All is OK

Dear Friends,
Thanks for praying for our Lil' Lady this morning. 
The surgery went well and it was quick.  VERY QUICK and I praise God for that!  Those 15 minutes were a long 15 minutes for this Momma praying.  While I waited and waited in the waiting room, those 15 mins seemed a whole lot longer. 

It was a great lesson of trust and of surrender...knowing I cannot be in control of every little thing and to shield everything from my sweet baby. 
Feeling so close to Mother Mary as she watched her own Son be bruised, battered, and broken.
Before she went in, we cuddled and did the best we could without any nursing and food/drink.  We sang together, snuggled, me kissing her forehead, caressing her little arms and legs, reassuring her that I am here and will be praying for her while we part.  We waited together, her in my pouch...that 'over the shoulder baby holder' that I hold so dear-it is the BEST thing for motherhood-every mommy needs one!  Those things are priceless.  She was content in my pouch, near me, and all decked out in her light green hospital nightgown.  So cute. 

Watching her be taken by the nurse back to the O.R.  

Feeling so close to Mary at this moment, knowing she is near.

Letting go.  Allowing her to go.  Trusting.  Surrendering. 

Asking her guardian angels to watch over her, asking her patron saints to pray for her.  Leaning on all those prayers that we asked others for.  How powerful.
I knew it had to be done.  Those tubes were a major necessity b/c the docs returned to tell me that there were "tons and tons of infected fluid that was released"  and "it was a massive amount".  Oh, Praise Jesus!!!  Thanks be to God that it is OUT of her!!! 

Thanks for praying...she is resting well now and so will I right about now. 

God bless,
Mary

Prayer Request

Dear all,
I prayerfully ask you to include our sweet Lil' Lady in your prayers tomorrow as she undergoes surgery on her ears.  She is getting 'tubes' in her ears to relieve her fluid accumulation and the many infections.  SO many infections-7 in only a short 6 months!  And to think that she JUST turned ONE years old~!  That sure is a lot for such a young cutie pie.
She cannot eat or drink anything after midnight.  Which means this little one cannot nurse either!  Oh my.  This will be interesting tonigh and tomorrow morning!!! She is having her surgery at 8am.  We need to be there earlier than that, and I am not sure how both she and I are going to manage without the comfort of nursing. 
Without a doubt, I know she needs this.  But, of course any mother does not want to see her little baby go from her arms and just sit back and watch...and pray.  Yes, lots of praying will be happening.
Thanks for the prayers, we appreciate it so much.
Oh!  I need help finding some info...I cannot find anything on the Patron Saint of ears.  Does anyone know of this saint???
God bless,
Mary

Birthday Baby

My baby turns ONE today!!!

How'd that happen?

Isn't it so funny how we all say that once our children become one year older.  But really, those precious young months go by so quickly.  But with this baby, our lil' Lady, I was determined to slow down and let it all soak in.  I was focused to savor those moments that are so fleeting, so quick. 

Much all too quick. 

What a birth-day one year ago....I am playing it play by play in my mind as the hours go by.  What a glorious day-a gift beyond words. 

We are celebrating BIG TIME today for the gift of her life in our family.  We are so blessed! 

We love you, lil' Lady!!!
Happy 1st Birthday to you!!!
God bless you,

Momma

Amongst the pots and pans

My Lil' Lady has found the pots and pans and what joy it brings her!

I am sure she would have found them earlier than 10 and 1/2 months old but she has been busy with all her siblings that aren't always that excited about those big metal pots and pans as she would be.

The funny thing is that even though it is quite annoying to have to tippy toe through the mess of pots and pans, I love it.  It does not get old at the least.  This is the 7th time it has happened.  Each of my kids have entered this stage around the same age and this is the 7th time for us.  The surprise and joy of a baby's face enjoying it brings such joy and smiles to my own face.  That, my friend, I would not trade for anything.

Indeed, I will 'find God in the pots and pans' as St. Theresa of Avila says.

