Good news, Bad news....

The good news is... I have been able to sleep through the night most nights for the last two weeks :)

The bad news is... this is why.I'm going to have a thumbsucking habit to break in little James. But I guess it's worth the extra ZZZZs.

JAMES JOSEPH

I've finally gotten around to posting some baby pics!

Not much to say but that he is so cute...

And funny...

and his sister loves him....

So does his other one... And Thomas likes to pretend to be him too.... I'm in love!
Now if only I could DO something :)

Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
FOR TODAY April 1,2009...Outside my window...it is just getting light out and the cars are covered with pollen.I am thinking...i don't think my brain is quite awake yet.I am thankful for...Allen fixing the wheel barrow instead of buying a new one. He's so handy!From the learning rooms...the boys are getting a lesson in attentiveness. And, they are starting daily journal writing.From the kitchen...maybe peach crepes for lunch.I am wearing...my nightgown and James on my shoulder.I am creating...a family constitution per Benjamin's request. He's pretty visual, likes things written down.I am going...to be here all week, drop me a line :)I am reading...labels and trashing the artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners. Oh, and anything made in China!I am hoping...I can finish some things that need finishing without getting so distracted that they don't get done at all.I am hearing...birds chirping outside and the train going by. I have lived near the train since I was 9 and I think that if I ever didn't live near one I would miss it.Around the house...I've been able to keep my flat surfaces in the kitchen mainly clutter free since Allen bought this nice, big desk to keep my clutter somewhat organized.One of my favorite things...I noticed that the kitchen is getting a little sunlight now in the afternoon. Sunny kitchens are so cheery! I just wish my kitchen window faced south instead of north so that I could harvest that cheer in the drearier seasons.A few plans for the rest of the week:WASH THE DOG!, practice some music for Easter, put together some meaningful Holy Week activities.Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Amber climbed into James's crib (it was hers not too long ago :) and was playing in it for quite a while pretending she was the baby. I laid her favorite brother down so that "jay ta-ku me?" (translation, can I take care of james?) Love, Gloria

Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/


FOR TODAY... March 16, 2009Outside my window...it is a beautiful, puffy clouded, sunshiny, rainy, Irish day. I think St. Patrick visited us a little early.I am thinking...that if I don't change, nothing else will.I am thankful for...the desk that allen bought for our computer. It is big enough for me to actually do paperwork on and still have room for office supplies and bills and some school supplies too (yes it's big). And I am finally able to keep that dreaded pile of papers off of the kitchen counter :)From the learning rooms...Benjamin is studying the elements and everyone else is focusing on the basics.From the kitchen...I am trying something new, individual meat loafs like burgers with pork & beans, peas and buiscuts from scratch.(update...the meatloaf burgers needed onions! Otherwise, dinner turned out fine, I guess, because it's GONE!)I am wearing...a cotton floral sweater, a blue broom skirt with white flowers, and my favorite old, beat-up Ariat boots that are made from sherling suede and leather. I wish they still made them. *sigh*I am creating...diapers and covers from fabric that I bought Friday, and a mei tai baby pack.I hope they turn out OK.I am going...to get my taxes sent out this week :I am reading...the life of The Blessed Virgin by Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich to the children; interesting.I am hoping...That Allen feels better after taking care of his sore tooth.I am hearing...Amber sing "DO DO DO" while softly playing the piano; too cute!Around the house...our garden needs to get started or we won't have one, and we're goin to need one!One of my favorite things...trying new things.A few plans for the rest of the week: get taxes done, school, and finish mei tai.Here is picture thought I am sharing...James's first photo with his eyes open :)

Little saints

Our home is populated by 8 little saints now! James Joseph was baptized today and it was so good to see Father Alphonsus again too. The twins also made their first confessions.


Holly got to be the proxy godmother for Anne who had to drive the girls to class. She was so proud!

Poor James cried the entire time:( But Holly was such a trooper:)

Sorry this post is so short and disjointed, but life postpardum still needs adjusting and time for much is wanting. As it is, I finished this post 2 weeks late.
Blessings from our family to yours!

