Smiles & Sleeping

Ok, maybe it was gas, but it was cute :)

Crashed out on the floor.

And the only way I manage to get anything done around here - while carrying my caboose!

(For you carrier nerds, this is actually a "New Native Baby Carrier" sling - it is not stretchy or adjustable, but it is suprisingly comfortable and holds the baby very securly.)

The Reception

Paul with Grandma Schroeder

Paul with Grandma Oborny (aka Nana)

Paul with Great-Grandma Stroda

The baptismal gown

This baptismal gown was made from Grandma Schmeidler's wedding dress. All of her children were baptized in it and all of her grandchildren and so far, all of her great-grandchildren, too.

So I realize the carseat is not the ideal background for this picture but with the craziness of post-batism reception, I was lucky to remember to snap a few pictures before stripping him out to change and feed him - all in the midst of setting the food out and making sure everyone had drinks. Such excitment :)
Here is Paul showing his distaste of the chaos. Fortunately he was very good in church and did not even cry as the cold water was poured on his head.

Paul, welcome to the family of God :)

Diaper Update

Here is little Paul in newborn size diapers from Green Mountain (but notice the green edge - they don't make them exactly like this anymore - now I think they have an orange edge). In any case, they work well and are indispensible for when the cord is on, but. . . we have already moved on to a bigger size :(

Here is a new cover we have tried and has really worked well. We used to have tons of covers in different sizes but I lent all my smaller covers to a friend before I realized we were pregnant. Now, this friend has a smaller baby (well, smaller than ours come, anyhow) and she is still using the smaller covers at almost 8 months. So we decided to buy a few more covers but since babies grow so fast in the beginning we tried a convertible type. This is a Kissaluvs one size and it actually is not that bulky and seems very durable. So far we are liking it quite a bit. Here it is over a newborn prefold.

Here is the same cover over a regular toddler size prefold. Notice it is only a little more bulky with one more row of buttons showing. I am excited because we already have plenty of these toddler size prefolds! So the heck with the middle stuff.

We also have a thirsties duo cover that is working well - both with the smaller diapers and now with the larger as well. So, I am still in awe of all you ladies who manage to make your own diapers. I still dream of trying that some day but I just do not have time to try at this point in my life. In any case, with our current stash of prefolds and covers I think we will be "good to go" for quite some time.

Paul at 4 Weeks and 12lbs!!

Paul breaking in the new carrier

Daddy being "typical" Daddy here - "eye roll"

Paul is obviously not phased by this behavior.
The next two are with Momma carrying him. I think he looks more peaceful because, as we all know, Momma is the best! :)

(Side note: We do not have the fancy head insert but a toddler cloth diaper seemed to work well for me.)

Things I am learning. . .

Thoughts for today. . .

So many days I am totally in awe of how amazing my kids are and how grateful I am for them - for all of them! And then other days I am looking at my family and thinking, "oh my goodness, we have so many kids! - What were we thinking?!?!" (I realize four is not really that many but it sure feels like it when all of my friends have none or at most two or three.) In any case, here are some things I am learning as we adapt to being a family of six.

1. Breakfast is important for Mom, too, and I really need to make sure I get some, even if I am not able to until 10am (when I have been up running after everyone else since before 7).

2. Prayer is indespensible and I am going to have to learn to not be upset when my "prayer time" gets broken up into smaller chunks (or ity-bity pieces) because just taking care of these kids is a prayer. (even though I find the calm of contemplative prayer so much more appealing some days :)

3. A baby gate to keep the kids out of the kitchen. . . even if broken twice, MUST be promptly replaced. . . for sanity reasons if none else.

4. Peanut butter and jelly toast requires two hands to make.

5. I need to make time to brush my teeth every morning. . . even if I am not going anywhere (for some reason I tend to put this off until just before going out the door).

6. Candy may be easier to serve for dessert than fresh fruit, but it is not worth dealing with the sugar highs afterward.

7. My son is so stubborn he will voluntarily choose to not eat for several meals in a row if I don't serve food he likes. But perhaps this is preparing him to fast when he gets older?

8. Inevitabely my two-year-old will want to use the potty the minute I sit down to nurse the baby. . . and whatever I choose to do (help him - to the baby's detriment, or tell him to wait and that I will change his diaper in a minute) will seem like the wrong choice at the time.

9. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. . . knowing who to ask, though, can be tricky (and I would recommend not asking your spouse after a rough night of kid rearing).

10. As strong as I think I am. . . I still require sleep to function and no amount of caffine will make up for it . . .not in the long run anyway.

And for some reason I have a an odd surplus in my pantry. So if anyone has any amazing recipies for eggs, kidney beans, black beans, wheat bread, and juice, let me know.

Paul - 2 weeks

Paul went in for his 2 weeks check today. He is growing well - like all the other kids in our family have done :)

After being born at 8lbs 3 oz, he now weighs 9lbs 9oz (75%). He was 19.5 inches long at birth and is now 20.5 inches (50%). I don't know what his head was at birth but it is now 38cm (75%). So even though he is a runt for our family, the doc things he is growing fine! (and of course, so do we :)