Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday, June 22, 2009...

Outside my window... Luke is mowing, girls are playing, Landen is hitting golf balls...everyone is sweating!

I am thinking...that today went "ok". This was the first day for Philip to return to work, and for me to be a mom to six darlings with no pain pills. It was OK.

I am thankful for...Philip. He has been very helpful this week. Presently he is at the hospital allowing them to administer the second round of PKU testing on Elizabeth's heal. He was happy to take her in my stead. He'll do a much better job (read: much less emotional job) and if things get tough, he will not have a meltdown nor will he begin to experience the dreaded baby-cry-activated lactation leakage!

From the learning rooms...this week is a 3-day week. Praise the Lord! We are starting a new incentive program for Landen - the child for whom we've been unable to discover a muse, a proverbial carrot, if you will. He struggles with being motivated to excel. If 75% is passing, then 75% is his goal. And we use the term "goal" quite loosely.

Nearly all of his peers have a cell phone. We're not ready to dive into unlimited texting, but we're not against him having a phone in his pocket. (He borrows one of ours when he goes across the way fishing.) This month he will earn minutes toward a prepaid phone. Every point higher than a 75 earns him a minute. Every point lower than a 75 negates a minute. At the end of July, we'll activate a phone with however many minutes he's earned. He can enjoy chatting as long as his school work stays current, and he'll be busily earning the next month's minutes. Cross your fingers!

From the kitchen...a friend called to say she's bringing over some homemade, whole wheat crusted, pizza. Yippee!

I am wearing...capris and last year's MP3 shirt. I've lost about half a pound a day since I came home. I'm sure it will taper off soon, and I'll have to do the hard work. For now, nursing and ultra hydration seems to be generally effective.

[mid-post time lapse: sat on the couch with Philip, served dinner, nursed the baby, tidied the kitchen, handled two disciplinary issues, sent everyone off to the ballpark to watch two rival teams square up]

I am creating...nada durn thang.

I am going...nowhere. Despite my two-night consecutive VBS excursions last week, the spirit of hibernation prevails. I just need to get accustomed to our "new normal". Then I can go be sweet and cute in public.

I am reading...nada stankin' thang.

I am hoping...that Elizabeth sleeps through the night before September. I'll be able to cope and survive until then, but at some point, Momma gotta have some sleep. I'm sure she'll do great!

I am hearing...the baby fuss and squirm.
...ok, no more fussing...i'm typing one-handed and propping her on my other shoulder...we're rotten.

Around the house...a lazy dog, a fussy baby, a tired mom, and a slightly scattered blog.

One of my favorite things...is the diaper stacker my friend brought over today. It matches the room perfectly!

A few plans for the rest of the week...we plan to attend a wedding Saturday morning, church is always an option for Sunday, otherwise I'm concentrating on my kids and their environmental gladness.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...One of the few examples of thriving plant life in my yard.


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This is Dedicated...

I must share the new song I heard a few moments ago. While the tune is most familiar, the fresh, free-form lyrics speak of reciprocated sisterly love and the potential need for a restraining order.

For Elizabeth, sung by Mari Alice (to the tune of Mary Had A Little Lamb)

Mari had a Lit-a-Beth, Lit-a-Beth, Lit-a-Beth,
Mari had a Lit-a-Beth, (dramatic pause)..White as Snow.

So EVERYwhere that 'Lizabeth went, 'Lizabeth went,
'Lizabeth went,
(Big breath...)
Soooo EVERYwhere that 'Lizabeth went,
Mari went with her too!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday, June 15, 2009...

Outside my window... bright, muggy heat has overtaken our lives. A three-digit heat index is predicted for the remainder of this week.

I am thinking...of ALL that has happened since my last daybook. A week of treatment and testing for "late onset gestational hypertension" eventually leading to an earlier than early Cesarean.

I am thankful for...good friends. Keeping my technological needs at the forefront of the agenda, April snapped some photos and then posted them on facebook for me...the day of the birth! Celina brought a laptop with wi-fi to my hospital room so that I could access the outside world. (Though pain meds prevented much surfing, it was comforting to have the option) Kathy endured excess mileage, memory cards, and vending machine meals to ensure that I was well cared for, my baby was well photographed, and that we both might enjoy a balance of kind visitors and quiet rest. What a treasure she is.

Lisa and Katy and Megan and Rhonda and Josh and Kathy and JW and Mom worked as a cheerful team to watch over my children. Philip was able to get to know his new daughter, spend time with me, AND complete his work week. What a blessing. Thank You, God, for friends and family who POUR out Your loving kindness!

