take a second look. The research is bothersome and the fact that many European countries and Canada have acted so much faster in safeguarding the health and well-being of their citizens in regard to these toxins only serves to illustrate the power of the almighty dollar in determining public health policy in America. That is a subject for a different post altogether, though!

I checked the 2 baby bottles we still own and the are Medela's, which are regarded as safe. I just threw away 19 plastic food containers, 8 sippy cups, and a bunch of other cheapy cups and dishes we have accumulated over the years. Based on what is out there being reported there are problems with toxins leaching from type 3, 6, and 7 plastics. I was shocked to see that the Organic Gerber baby food I had bought for Abby is packaged in toxic type 7 plastic! I wrote to Gerber last night and am awaiting a response, and chucked out 8 2-packs of baby food. Back to Earth's Best Organic for Abby.

Please take the time to read about BPA, and protect your children and your family. It is becoming glaringly more apparent that we cannot and should not trust ourselves and our loved ones to a bureaucracy that places safety somewhere less than first in its list of priorities.

Car Seats and My New Mission

I am absolutely stunned and dismayed at the number of intelligent, loving, caring parents who place their children in harm's way DAILY by using inappropriate or inadequate carseats. Parents who I know love and treasure their children, and MANY more anonymous folks who's cars I see out and about. Parents who don't realize, through misinformation or ignorance, the level of danger their child is in. While most parents do use child safety seats (though you'd be shocked if you really noticed how many DON'T), the number of kids in seats that are expired, or have been in crashes, or are not appropriate for their child's age/size/developmental level is absolutely appalling. I have been more and more aware of this problem the more I learn from on-line friends and research I have begun on my own. The problem is HUGE and one I feel passionate about trying to fix.

When I had Thomas, I knew we needed a carseat. I borrowed an infant seat from a friend with no written instructions, expiration date, nothing. My mom, grandma, and I loaded him in to take him home from the hospital and even, if I remember correctly, had the seat forward facing. We got home safe and sound, I turned the seat around in my car, and all was well. When he got a bit older, we moved to a bigger child seat, and then to a backless booster. I was oblivious to the dangers we were exposing him to, and had no comprehension about how lucky we were never to have been in an accident. I saw each move to a "bigger boy" car seat as a measure of how grownup he was. I now know how wrong I was.

I am not going to list all the ins and outs of car seat safety here. First of all, I am not qualified and there are TONS of on-line resources to do that. What I will say is this : keep your kids rear-facing as long as possible! Rear-facing is the safest way for littles to travel.

From http://www.carseat.org/Resources/633.pdf:

"Children in Sweden ride rear facing until they are three to five years old, lowering traffic

death and injury rates substantially. Convertible safety seats currently sold in the United

States can be used in the rear-facing position up to 30 pounds or more. For the best

protection available, children should ride rear facing until they are at least 18-24 months

old."

We are SO anxious to get our kids forward-facing, we put their safety in jeopardy. I read this information when Benjamin was little and kept him rear-facing til he was about 18months old. Max the same. Abby Grace will stay rear facing until she is 30 pounds. It is SO much safer. I have heard people say, " but they look uncomfortable." They are not bothered by being rear-facing if that is all they have known, and if they are uncomfortable, they WILL let you know, just as they do in other situations.

Once you turn your kids around, keep them in 5 point harnesses as long as you can. We all seem to see moving from a 5 point harness to a belt-positioning booster as a "step-up." It is NOT! It is a huge step DOWN in level of safety. Belt-positioning boosters have a place, but a 5 point harness is SO much safer. I have a seat for Benjamin that becomes a BPB as early as 30 pounds and is good til he weighs 100 pounds. I was very excited til I started to learn more. Unless your child sits straight up, facing-forward, with the belt positioned as it is supposed to be, and all belts and buckles hold properly each and every time, you are putting your child at risk. With our Tax Stimulus money, we are buying Graco Nautilus seats for both Benjamin and Max. It has a 5 point harness to 65 pounds, and a highback booster to 100 pounds. To learn about the importance of 5 point harnesses, you can go to http://www.usa.safekids.org or www.kyledavidmiller.org. I will warn you, the story and video of Kyle is heartbreaking and so sad, but his parents are turning the tragedy of their loss into awareness and that is a legacy to their beloved son.