~Gloria

Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
FOR TODAY ...February 9, 2009
Outside my window...It is a beautiful, frosty, sunny, morning. I think it will be cold. I miss how I never got cold when I was pregnant.
I am thinking...that I really need to get my act together school-wise, I've been slacking :(
I am thankful for... all of the loving kids in this house always begging to hold the baby:)
From the learning rooms...brush-up on catechism because we get to go to mass tomorrow.
From the kitchen...my easy biscotti recipe for the baptism tomorrow, and pancakes for breakfast today.
I am wearing...my brown corderoy skirt, long socks, an off-white shirt with fall flowers on it and blue fuzzy slippers.
I am creating...no time for that right now:(
I am going...to mass tomorrow for the first time in forever it seems.
I am reading...the life of The Blessed Virgin from the visions of sister Ann Catherine to the boys at night.
I am hoping...I can keep it all together tomorrow as the children haven't been to mass in a long time.
I am hearing...a little baby starting to cry. I may have to cut this short.
Around the house...my MIL has been helping me keep up with the laundry:)
One of my favorite things...an empty laundry basket!
A few plans for the rest of the week:Mass and baptism of James and Julianna (who was born on my birthday!:) tuesday, and James' circumcision on Wednesday.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...James at only a couple hours old;)

Baby pics

I have been so busy and tired that I haven't taken pics since the O.R. picture of Dad and James. I will remedy that as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience :)

Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
FOR TODAY...February 2, 2009
Outside my window...It is a beautiful day with warm sunshine and no frost from last night. Very unseasonable weather. I am thinking...that it will be difficult to 'rest' this week. I've already been tempted to pick Amber up.I am thankful for...the friends that I have praying for me. I can't imagine what it would be like without them.From the learning rooms...we will try to finish up the First Holy Communion notebooks before the baptism on Tuesday next.From the kitchen...whatever Dad can cook up for a couple more days :)I am wearing...a black and white tiered skirt with a white shirt, a grey shawl, and my blue fuzzy slippers.I am creating/growing...a fat happy baby that just loves nursing. I have a feeling that he will grow fast.I am going...to get cabin fever this week because I'm not going anywhere.I am reading...the inside of my eyelids because I can't stay awake for much else ><.I am hoping...that I can get into a new rutine soon so everyone is more comfortable and knows what to do with their time instead of just goofing off. I've been a little too relaxed in my homeschooling lately. I am hearing...Amber playing the piano and Peter tell me all about holding James play-by-play :)Around the house...Dad is doing a great job taking care of everything. His mother has been invaluable in the laundry room. My room still needs help though. I didn't quite take care of everything like I wanted to.One of my favorite things...is watching my boys melt over a baby ;)A few plans for the rest of the week:Rest,feed James, rest, Huga Amber, repeat :)Here is picture thought I am sharing...My niece, Christina and I spent the night together in postpardum at the hospital with our little bundles James and Eve.Eve tried to have the same birthday as James, but missed it by a day.

It's a boy!!!!!

Welcome James Joseph!He weighed in at 10lbs. 4oz.measured 22inchesand made 7 children smile from ear to ear!I want to thank everyone for your prayers. They were fealt by me and the graces poured onto others too. I prepped for surgery and the anethstesiologist commented on how calm I was and how 'textbook' everything went. The assisting surgeon was a joy to work with and made the whole thing lighter. James' APGAR was 9.9! and we were able to hold him right after surgery(that's Dad holding James in O.R.)and nurse in the recovery room (yay)!!!My niece, Christine and I ended up delivering within 24 hours of each other and her very difficult labor ended in the joyful arrival of a beautiful baby girl named Eve. We were able to room together :) It was fun telling the staff that we were related and the babies were second cousins :0] I don't think that happens very often. It was so nice rooming with someone I knew too.My 'vacation' went better that I had expected and the kids survived well with Dad, even though Amber kept saying 'mamma, baby, mamma, baby?'.I think she missed me :(She's more content now that I'm back and she's why I didn't stay 'till Monday.Now I need to tell myself to do nothing so that I rest and heal. I hope I listen to myself :)Happy Birthday James!