Saturday, June 26, 2010

Friday, June 25, 2010

Yay! Great news!

I am almost there...right NOW I am 11 weeks and 2 days along...just shy of officially 3 months pregnant with baby!!!

I am so ready to be entering into my Second Trimester!!!

"By now your baby is about 3 inches long and weighs nearly an ounce. Her tiny, unique fingerprints are now in place."

"In the third month, your baby is the size of a small apple and is fully formed. She has grown from 1 to 3 inches and weighs about 1 ½ ounces by month end. Her head now sits on her neck and you can even see the whorl of a hair pattern on the top of her head. Her head is still very large and makes up half the length of her body. Her eyes are moving closer together and her ears are continuing to form. She has taste buds and has developed the sucking reflex. She is beginning to practice her swallowing too. Teeth buds have also begun to form, as well as fingernails and toenails. Her major organs, as well as her sex organs have formed and are developing steadily. Your placenta has now developed and has taken over hormone production." (quote taken from HERE)."

I absolutely LOVE being pregnant.  I could pass on all this morning and day sickness.  All that pales in comparison with this miracle that takes place inside of me!!!
God bless,
Mary

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Cemetary drive by

My 6 yr old says to me in the car...after doing our usual Thursday errand outing.   Mind you, we do this every single Thursday morning:
"Mom, where are we going now?"

I replied with no answer to see if he would say "oh yeah, I remember!" or something to that extent.

Then quickly my oldest replies:

"Oh, c'mon!  You know where we are going!  Just imagine if you were in purgatory.  I mean, you'd really want people to pray for you, right?"

LOVE THESE VAN RIDE DISCUSSIONS!!!

BTW,  on Thursday mornings, we (all 6 kids +1 baby in utero and I) do our errands and always (well, most of the time) do a drive by through the town cemetary and we pray the decade of the Rosary.  I found that this works miracles (literally, probably too!) b/c they are restrained in their seats and cannot get out!  haaa haaa.  Plus, it gives them great memories that I hope will continue to be a tradition in their lives as they grow up.  It is such a simple thing to do, so easy and so helpful to others!!!

God bless,
Mary

Monday, June 21, 2010

Quick Takes: Early Summer 2010

1.  We're just busy keeping cool with the humid weather.

2.  Busy enjoying friends' pools.  Thank God for friends with pools!  Sometimes all that is needed is a pool to cool off in for even a half hour.  Does wonders!

3.  Our last day of school was last Friday.  I did not set that in stone till last Tuesday!  I just got to that point and had enough.  We all had enough.  It is summer now.  Time to step back from the heavy duty schooling and enjoy each other without that stress.  What relief!  Ahhhh....I feel like I can breath now.

4.  I bought a bunch of new *washable* markers and big white paper (100 sheets) and my kids are LOVING it!  My son, 6 yr old, is so artistic!  He says he'd like to have an art gallery and show and explain his drawings.  He is so cute!!!  I should post some of those.  Maybe I will.  So check back and see :)

5.  Lots of paper plates being used up.

6.  Lots of ice pops-those rocket pops-'red-white-blue' ones...those are so fun.

7.  Posion Ivy has attacked some of our kids.  I think it was what they were doing HERE. Whoops!  So out comes the calamine lotion and our kids have little pink dots all around!

Note to self:  Make sure you take out all the matchbox cars from your 3 yr old's crib.  If not, if will make some for some really loud tossing and turning all night long!

God bless,
Mary

Thursday, June 17, 2010

And I just want to cry

My kids took all their comforters/blankets off their beds along w/their pillows.  They dragged them out the back door to the woods area of our backyard (plain ol' dirt).  They are playing "camping like real". 


What is a pregnant momma who can't move supposed to do?  (besides blogging about it)???

I. just. want. to. cry.  ......  a lot.

God bless,
Mary

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Babies and such

I'm not sure how this post is going to flow, or not to flow.  I have had a lot on my mind lately and I wanted to just post at least something to say hi and let you know that the little baby is doing fine. 

