This and That

Mary told me a story this morning. I'm not sure why all my toddlers have been convinced they need company while on the potty, but I suspect it is so they will have somebody to talk to while they take care of business. (It works out well for me, actually, since I can monitor their rate of t.p. usage.) Her story went like this: "Mom, Me tell you a story. Once upon a time a boy went outside. Then a man said 'Nanny-nanny-boo-boo'. That was all, but I was impressed. I don't remember the other kids even attempting to make up a story at only two and a half. So, that settles it... our Mary Mae is fantastic. ;-)

Baby and I reached another milestone this weekend: 25 weeks. This is significant to me because Robert was born at 25 weeks; I always feel a little better after passing this point, and it is kinda neat in that I have seen first hand exactly what a 25-week-old baby looks like. It's strange that such a tiny baby makes me feel so big! In the comments, Mom F. said that my exercise may make my labor and delivery "different", and that made me smile. I've read that exercise makes l&d quicker and easier. If it goes any easier or faster this time than it did the last two times, I'll wake up one morning to find Baby already born!

We have been enjoying unusually spring-like weather, unusual for the U.P. at least. Most of the last two weeks we've had highs in the 50's and lows just below freezing. Usually there is still significant snow cover through March, but our snow has almost completely melted. I really enjoy being able to go outside in just a t-shirt, and the kids are (of course) running around barefoot. Chances are we will get at least one more snowstorm before the snow season is over, but who knows... My dad always says "it is perfectly normal to have abnormal weather". I'm just glad this spring is "abnormal" in such a pleasant way.

That's all for now, God bless!

Eew...

If April 1st were not landing on Holy Thursday this year, I'd totally be making a from-scratch version of this cake for April Fool's Day.

Quick Pregnancy Update

We had a nice visit with the midwife today. Baby has really had a growth spurt, which almost explains why Mama gained about five pounds this month. ;-) We are easily able to feel little hands, feet, elbows, and knees in there... the fun part is trying to guess what knobby bump is what. At 23 weeks and 4 days I'm measuring 26 weeks, but measuring ahead is pretty normal for me. Baby is definitely head down, and his-or-her heart rate was around 140. My blood pressure was 112/70 which is really good for me; usually during pregnancy my bp is at the high end of normal. She said that can probably be attributed to the fact that I'm continuing to exercise. I think my fluid intake (about a gallon a day, almost all water) helps a lot, too. It is about time to get another picture; I'll try to remember to do that this weekend.

That's all I can think of. I'm feeling good, eating and resting well and getting through the day with just enough energy. Really, I can't ask for more than that! Every day I thank God for this precious little soul He has entrusted to us, and I ask that Baby will be safe and healthy.

God bless!

Beautiful Days

The last few days, we have been blessed with unusually beautiful weather. It is hard to believe that it is still late winter, and not yet early spring. The snow is completely melted back from our driveway and the roads. Last night, for the first night since probably November, we did not get below freezing. The old guys at the market keep saying not to count on spring yet; that we're bound to get more snow, and that March could still turn out to be a nasty month. My reply is that they are right, but that won't prevent me from appreciating every moment of these beautiful days.

In fact, I've been so inspired by the weather that I've decided to start updating my long-neglected Weather Blog again. Today I posted the snowfall report from this week's paper. Looking at March of last year, on the only day I recorded (March 2) we had a low of -22* and a high of 21. Contrast that with last night's low temperature of 33 and the high so far of 56.

Breaking news- Rain! As I'm writing this, Robert came in and said there is water falling from the sky in liquid form. There's something else we haven't seen since November. ;-)

Not to go on and on about the weather, but to quote Joseph: "Lord, thank you very much! I give you thanks for the rain, the stars, the moon, everything."

Amen.

God bless!

Daybook for today.

Outside my window... snow and clouds. My answers to this first question are getting pretty monotonous.

I am thinking... about when Thomas was born, six years ago today. He was my first homebirthed baby. It started out as a difficult labor because he was posterior, but then he turned and everything happened amazingly fast after that. February 24, 2004 was Mardi Gras, so we celebrated his birth with beads and King Cake. I asked him this morning what it feels like to be six; his answer, "about the same as five."