I did take a picture of Lil' Lady and her pots and pans but will have to post it over the weekend b/c I have not downloaded them yet! :)

God bless,
Mary

Let me introduce you to my kid #7- Lil' Lady

Haa haa haaa!
(Yes, she does have a bunch of brothers doing this to her!!!)

Isn't she just lovely?!?  Such a lady, huh?!? :)

Do you see the trend here with all my kids pics as I introduce them to you?!?! :)

Lil Lady is 8 months old now.  She is pure love.  She brings out the BEST in all of us!  Thanks God for lil' Lady-we just adore her!

God bless,
Mary

Lil' Lady LOVES water!

Have you ever had a baby that absolutely LOVES water?!?!?

I have some children that really enjoy it and we call them little fishes but never have I had a baby that really really loves water!:)

Changing diapers is always a test of my strength, as the changing pad is right next to the sink on the vanity.  She is so strong and turning this way and that way to get to the water faucet.  Just this past week she has learned to use her strength to pick her body up and plop it down.  Not quite the crawl that I am used to, it sort of reminds me of an inch worm in which its' back part of body does not move. Ha!!! It is quite funny as she inches her way over to the faucet where I am washing my hands post diaper change.  If in a rare moon that she is crying (like this morning while I was out having coffee mulling over my schedule plans for school this year-I'll post that later in the week :)), we bring her right over to the kitchen sink and VOILA!  she stops! haa haa :)

She so loved the pool this summer and the baby pool on our back deck.  We were all so sad that our last pool day of the summer was this past Saturday ;(

She loves splashing all about in the water.  Water on face?  No problemo!  She is even happier if its on her face!  SO FUNNY!

My kid #5 was so anti-water, it took him to 1 1/2 yrs old to take a bath without screaming and crying.  It was awful-I felt like it was the worst thing I could do to him, and I think it was.  For that year and a 1/2, he only had maybe one bath a week.  I just could not muster up enough courage and patience to put him through the pain of a bath.  It really was that bad.  Then, one night at bath time, I put him in and he did not scream.  He did not cry.  He was not overly happy, but just content.  And that was that.  Weird to say the least~!

So, to have my Lil' Lady loving water is such a delight!!!

God bless,
Mary
p.s.  Happy labor day!  Now, go rest and have a cup of coffee ! LOL! :)

150 visitors to my blog!!!

I just noticed that I not getting many visitors to my blog-no a big deal. 

To me, this blog is a way for me to let go of some of my thoughts, give others some insight into my big family, allow others to learn from my mistakes, and meet some other super great blog-moms too :)  I find some great support here in the blogosphere that is missing in the real world, unfortunatly.  Life is constantly changing and I am trying to adapt to all this technical computer stuff.  Not my favorite thing to use my time on, but a momma's gotta do what  a momma's gotta do.

...BUT get this... I did notice that waaaaaaaay back on January 13, 2009 I got 150 visitors on THAT DAY ALONE! 

What is up with that????

I guess tons of people are interested in sweet innocent 2 yr old little boys possibly dressing in little pink tutu's  b/c they have big sisters or something...haaa haaa!!!

Or, it could be that THIS post was also on that day...but,  I doubt it....must be the tutu thing. lol

And isn't God soooooo awesome?  Little did we know that we'd have a sweet little lady that they get to dress up FOR REAL now!!!! God did indeed give my girls their ultimate wish of a baby sister!!!  Thanks God!!! :)  You are so awesome!  We are all so very much in love with little lady.  She is the delight of all.

I wonder if I'll ever get that many visitors again in one day?!?!?!  woweee!!!

God bless,
Mary

Baby is 7 weeks!!! & a busy life....

You know you have lots of kids when...

...you buy a baby book at a yard sale 3 yrs ago (just in case! haaa)

...you finally find that baby book when the baby is 6 weeks old

...then you realize you wrote in it already for the last baby

...then you swear you wrote about that baby in another baby book

...then you find that other baby book stored away deep in closet

...and notice that you started 2 baby books for the same baby! (baby #6 when you just had baby #7!)