He or she is growing so much lately...how do I know, do you ask?  B/c I am simply exhausted.  Totally.  Of course I have never had 6 other young kids while being in the first trimester before, which I answer to my own personal questions of why am I feeling so sick and yucky and wiped out constantly.  It hits me late morning with this morning/day sickness than it lasts all day long, even as I fall asleep and does not disappear till I wake in the morning.  For that short few morning hours, I rush around and get at least a load of laundry in, take out some frozen meat to defrost in hopes of making something for dinner that I will not gag over and squeeze in a little more school work so that we can say we are done for the summer, or at least a few weeks to a month before starting up again. 

In those hours, my children are all about me, esp. my 'baby' who is almost 21 months.  He is going through some major attachment to mommy lately.  As much as I love it (who cannot adore a cutie pie who adores you?!), it does become a bit annoying at times.  Carrying him around b/c he wants me to and giving him all loads of attention b/c he wants me to, drains me and I can see it does become a bit frustrating for the rest of the gang too.  But nonetheless, they learn to deal with it b/c they have no other choice.  My other kids are good eggs, most of the time.  They know Momma needs to be with the littles and as long as I give them some attention and praise for their good actions and words, that seems to fill up their 'love tank'.  And I thank God for that. It seems to work okay so far.

This is life and I hope I do not come off as unthankful.  In contrast, I am truly thankful for this gift with all its' issues that go along with it.  I keep thinking that at the end of this trimester, it will be different.  At the end of this whole pregnancy, a little wee one will be in my arms.  For knowing that, I can continue on this journey as long as God wills it. 

It's those other mommas that lately have shared with me that they cannot have any more or that they are trying but cannot conceive.  It's those mommas that my heart tears for.  Why me?  I wonder.  Why does God spoil us by giving us another baby and those other mommas have one or two or even three, and so far, that seems it.  I do feel somewhat uncomfortable and feel that I make them uncomfortable at times.  I don't quite know what to say.  I have never suffered a miscarriage.  I have never had a hard time becoming pregnant.  I have never experienced a child undergoing anything severely medical or even had a child die.  Yes, I have had hard times and hard days/weeks/months but they pale in comparison with what the crosses are that these other moms have to endure.  These crosses we all have, that is for sure.  But I will never understand what these mommas have gone through.  All I can offer is my prayers for them.   It is not much but that is all I have to give. 

I am thankful for our new growing baby inside me.  I have a little belly and it has popped out already and people eye it and look at me inquisitively.  I am proud of it and hopeful that it will inspire a culture of life around us. 

God bless,
Mary

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Quote of the Day

Be reconciled TODAY.
You have no idea what kind of life you’ll have TOMORROW.

God bless,
Mary

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Quick Takes-Sunday Edition

1.  How do you like the new look of my blog?  The other one was cute, but a bit overloaded with flowers and pastels galore.  My daughter loved it and I could not disappoint her and so I kept it for a while.  But now I found this nice layout and the colors are a bit more relaxing to me.  Seems that lots of things can get on my hormonal nerves lately and that other blog just had to go.  So, do you like this new one?  Either way, I'm keeping it!!! :) LOL

2.  My hubby is at his high school baseball team championship game right now.  What joy for him!  He played in HS and college so to see them get this far and being able to make the game is quite a thrill for him.  I'm pretty excited too!  I hope they win!  And the other good, really good part is that he took 2 of our boys with him to capture the moment.  I am so happy-what a treasure of a daddy and hubby he is!  Love him!

3.  I don't mean to complain but I have to say that this weather pretty much stinks around here.  'Mostly cloudy with scattered thunderstorms likely' has been the forecast for just about the last week.  That means that we've been indoors a lot and if they do go outside, I have to be ready for lots of mud, hence lots of laundry.  I'm really sick of laundry.  (hormonal annoyance again, see?).

4.  We are moving?  Whoops!  Did I say something to get  your ears perked up?  Never a dull moment around here, huh?!?!  Yup, my hubby got a new job and it is a great one.  We feel so blessed and so fortunate.  God has truly been watching out for us and we know He continues throughout this whole carzy orderal fo selling our house.  Quite the test of faith for us.  We continue to surrender, and it is very hard for us to do.  He daily reminds us to trust Him, trust Him, TRUST HIM!

5.  What's up with the birds lately?  I dearly love birds, love watching them, learning about them, and listening to their beautiful music...but not at 4:45am every day.  Thank God I can usually fall back to sleep but having to wake up b/c of birds is just....well, annoying.  I am up enough as it is already.  Let me sleep already.  (sorry!!!)

