Out My Window:
It is about 70 degrees and sunny, but a little on the windy side. It is a perfect day for the windows open - nice breeze in the house.
Clothing Myself In:
"Active wear" shirt and navy pocket shorts over my lovely compression pantyhose, completed with socks and sneakers (to extend the life of the pantyhose).
Around the House:
I rearranged our bedroom a few days ago. I've discovered over the years that certain pieces of furniture fit best in certain areas, if that makes sense. For example, the bed is best in the far corner, the dressers work best in the funky cut-out corner, and the easy chair is best by the door. A few other things can be moved around here and there, but generally that works best. In any case, maybe a year ago I moved things around quite a bit and pulled the bed out some from the wall to give the hubby room for a nightstand on his side. Unfortunately that made the bed stick out just too far as it was difficult to walk around and then when the clothes started to pile (as they always do), it became a near-nightmare for me (especially getting up to pee three times a night). So, giving all thanks to God, right after I decided it was time to get the bed back closer to the wall, I stumbled upon the perfect little shelf to use as a nightstand that would take up less than half the space we were currently using and allow for the walk-room in the rest of the room that I was craving. Two other people had expressed interest in this shelf on our local swap meet, but I mentioned I would like it if they did not and the seller was eager to move it, so I picked it up a few hours after expressing interest and have been thanking God ever since!! (Yep, it is the little things that make me smile most it seems.)
The Baby:
Numerous people have informed me that she is really not a baby anymore, but I think she will be continue to be "the baby" until the next one is born, so there you have it. In any case, she is becoming quite the chatter box. She loves to parrot talk and is getting more and more words all the time. I love the way she says them, though, with such an interesting vowel emphasis. For example, "Paul" is pronounced "Pawwwl" (not dictionary pronunciation obviously - I still regret I never took time to learn that - but hopefully you get my drift). She is talking more than Jacob did at that age, but definitely less than Paul. However, I think Paul has been such a good talker from so young he just makes everyone else look bad.
Miriam is really into kitties, but she is branching out to pictures of bunnies and birds as well. She really likes animals. She likes her books, too and will gladly sit on my lap all day and point out all her favorite animals to me. She is getting better at listening to me actually read the stories, too.
The Kids:
Rebekah continues to be such a treasure. She has a great temperament and tender, caring heart. We are really so blessed to have her as our oldest. She takes such great care of her siblings and is often doing other little things to be helpful. She really likes to be "sneaky helpful" as in she will do something without being asked. Today she made lunch for all the kids (burritos! - I had the meat already made up, she just put it and the cheese in the tortillas and warmed them in the microwave - then she served them with the left-over corn from yesterday) while I was napping and Gordie was taking a shower.
Samuel is getting more responsible, but I'm noticing that he is really still more of a "little" kid than I realize. He can be helpful, but he often needs at least some moral support to get there. For example, he CAN put most of the toys in the tv room away. . . where they go!! - but if I ask him to do it and then abandon him, he will get frustrated and not be able to complete the task. But if I can get Rebekah to help him, or even just go sit in the room and pick up a toy or two or talk to him, he will easily get the job done. I also forget that he likes me so much. This morning I went to Mass with just him (cause he was the only one up - we went to the 7:30am Mass) and even though we had almost an entire pew to ourselves, he sat pushed right up next to me - practically on my lap. He normally does not get the chance to sit so close, so I forget he would even want to.
Jacob has grown up A LOT lately. He is almost six!! How did that happen?!?! He has such a stubborn streak and WILL NOT BEND over some silly things - or I accidentally rub him the wrong way and he is in tears and frustrated the rest of the evening. But he has a helpful side, too, and is generally playful. The problem is that he is so big, when he gets playful, other kids near him have to watch out because he is so big and strong. Technically he was Kindergarten age this past year, but traditional school work did not really interest him, so we did not do much. But lately he has expressed interest in school work and is becoming more excited for me to teach him to read (something he did NOT have the patience for earlier).
Paul is still a handful and a half. He gets SO EXCITED about EVERYTHING and DEMANDS you respond to him (getting louder and more annoyingly insistent until you do). But he is adorable and smart all at the same time. Gordie and I often joke about how much trouble Paul is, but really he is an amazing kid, he just has REALLY HIGH energy it seems.
Crafting:
I found the beginnings of a "baby sock" (looks like a big stocking cap - basically a knitted pocket that you can slip a newborn into) that I had started to make for some friends who were expecting a couple years ago now. I pulled it out and decided I would try to finish it for my current baby to come (due in June), but I started in wrong apparently and some stitches had gotten dropped while it was stored (both of which I did not notice for several rows of knitting) so I am quite frustrated with it now. Dear Knitting, WHY MUST YOU FIGHT ME SO!!! I am not sure if it is me being a perfectionist that makes it difficult or if I'm just really not that great a knitter. I enjoy it, but I get so frustrated when I mess up and then I get stuck, unable to fix it and don't want to start over. But being pregnant often makes me feel "extra crafty" (must be that nesting thing) so I will probably end up knitting SOMETHING by the time the baby gets here.
Reading:
I have really enjoyed a blog I stumbled upon, written by a biomechanist with a lot of spunk named Katy. She has a lot of interesting notions that often go against what I "have been told" so far, but make a lot of sense! I broke down and bought her first-five-years of blogging (which are free on her blog, but I bought them for my (old) kindle which makes them much easier for me to actually read) and I am enjoying this "book" immensely! Because it is just a published blog, the entries are short and sweet and somewhat unpredictable (not so boring as traditional books can be). And I REALLY enjoy her attitude. She is quite bold and funny.
Bringing Me Joy:
*Miriam. I think children between the age of one and three are just about the cutest things God ever created. I love to watch them explore their worlds and learn new things. Seriously, this little lady of mine melts my heart pretty-much all the time.
*Exercise. I had forgotten how grumpy I get in the last trimester of pregnancy and I am SOOOO GRATEFUL that I am still healthy enough to get some good exercise regularly as it does WONDERS for my mood.
*My Children. They are such good kids. I really love being with them all day.
Bible Verse:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27)
Pictures to Share:
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| A few days shy of 33 weeks with baby #6. |
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| This is from my Dad's 60th Birthday Party. It was great to have so many relatives in from out of town and out of state! |