I am thankful for... Mary having fewer and fewer "accidents". I strongly dislike potty training, so it's a relief to have the process done... until next time.

From the kitchen... Last night we made 15-bean soup, and it was wonderful. It soaked and then cooked over wood heat for a day and a half before it was ready, but well worth the weight. I didn't use their packets of "seasoning" but just salt and pepper. The only problem was that the giant lima beans really were giant, and they somewhat resembled grubs. I ate them anyway; it is Lent afterall.

I am wearing... blue jeans and a green t-shirt.

I am going... to work in less than an hour. It's snowing pretty heavily, so I bet it will be a quiet night.

I am reading... a daily devotional booklet called "One Bread, One Body" from Presentation Ministries. I'm also still reading St. Faustina's diary.

I am hoping... I remember to bring home coffee tonight; we are almost out.

I am hearing... the usual household noise.

Around the house... big improvment, if you ask me. I'm spending about half an hour to an hour in a room, just doing whatever I feel needs to be done in there. Maybe by Easter I'll have most of my spring cleaning done.

One of my favorite things... stretching sore muscles. I went for a walk/jog outside on Monday, and it gave me a decent pair of shin splints.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I already mentioned I work tonight. Tomorrow I will do laundry, cook a couple of meals and make sure the kids do their chores, spend some time cleaning the bathroom, do my exercise, have two people over for "choir practice" in the afternoon, and work in the evening. Friday will be mostly the same as Thursday, but I will spend my cleaning time in our bedroom. I'm not sure whether we will try to run some errands Saturday morning or not, but we have Mass in the late afternoon and then we are going to have dinner at some friends' house. Sunday I work in the afternoon, and I plan to do as little as possible in the morning.

That's all I have time for right now; with all the interruptions this took "forever". I'm not even going to check for spelling or typos. ;-) God bless!

courtesy of The Simple Woman's Daybook

Daybook for Today

Outside my window... snow, sun, and temperatures that are almost above freezing

I am thinking... These days it is difficult to think of anything except the baby in my belly... especially when s/he is tickling me with little jabs and kicks.

I am thankful for... the season of Lent and the opportunity to grow closer to Jesus.

From the kitchen... Robert made the most awesome King Cake day before yesterday from Mardi Gras. We can't stop talking about how good it was. :o)

I am wearing... sweats today- dark blue sweatpants and a light blue hoodie

I am creating... a plan that will get our home and entire life more organized and again running smoothly. Really. I mean it this time. Honey, why are you laughing?

I am going... to permanently banish stuffed animals from the house.

I am reading... Saint Faustina's Diary; actually I'm only starting it today. I've never read the entire thing cover to cover, but maybe I'll be able to this time.

I am hoping... spring will not be too much longer. Fat chance.

I am hearing... Joseph, Daniel and Mary are in the kitchen eating apples. The boys are coming up with silly phrases for Mary to repeat. "Batman likes cantaloupe" sounds completely adorable coming from her.

Around the house... I just started my Lenten cleaning project yesterday; I don't want to look around too closely yet.

One of my favorite things... my darling, precious, wonderful, handsome, kind, loving and completely lovable husband.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Maybe I should start doing these posts earlier in the week, LOL! Tomorrow I work; Saturday we have errands and Mass; Sunday I work in the morning and then we will celebrate Thomas' birthday a few days early. I also plan to keep up on meals, laundry, daily chores, exercise, and my little house-cleaning project. I figure that will be enough to keep me busy.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing.



God bless!

courtesy of The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Baby Gianna Story

I want to share a link to a week-long series being published at Creative Minority Report, one of the few Catholic news-and-views kind of blog that I visit almost daily.

The Baby Gianna Story, part I

The parts are linked one into the next. It is heartbreaking, but so important for stories like this to be told. I warn you to have tissues handy, and I wouldn't suggest reading this from work or a public computer unless you want everyone around wondering what is wrong with you.

Tonight is Mardi Gras. I pray for all of us to have a blessed and fruitful Lenten season.