From www.carseat.org : "Recognize each stage of restraint as a demotion, not a graduation."

I have also heard from SO many sources, to get your car seat installed properly, go to a fire station. While many fire, ems, and law enforcement officers are knowledgeable about car seat safety, FEW of them are actually certified. There is a National Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program that certifies individuals as child passenger safety technicians and instructors. In my area, only 1 ambulance authority and 3 fire stations are certified. Source : http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/FindFitting.cfm

The part of all this that is exciting to me is that there are classes for certification and I am currently looking into becoming a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. It will involve 4 days of classes, 3 tests, and travel, but it is a goal I look forward to accomplishing. It is a cause I believe in, and a great need is present. I am excited and will keep you posted!

The good news is that practical help is out there on the web for info, stats, and how-to. There is also financial assistance available to purchase appropriate, safe seats. Kyle's website has good info on that.

Bottom line - get as good and safe a car seat as you can, install it properly, use it EVERYTIME your child is in a vehicle, and keep them as buckled as you can for as long as you are able.

You just may save your child's life.

I Haven't Totally Disappeared!

Yes, I know I have not been blogging at all lately, mainly because I have been feeling quite conflicted. I have made my blog here a happy space, full of pictures of the cutest kids ever and the comings and goings of an everyday family. My "real" writing, which I have been doing more of lately, has been squirreled away in various Word documents, not being given a chance to see the light of day for fear of ruining the "happy, happy, joy, joy" world here in Blog-land. The truth of the matter is, while the record of our lives is fun and important to document, I have some strong opinions and thoughts on MANY subjects (yes, shocking, I know! ;O) ) and a desire to write something more than just fluff.

My first thought was a separate blog, a different home for the more controversial blog posts, but that felt dishonest and really, who am I kidding? I have issues updating one blog, nevermind two! So, I have decided that, if this is truly my blog, then I should write about what I want to, and readers can read, or not, as they so desire! Anyway, that is where I am today, and the path I see my Journey taking, at this point, knowing it can change at ANY time!!

Long ago (well, not THAT long ago...around the time we found out we were expecting Benjamin and 30 days later I found out I was losing my job of 10 years!) I figured out that we can decide where we are going and plan our lives, but so often, God decides He has something different/new/better for us and changes our direction, often radically! After a number of life changes I would have never planned on making had you asked me even 6 years ago, like homeschooling and staying at home ALL DAY with my kids to name just two, I can truly say that they are SO the right decisions for me, and I am SO grateful that I took the paths that have opened to me, once I got through arguing with God about what MY plans were and how this was NOT going to work! I plan on looking at my blog like that - I'll start with my plan and see where it leads....

Now, for the "fluff" portion of our broadcast...

Some obligatory adorable kid pictures,courtesy of Grandma. I haven't been clicking much lately..another thing I need to get back in the swing of!!!


When did Thomas get SO big???!!!


Sweet, smiley baby girl!!

Benjamin has the most intense, soul-filled eyes I've ever seen!
Can you say "understatement?"

The Road to Recovery

WHEW!! What a week! The good news is that we all seem to be recovering from our assorted nasties! Norman is still home and won't be going back to work til tomorrow. The boys are still napping and resting WAY more than is normal for them, and they all, including Abby Grace, have a gunky sounding cough, but the fevers are gone, and their appetites are back with a vengeance! I felt really run down this past weekend, from taking care of the troops, no doubt, but I was able to take a nap both Saturday and Sunday and feel like my normal self again!