...so you scratch out HIS name and put HER name in it

...and you can't find the oh-so-popular 'white out' so you just scratch out HIS birth story and think about how you will find time to write about HER birth story instead!!!

Just sayin'!!!

HAAAAAA!  Laughter is healthy for body and soul!!!
God bless,
M

I'm pouch-ing it these days

I'm looking like this most these days:




Baby loves to snuggle in my pouch, THIS one...

I have used these ever with my 2nd baby on and they basically 'live' in these things!  I did not know of them with my first born-and anyway, I did everything everyone told me to do w/my first born! haaa :)  Nieve mom we all were back then!!!! :)  lol

More moms now a days say they can't live without a MOBY wrap...I have never tried those ...not yet at least. 

But for the past 8 1/2 yrs, this one called "Over the shoulder baby holder" is my absolute favorite.  I have also another wrap that I use when the baby gets bigger and chunkier, on occasion. 

But really, I don't go anywhere without my pouch and I use it ever so much throughout my day, unless a big kid can hold the baby, which in my case, this is the FIRST time I have had 2 such big kids to do such things!!! Life with a baby is MUCH Much much different when the 2 oldest are 10 and 8!!!

Woweeee, I am starting to get a clue to what other seasoned moms used to say to me..."things will be different once your oldest turns 10, I promise you!"  and that promise is starting to come true....much different this time around. 

Thank You God for keeping me strong and persevering through these last 10 years, it is started to pay off! 

God bless,
M

Part III Birth Story

I'm trying to type as fast as I can w.one hand! :) 

Hubby took all my kids for a little walk and me and sweet baby are home...alone!  I have been wanting to just finish her birth story b/c I know you all want to know, right?!?? LOL :)

Here we go...

Before I finish it off, for a refresher, go to:

Part I post HERE

Part II post HERE 

Tuesday January 18, 2011
2:15pm

OBGYN breaks my water
No hubby yet...
I was just talking w/my new doula and with my nurse, which we both found out that we have LOTS in common-we kept laughing over all the things we had in common!  In fact, she gave me her name and email b/c we kept agreeing, nodding our heads and laughing at the craziest things we had in common!
I am feeling that everything is peachy at this time. And wondering if and when I will have those strong contractions to have this little baby.

2:30pm

Daddy arrives!!! :)
No traffic, no problems and now I am so ready to have our baby :)  My prayers were answered and I was gleaming w/happiness.  (well, sort of! in a weird sort of way!!!! lol)
Daddy is looking at me, like "Are you in labor yet?" 
Not really, just those tight contractions/braxton hicks type of ones on/off every 7-8 mins.

3:38pm
WOWEE!  This was noted as the time for my first real strong contraction!  Then another, then another.  It felt like they jumped from 7-8 mins to 2-3 minutes in a split second.  I knew this was the real deal.  In all about 15-20 mins I was in transition and shaking.  The doula, my hubby or the nurse would ask me questions and I kept replying "I don't know!" which I was told was indicative of transition and about ready to give birth. I was scared and nervous, excited and happy all at the same time.  But one thing was for sure, I wanted this to be over-REALLY QUICK!
The nurse told me how I talked a lot during those moments I did not have a contraction.  I laughed, joked around and then was quiet through the contraction.  She told me that not all moms talk during labor and that I was really funny to be around! haaa-whatever!!!  :)

4:15pm
Ready to push!  Here we go!

4:22pm
My Baby girl was born!   

So, there ya go!!! 
God bless,
M

Birth Story con't.

Part II...con't birth story.

See this post for Part I birth story.

When my doctor told me to go straight to the L&D at the hospital, it was so bittersweet.  Of course I waited long 9 months for this moment...yet I didn't want it at the same time. 

Who wants pain?  Our human weakness will shy from it...yet I was called. 

It was my time.  Whether I was mentally ready or not, it was time.  That day, that moment.