From the learning rooms...not quite sure...I'll have to check into that one, and get back with ya.

From the kitchen...leftover spaghetti from Missy, leftover enchiladas from Lea, and leftover pizza from Gucci's. I'm so impressed that my friends were able to show out with a feast fit for an army. What a treat to give the oven (and the Momma) a rest for a few days.

I am wearing...NORMAL capris!! I'm not back to normal in terms of weight and shape, but Praise the Lord, I'm headed that way! I was teasing with a friend yesterday about having lost 15 pounds this week. She staunchly asserted that she was NOT interested in my particular weight loss program. Ah, come on! Join the fun.

I am creating...a to-do list for my darling. He'll be here all this week. And he scored because the kids are attending VBS every morning. He and Mari are getting the oil changed and tired rotated this morning in addition to some other errands. Hopefully tomorrow, he'll be able to stick around and do some long-awaited "biggies" like pulling out the washing machine/dryer and cleaning behind them. I love him.

I am going...to venture out on Thursday. Elizabeth and I each have check-ups and she needs her second PKU test at the hospital lab. Our first mother/daughter date...like the whole first week of her life hasn't been one big, fat, mother/daughter date!

I am reading...my list of visitors and gifts that Kathy wrote in the hospital. I'm determined to communicate my gratefulness in a timely fashion. Other than that, the pain meds make it a wee bit difficult to focus on small print, much less, character development and plot resolution.

I am hoping...our family is able to truly enjoy this week together. Sadly, we're not used to being ALL together. I hope we can deliberately make the most of this week, and that the weeks to come will be enriched with purpose and praise.

I am hearing...the baby squeak and squirm in her cradle, and the hum of computer tower. That's it. Ahhhhhhh...good times.

Around the house...a little laundry, a few books, some unopened mail, and generally a peaceful, easy feeling.

One of my favorite things...is the scent of a baby's head after her bath. Can I get a witness? After Philip bathed her for the first time at home, I wrapped her in a warm, soft blanket, held her close and breathed deeply. Is there anything better?

A few plans for the rest of the week...nurse a baby, change diapers, sleep(comfortably, though briefly), eat(wisely & not emotionally), nurse some more...you get the idea.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Thank You, God for little girls!

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It's A Girl!

Elizabeth Anne was born on Monday, June 8, at 12:30 p.m. She weighed 7 pounds 2.3 ounces and was 19 inches long. Mom and baby are doing well.

Family Shots

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday, June 1, 2009...

Outside my window... the sun shines brightly on trimmed hedges and a manicured lawn. The privacy fence has been rebuilt so we're really, really good.

I am thinking...that life is good.

I am thankful for...all the diapers and wipes our sunday school class brought to church yesterday. What a blessing!

From the learning rooms...the boys have tests today, Ardyn is getting into the 3rd grade groove, and Ash is starting a new reading list.

From the kitchen...sadly, yesterday's Chicken Marsala is all gone. We'll have Turkey Pesto Paninis for lunch and then I think I shall soak some beans for tomorrow. Last night there must have been a secret mishap with some vanilla yogurt. I found coagulated dairy film on the dishwasher, fridge, towel cabinet, and floor. Not sure what happened, but it was NOT fun cleaning it up.

I am wearing...black shorts and a bright green shirt.

I am creating...chore lists and allowance schedules. Over the weekend Shmeg and I gave our blogs makeovers. A little creativity, a LOT of technical difficulty, but still lots of fun.

I am going...a doctor's appt tomorrow. Two weeks from Friday, we're ON!

I am reading..."The National Bank of Dad" to research allowance options, and some homeschooling stuff leftover from the book fair.

I am hoping...to maintain my weight for two more weeks. I just don't want to see any bigger numbers! I feel good, and I can't wait to get back into my regular clothes.

I am hearing...the girls playing together with Oscar and the boys doing their lessons.

Around the house...we're just hangin' out, doin' our thang.

One of my favorite things...is clean sheets. I love yummy smelling bedding!

A few plans for the rest of the week...help the kids with their lessons, keep researching children's musicals, prop my feet up as often as possible and have fun NOT nursing an infant every three hours. There will be plenty of time toward the end of the month for having fun the other way.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Ardyn with her catch of the day.


To participate or simply enjoy more daybooks, visit The Simple Woman.