Now that we are on our way to well, the hecticness (not a word, according to SpellCheck, which suggested I use exoticness instead!) starts back again!! Thomas' last 2 regular season basketball games are at home tomorrow and in Petersburg on Thursday; Thomas has an orthodontist appointment on Tuesday; and we have Electives on Friday. I miss our busyness and will be excited to be back among the out and about! I don't do well cooped up in the house, especially when everyone else is sick and I am not! While I am very sympathetic and caring when someone is REALLY sick, once it becomes just a bothersome yuckiness, my patience is pretty much gone! I would NOT make a good nurse!! Not at ALL!!

I did get out of the house on Saturday evening, for which I am very thankful!. My church, MCC, has moved to one Sunday service at 10:30, instead of having a service at 9 and 11am on Sunday. The half hour really didn't seem to be a big deal in theory. In reality, getting home from papers at 8:00-8:15 am on Sunday after working since 3:00am, and trying to get 3 kids 4 and under up, fed, dressed, and ready to go, in addition to Thomas and myself to drive 25-30 minutes to church is a problem! When we do manage to get there before 10:30, we usually have to park WAY out, and it's hard getting everyone in and to where they need to be. We are getting better as Abby gets a bit older and our schedule settles down a bit, but I have missed not having the worship and teaching time I love so much about church on a more regular basis. Well, in doing some research online, I found out about Commonwealth Chapel, an AOG church here in Richmond, 5 or 6 miles from our house, that has a Saturday evening service at 6:00pm!! I checked it out this weekend and LOVED it!! It is near VCU, and there was a VERY diverse group of people there - lots of students, but also lots of families with young children, but not a ton of people - maybe 100-125. I saw a few people I knew, LOVED the music and the sermon, and will be going back. They also have youth group on Sunday evening at 6pm, which would be much more workable for Thomas than Thursdays, later in the evening. We'll see how it goes!

Well, the littles are waking up and I have laundry to do and breakfast to make! SO happy they want to EAT breakfast!!! Oh, and Benjamin and Max are chasing each other since they both want the same drink container. Yes, everything is getting back to normal!!

Health Update

We are hanging in there. Did learn vomiting is a possible side effect of Tamiflu, courtesy of Max, and his antibiotics are causing horrible diapers and ensuing diaper rash, even with probiotics. Luckily, he is happy and sweet today, despite it all.

Benjamin spiked a 104.5 degree fever at 2am and is now miserable. I'm debating trying Tamiflu with him....but after my experience last night with Max, I can't help but think sick and sleepy beats sick, sleepy, and throwing up!

Abby was RSV negative, but flu positive. Tylenol, lots of nursing, and being held and/or rocked constantly are the only things making her happy right now.

Thomas is still asleep, but I can hear his cough from upstairs...

I am headed with Norman and Abby to Patient First. I am hoping Abby will nap and I can do some paperwork in the van while Norman gets seen. He really isn't any better, and his cough is possibly worse.

Me, I'm fine, just tired. Sad when the easiest part of your day is throwing papers at 4:30am in 30 degree weather!!

Thoughts and Prayers for Good Health

While I try to keep things here fun and entertaining, sometimes life interrupts and causes a change in my happy, healthy home. The last 4 days have, for the most part, been that interruption.

Norman has pneumonia- was fine on Friday, started feeling bad Saturday, and by yesterday, drove himself to Patient First and couldn't drive himself home. He is having a rough go of it.

Thomas also was perfectly fine Friday, came home from a friend's house Saturday saying they both weren't feeling well, and he slept the whole day yesterday, with the exception of maybe 5-6 hours. Oh, and his cough started late last night.

Benjamin is coughing this morning, and is VERY grouchy - never a good sign.

Max. My sweet Max. The good news is he's already on antibiotics because of the hospital visit we had Thursday night after he cut the inside of his upper lip. Oh, and he looks pretty cute, despite the half black eye he got Friday evening falling into the kitchen table. But he has a bleeding horrible diaper rash, despite the probiotics I have him on (he often gets nasty rashes with antibiotic treatment.), and HIS cough started this morning. Joy. I've called the doctor and am waiting on a call back.