6.  We have been watching "Chicken Little" movie and we think it is pretty hilarious!  Good laughter is good medicine for our family.  It was much needed!

7.  My cravings have to do with spicy foods and salty foods and vegetables!  Funny how different each pregnancy is!  I am loving a good salad with cheeses and vegetables and loaded with ranch or zesty italian dressing. YUM!  (oh, and of course ice cream too!:)

8.  My due date has changed a wee bit.  Well, I guess it was more my fault of not calculating correctly.  Haa haaa.  With my 7th baby, you'd think I got this all figured out, right?  So wrong!  But good news is that I am further along than I thought and my due date is January 13th :)  That means not so long with the morning/day sickness.  Yay! 

9.  7th child= wearing maternity clothes very early.  my body just flopps out now! haaa haaa.  (Pssst!  I secretly like all my maternity clothing better anyway! haaa haaaa!)

10.  Last quick take, I promise.   And it has to do with this sweet little baby on the way.  Let me introduce you to...(oh man, I was all set to show you the ultrasound pic of our newest baby but I cannot figure out how to do it.  If anyone knows, please let me know b/c you'll be amazed at the picture.  It is so very very clear-the ultrasound tech could not believe how clear it was at 8weeks old to see the head, the eye sockets, the body, arms, legs!)

God bless,
Mary

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Wacky and Crazy Cravings!

So...these past few days I've had some really wacky and crazy cravings!  
For instace, for lunch I had a huge bowl of instant mashed potatoes loaded with salt.

And now for my snack, I just made those Knorr Rice sides-the one of rice and broccoli and cheese.

WEIRD!  I KNOW!!!

haa!

At least it's not lobster or something!

God bless, Mary

Some music we're enjoying lately! :)







God bless,
Mary

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

If you give a Momma some bacon

If you give a Momma some leftover bacon to cook,

....She will probably cook some eggs too.

If the smell of those eggs are really yummy,

....She will probably toast some bread or bagels.

If there is no bread or bagels,

.....She will probably decide to make some fresh home made biscuits to go with them.


And it will all turn out delici-oso and the whole family will be very full and very happy she did this.

.....And that's what happens when there is some bacon left over to use up!

haaa haaa

God bless,
Mary

Monday, June 7, 2010

Birthday letter to my 8 yr old daughter

Happy Happy 8th Birthday to my sweet little lady!!!

I could not have asked for a more thoughtful and helpful daughter.

What would I do without you?

Daily, you help me clean the house.

You help me with the other children, playing with them and keeping an eye on them.

You fold the many loads of laundry almost every day!

You help carry around your little baby brother and knows exactly what he wants and needs when he gets sad.

You keep a watchful eye on the kids in the backyard when I have to run inside.

You can finish a project or chore fully without being distracted.

You willingly help clean up your siblings' messes.

You tidy your bedroom without being asked (most of the time! :))

You can make breakfasts and lunches for all of us!

You love arts and crafts.

You can sweep, vaccuum and even mop the kitchen floor~!

You are irreplaceable.

God knew what our family needed when He placed you in it!!!

It's true that when you are not around, you are sorely missed! 

You give so much to our family to keep it running, and I thank God for the gift of you!!!

You are so beautiful inside and out!

God bless you on your 8th birthday today!

May you always stay close to Jesus your whole life through!

I love you so much.

Love, Mommy

Friday, June 4, 2010

Total shock

Tonight I had to drop off a prescription for my sick lil 6 yr old son...seems that he has an inflammed esophagus and gastritis.  He has been sick for 6 days off and on and I had to bring him to the docs today to find out exactly what is going on.  So glad that I did, b/c it was not a stomach bug that I thought may be the case.

Anyway, I dropped it off thru the drive thru window and gave his date of birth and told him 'no known allergies' and said I'd be back in 20 minutes or so to pick it up. 

So I came back.  The woman clerk assisting the pharmacist (who I have never seen before and we know all of them that work there!!!) claimed that my son has never been to that pharmacy.  Disagreeing with her, she went on to tell me that there was only one child with his name at my address but a different birth date. 