Let me tell you, I was not in major pain and in labor.  Crazy thought, I know!  Here I am 7 cm yet not in major pain!??!  Probably every mother's dream of a labor.  But don't forget all those weeks leading up to this moment...of all those false alarms of thinking I was in labor but not quite.  It was a tough month for me and in a sense...a long month of  'labor'. 

I called my doula on the way to the hospital but...get this!  She was at another birth!!! AACK!  What was I to do?  She told me she had a backup doula and could send her right over.  She asked me if this was okay which I responded positively to.   She asked me if I wanted to talk w/her first and I told her nope and to just send her right to the hospital.  So, here I am on my way to meet a woman, a doula, I have never met before yet she was to be there at one of my most special moments in my life.  She was going to be a part of a memory.  I told my original doula that this is God's Will and I have to trust Him.  She was saddened at not being there for me,  she apologized with sadness in her voice.  I knew this was genuine and even though it saddened me too, I knew God has a way with His Will.  So I trusted Him and I was off to meet, for the first time, my doula for this labor and delivery.

Since my hubby and all 6 kids went with me to my check up, I had to be dropped off at the hospital...by myself!  I was nervous but my hubby and I agreed this could be a possibility and that he'd come back ASAP once he dropped all our kids off at home with a babysitter.  We both hoped and prayed that he would be there for the birth of our sweet baby.

I was rolled via wheelchair to the nurse's station and the nurse looked at me with one eyebrow up

"So...you're the mom at 7cm?" 

"Yes I sure am! :)" I replied with a grin and a giggle!!! :)

Sure, I felt tightening of my belly and uterus.  This is what I felt for the past month!  But once the nurse hooked me up to the monitor, she said every few minutes "Do you feel that?"

The RN told me I was having contractions every 7-8 minutes!  Ha!  Go figure!

I called a few friends that I had their numbers on my cell phone and asked for them to pray for me and to send out an email to pray, pray, pray!!!

The new doula showed up and we hit it off great.  Thank you God!   She was wonderful and was very similar to my original doula -her whole demeanor and everything so I felt very comfortable.  We chatted it up as much as we could going over what my 'birth plan' would be and what I wanted and what worked for me comfort wise.  It was very easy going -our conversation...and then my OBGYN walked in.

My favorite OBGYN (Yay!!!) came in and checked me and decided to break my water. 

Oh, the moment was here! and I could not believe it!!!  Here we go!  My biggest concern was if my hubby was going to be here at the moment the baby was born.  Would he be?  I sat and waited for those big contractions...but nothing.  Just sitting there with my new doula and talking, laughing...

TO BE CON'T.

Sorry!  Baby is crying!!!
God bless,
Mary

Baby #7 Birth Story

I always find birth stories so interesting and so I thought I'd share mine with you.

Monday Jan. 17th, 2011
40 weeks pregnant
This was my due date.

It was this Monday morning Jan 17th and I was not feeling too hot.  Another personal physical issue was going on that made me sore indeed.  Good thing my hubby had off that day b/c I was so uncomfortable and cried off and on all day-partly b/c of the pain and partly b/c I was a very hormonal pregnant Momma!

Originally I had my 40 week OBGYN appt set up for that Thursday but I caved in and called them to see if I could be seen earlier due to that personal physical issue that was going on.  They fit me in for an 11:30am appt for Tues.

Tuesday Jan. 18th, 2011

Woke up feeling miserable.  Was up the whole night before taking hot baths about every hour to hour and 1/2 b/c of being so uncomfortable.  So glad my hubby decided to work from home this day b/c I could not move off my bed.  All this uncomfortableness I was feeling, or so I thought, was from my physical issue that was causing pain not b/c of being pregnant and laboring!

11:30 am OBGYN appt.
Went in to get checked out and the docs told me that I was 7 cm dilated!!!
He told me that he did not feel comfortable with letting me go home (we are 40ish mins from the docs and hospital) and so he said let's get me to L&D (labor and delivery) to break my water and have this baby!


TO BE CONTINUED....

SORRY!  RAN OUT OF TIME-I AM MUCH NEEDED!!!

God bless,
Mary