Abby Grace is doing fine. Happy and healthy, she came with me on my paper route this morning and was a smiley, sweet baby girl.

I am fine, just tired. My mom brought over some much needed groceries last night and dropped them at my front door. I am SO thankful I didn't have to lug Abby out to pick up the things we really needed! Thanks, mom!!

That's my world this morning. Please send your thoughts and prayers for health and healing. We could certainly use them around here!!

Oh my gosh...

I did not get a chance to take basketball pictures the other night, but this morning Thomas was up early and happily wearing something other that basketball shorts and a hoodie, since he and Grandma are headed to Homeschool Day at the Capitol, so I took some pictures....
It truly amazes and delights me to see the young man he is becoming. Such a good kid, but it just shocks me that one of MY children could be SO grown up!! Wow, time just flies.....

Where oh where have I been???

MIA from the blogosphere, that's for sure! Life sometimes interferes with the BEST of my intentions! The good news is that I made it through Homeschool Electives Applications and Registration in one piece with no computer meltdowns (and few Marla meltdowns!), the kids are all well and healthy, and it has been warm enough the last couple days for everyone to get outside!! THAT is a beautiful life, my friends!! But really, I just have felt so behind the 8 ball on a number of fronts lately that I neither had the time, nor felt like I could afford the luxury of hanging out online and updating. Progress is being made on the home and project front, slowly but surely, so I am taking the time today to get back in the blog swing of things!!

On the kid front, they are all doing well. Thomas is in the midst of basketball season, which means we ALL are in the midst of it! He's having a good season, really playing a more thought-filled game, and working hard at improving his jumping and running. Unfortunately for us, improving his jumping involves LOTS of jumping in the house when it has been cold outside. When you are 6'5" tall, you have to make sure of head clearance when jump-training....he can't jump upstairs in HIS space without injuring head and drywall, so it is usually in my dining room or den where he is bouncing up and down and up and down and up and down and WILL YOU PLEASE STOP THAT AND FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO! NOW! Sorry, but it gets to you after awhile.... Anyway, this week we have 3 games, today, tomorrow, and Thursday, and our Spirit fundraiser on Friday. The teams are raising money to help defray the costs of attending the 2008 East Coast Homeschool Basketball Championship at Liberty University March 17-21. http://www.hspn.net/Events/EastCoastTourney2008.asp is the web addy, if you'd like to check it out. We participated last year and it was a great experience. The boys will be raising money Friday by taking pledges for a dollar amount for each foul shot or 3 point shot they make. Thomas is competing in the Foul Shot Contest. It will be a fun, family evening, as they always have cool raffles and little kid activities to keep everyone entertained. Thomas loves basketball and Spirit is a great organization we have been so blessed to be a part of.

Benjamin and Max are doing well. Benjamin had his 4 year check-up last week and weighed 40 pounds and is 3'5 3/4" tall. He is such a serious little person, very intense and so sweet. He plays by himself so well, and has a great imagination. He really, thankfully, is NOT into mischief just for mischief's sake, and if he is in the other room and quiet, I am usually not worried that he is into anything, he's most likely just playing quietly.

Max, on the other hand, is a handful right now! He is WAY too cute for his own good, and thinks a cutesy smile and hug can get him out of whatever trouble he finds himself in, which is A LOT these days!! He has very little fear, even when he should be afraid, and is wide open, all boy. He makes my days interesting, and if he is quiet in the other room, I get a little nervous and head toward him quickly! He and Benjamin are so good together, most of the time, and it intrigues me, as different as they are. Maybe it's that whole opposites attracting thing...who knows?

Funny of the day - we went to Meadow Farm yesterday with the 3 littles and had a great time. They have had TONS of lambs born the last couple weeks, including 5 sets of twins and 2 sets of triplets. We were watching the lambs and Max wanted to know why the babies kept head butting their mamas. I explained it was to get her attention, when she is busy eating or whatever. Cut to last night, while I am cooking dinner. Out of nowhere, a small person headbutted my leg. I had totally forgotten our earlier conversation, and told him to stop. After 4 times, I sat him down and asked what in the world he thought he was doing. His response? "I want all your 'tenshun, mama!" They don't miss a thing!