Then I laughed out loud.  Giggling, I told her that I must have mixed up the birthdates and told her the correct one.  I went on to say that having 6 kids will do that to a momma. 

She shook her head and clearly and matter of fact-ly and boldy said "You're crazy!"

No, not the "laughable-somewhat-true-oh-I-wish-I-had -more-kids-and-you -are-a-very-strong-woman-and-your-kids-are-so-adorable" comment. 

Oh no.  This was a totally serious statement

Then I clearly said back to her "I am not crazy! and anyway we have another one on the way too!"

"What?!"  Then her eyes did this dance where one bulged out and the other one did a circle dance while her head was shaking in disbelief.  (I am not kidding).  She then walked away from the window over to the counter.

At this point, feeling very nauseated from the fast food that we all gobbled down, I was not a happy camper with her response.  In fact, I was hurt and felt as though I could throw up right there in front of her.  I was embarrassed thinking that just maybe my kids were being normal kids a bit too loud and rowdy while I was at the window and gave her the impression that I was incapable of controlling my gang.  How dare she say this to me.  What ever happened to commom courtesy and being nice to the customers?  I thought to myself, how much big families get slammed with these remarks but you never hear of a mom with one child being ridiculed for only having one.  What business is it of theirs?  Who knows if that mom would love to have 3 or 4 more but can't and this is a huge cross for her to bear?  Who knows that this momma is happy and feels so very blessed to have  6 wonderful kids and that just maybe it is a cross at times having all these children, but that deep down know that God has called her to this vocation, this mother of a big family...maybe b/c so many are NOT open to having children at all or simply when they find it conveinent?

Ok, so I am a bit hormonal.  And I took her response personally.  I do not know her and probably will never have any type of friendship with this woman.  But I will pray for her, b/c somehow I have a feeling that she is bitter b/c of something in her past and we all need healing.  So I will pray for her, simply b/c Jesus told us to 'pray for our persecutors' and there is great peace in that.

God bless,
Mary

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Fast and Easy Recipe

I've noticed some bloggers have been posting some recipes and although I am not really into food lately (or certain smells of food, frankly!).

But I had to post this easy one that even I could whip up for tonight's dinner:

EASY MEXICAN MEAT DISH

  • Brown 1 lb of meat

  • drain and add 1 can of drained kidney beans, 1can drained of corn and 1 jar of salsa

  • Combine all them

  • put in casserole dish

  • make 2 boxes of corn bread mix and top it

  • bake at 350* till corn bread is cooked!
YUM!

God bless,
Mary

Funny girl!

As we were out during our Thursday morning errands, I smelt something weird:
"Hey guys, do you smell that?  It's awful~!"

My kids all responded "yeah, we do!"
Then my (almost 8!) daughter says:  "Mom, that's your armpits!"

haaa haaaa!!!

For the record, no it was not my lovely armpits!  But some odd smell coming from the outside through the vents!!!

HAAA
God bless,
Mary

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Good News~Bad News

Bad News first:
We may have a nasty stomach bug going on... I say 'maybe' b/c so far only one of my kids had it, but it was not the 24 hours and over and done with it type of bug...noway.  It was 4 and a 1/2 long long days of it.  The poor thing , my 6 yr old boy, is a string bean to begin with!  It looks as though he might have lost 5 pounds!  The sweet boy that he is said to me, barely being able to speak, after a really bad bout of sickness "Mom, thanks for taking care of me."  Of course I would!  That's what Mommas do.  You are so welcome, lil buddy.  Mommy feels for you.  The rest of the gang seem to be okay for now.  Time will tell.  The ticking time bomb continues...As for me, I, have that nauseous feeling all day long.  Seriously.  So, me + helping throwing up kids or cleaning throw up is not a good combo.  But I do it.  B/c God calls me to.  B/c it is not easy but with His help, I know we can together. 

Good News:
Did you notice I said 'nauesous feeling'?  You know what that means, if it is not a stomach bug, right?  It can only mean one thing...  YUP!  Baby #7!  The kids are so thrilled-God answered their precious prayers for a new baby!  We're about 1 1/2 months along right now and feel so blessed and thankful.  Please pray for us as we embrace this precious blessing from above.  (nauesousness and all!)



God bless,
Mary