Abby Grace, well, she is just perfect! Too little still to bounce, or talk back, or headbutt, just smile (or cry) and babble (or spit-up) and sleep (or not!), she is SO our little princess! This past week, we were hustling and bustling around, and I had taken her into our room to change her diaper, and Benjamin hopped up on the bed, looked at me with his soulful little eyes, and said "Can we just lay here and look at her, mama?" SO sweet. And of course we did! She is so much fun, and I am enjoying dressing her up WAY more than I thought I would! Thankfully, she's still very compliant!!

I'll close now with some recent pictures of the littles. I will be taking pictures of Thomas tonight in action at his game, and will post those tomorrow.

Inspirational and Heartwarming

I have just a couple minutes to update today but want to post the blog addy for an amazing family who I, and many many others, are praying for. Tricia is the sister of one of my cyber-friends from breastfeeding.com. Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis and was beginning preparation for consideration to be on the lung transplant list when she and her husband Nathan found out they were expecting their first child. Gwyneth Rose was delivered by c-section at a few days past 24 weeks. She weighed 1lb 6oz at birth on January 8th and is doing remarkably well thus far. Their story and faith is truly awe-inspiring and leaves one truly in wonder at the power of the heart and the strength of true faith in God and belief in His love and grace. I highly recommend a visit to http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/

Warm, Outside Days of......

Winter???!!!!!??? Really??? It is truly hard to reconcile the fact that it is January with the 70+ degree weather we have been having this week!! Even today, with cooler (low 60's) temps and rain, I just don't quite trust my calendar when it says "winter"! Crazy weather!!

Hard to believe, but Benjamin's 4th birthday was yesterday! It boggles my mind to see how fast he is growing, and the amazing little person he is!! He had a dentist appointment today, which he was just GREAT about!! No tears and got his teeth cleaned and everything!!! He is a proud member of Dr. Mike's No Cavity Club, and has his picture up on the wall of honor at the dentist's office! We are VERY proud!! :o)


Max is doing well. Talks ALL.THE.TIME. and is just the sweetest little helper you could ever ask for! He LOVES to be a helper, and we try to use that to diffuse the sometimes overly emotional behavior of a two year old!! He's keeping us busy!!

Thomas has been enjoying some unscheduled free time this week. With me neck-deep in Electives Applications, and the weather SO warm, he has been taking the littles out to play and run-off some energy. He has been talking to them about the Civil War and how the soldiers lived in tents, then made one for the 3 of them to hang out in...





and then used Benjamin's recent fascination with pirates to transform their play structure in to a pirate ship!

Oh, and he is working on teaching them how to play football...they have the tackling part down VERY well!!

Errands beckon, so I am off, but will leave with some recent pictures of sweet little Abby Grace. She is such a happy baby, cooing and smiling all the time! She makes us all smile!

Happy New Year!!

I know that it is now 2008, though I am still trying to wrap my mind around it! Doesn't seem possible! 2007 was a great year, full of changes and excitement, and we are looking forward to what 2008 holds in store!

Our New Year's Eve was VERY laid-back! I was in bed by 10:00!! Norman and Thomas stayed up and watched the ball drop and drank sparkling cider. Today we just relaxed and cleaned. Everyone's schedules are a bit off, so at 7:00, this is what the little littles are doing :
Norman has taken Benjamin to McDonalds to play in the PlayPlace and Thomas and I are doing some clothes sorting-out....


"Thanks, but I'm good in the sock-supply department!" (56 pairs!! That's A LOT of socks!!!)
Oh, and when the 2 year old is too quiet, and you think he might be up to something, he probably is.....of course, there are a LOT of worse things he could (and HAS!!) gotten into!!
Well, I am going to try to get to bed early, but wanted to wish everyone a very Happy 2008!!!