Wordless Wednesday

Good Things in the Mail

While I was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago (yes, I am behind on my blogging. Averaging 3 1/2 hours of sleep at night really motivates you to nap instead of blog during the day), I got a few things in the mail that I am very excited about.


The first is a baby carrying-pouch sling from Dittany Baby. Even though this is my 5th baby, I've never had a pouch or wrap before. I have used a Baby Bjorn from time to time, but it is really a pain to take on and off and your baby needs to hold their head up before you can use it. Not so with this goodie. I've already used it a few times in the past week to hold Margaret when I needed to multi-task. I plan on writing a review in the next week or so after I've used it more, and when I do there will be a giveaway of some of DB's products, so be sure to check back in. And go check out Dittany Baby's other great items, including some GORGEOUS tights, skid pants (leg warmers), and car seat blankets, and more.


I also received a letter in the mail from Dreyers, informing me that I won an essay contest that I entered to have a block ice-cream party (a Neighborhood Salute, they're calling it) for 100 people in my neighborhood this summer! They are sending out a big box full of party supplies including decorations, invitations, yard signs, etc, and enough Dreyer's Slow Churned ice cream to feed 100 people! I squealed with delight. I'll blog about it later--our party is scheduled for Labor Day weekend-- but this is a contest that has been going on for years, so you should be sure to enter next year and win won for your own neighborhood.

Last but not least, my birthday present arrived.


You may already know what a fan I am of the Bosch mixers. Last fall, my mini Bosch bit the dust and I replaced it with a 20 year old Craigslist model. Then, a few months ago, that mixer, too, gave up the ghost. When my birthday rolled around, we decided it was time for us to take the plunge and actually buy the machine we really wanted and would happily use for the next 20-40 years. Hooray!

Unfortunately, since I had major surgery on my birthday and brought a new baby home shortly thereafter, I have not had the opportunity to use this already beloved and much anticipated machine. But I am going to bake bread again this week if that's the only thing my family eats one day for dinner. I'm sick and tired of Orowheat!

Have you gotten anything good in the mail lately?

Overheard At Our House

Kimball: Mom, was Dad skinny when he was younger?

Me: Not really skinny--why do you ask?

Kimball: Because I know I didn't get my skinniness from you.

Just what a post-partum mommy needs to hear to keep her spirits up and make her want to go out in public!

Lessons and Gratitude

We had an experience this weekend that reminded me to really savor this time I have with my children and to show them more love and tenderness. I was also reminded how constantly vigilant I need to be about their safety. Our sweet little Bronwen came very close to drowning and I can't stop thinking about how different everything might be if Henry hadn't seen her when he did. I am so indescribably grateful to Heavenly Father for sparing her life. I know that others have had to endure different outcomes and we don't always know why some are spared and some are taken, but I cannot deny that she was spared because of His tender mercies.

We have all been squeezing her a bit tighter in the past 24 hours, shuddering when we allow ourselves to contemplate what might have been or reliving those harrowing moments when we weren't sure what the outcome would be. I have never had a more awful feeling in my life, and I have had some terribly painful moments before this.

I wasn't sure if I was going to share this or not, partly because it is so horrible that I don't really want to talk about it, but I decided to because I wanted to share what I'm taking away from it with you. Please, please, please don't take your children for granted and this time you have with them. My kids have been pretty challenging in the past two weeks since I had Margaret-- and even though I knew it was because they lacked a routine or anything like normalcy, I have had a hard time being patient with them. I know that it's natural for kids to get under your skin, but I am just so grateful to have them that I found myself today having a greater capacity to be calm and to show tenderness inspite of my fatigue.

We have also been too casual about our kids in the pool. The boys are strong swimmers and Bronwen is a pro in her waterwings, paddling all over the pool. If we are near the pool and they are in, I don't have my eyes on them all the time. But this time, Bronwen got out, took off her waterwings, and then wandered back over and went into the pool because she saw a ladybug. No one noticed her take them off. No one saw her get back in. No one saw or heard her go under. You can bet that I will be sitting at the edge of the pool (if not in it) from now on with my eyes on any non-swimmers more vigilantly than I have in the past. The risks are too great. So please be very very very careful.

My little Meg is crying now for her late-night supper and I'm off to fatten her up. Go kiss your kids and say a prayer of gratitude for them. I know I will.

Wordless Wednesday-- Homecoming

Quick Update

I don't have time for a real post, but I wanted to update you on our family's status. I came home from the hospital on Friday afternoon. My blood pressure is still being monitored and my legs and feet are as puffy as an elephant--not pretty-- but I am fine. The doctor says that sometimes PIH doesn't go away for a week or two after delivery, and I guess this is one of those times.

Margaret is still in the NICU but doing very well. They removed her gavage tube today (which ran through her nose and down her throat to her tummy, and was used to feed her when she was too tired to nurse or take a bottle,) and as long as she continues to eat well and gain weight, she'll be home on Tuesday--the day she was scheduled to be born originally.

Although coming home without her was emotional, last Wednesday (when I posted last) was by far my hardest day. By Friday I had really allowed myself to be comforted by the Spirit and was reassured that our daughter was well and that she would be home soon. We don't always get exactly what we want when we want it, but the Lord in His wisdom does give us exactly what we need when we need it.

Thank you so much for your prayers, sweet comments, and for you locals who have helped with meals and keeping my kids occupied. We feel so loved and blessed by the Lord through your good deeds.

Before Bedtime Thoughts

It has been an emotional day for me, but this evening I am feeling peace and the love of the Lord and wanted to share here.

The second/third day after my c-sections are always very weepy for me. Anyone else's body work like that? I just know that the day after my c-sections I feel high as a kite, call tons of people, welcome visitors, get up and move around. Then, the next day hits. I am tired and so very sore (it may have to do with the fact that the morphine is totally out of my system by then), weepy, and not sure if I want to see anyone or have anyone see me in my weepy state. I dread every phone call (even though to a certain extent they are good for me) because I fear that I'll start crying in the midst of any conversation--and in most, I do.

So that was today for me. Throw into that the fact that my blood pressure hasn't dropped like they wanted and finally today they started expressing concern about it. And that Margaret has decided at about half of her feedings in the past 24 hours that she'd just as soon not eat, which means that they are feeding her passively (via gavage tube), which means that there is a very good chance she won't come home with me on Friday. Water works.

I tried talking myself through it this afternoon. I tried reciting scriptures to myself that generally help me to remember to have faith. I tried calling my husband (but just sobbed to him to the point that he was sure I was hysterical.) I tried praying but not on my knees, since I couldn't possibly do that right now, and I kept finding my mind wandering. Part of the problem is my pain killers make it hard to focus on much of anything. Anyway, I was a blubbery mess this afternoon.

But tonight I am better. When I went to see and feed Margaret at 6:00 she didn't want to eat, but I held her and loved her and felt some peace returning. I was able to remind myself not to waste energy worrying about things that were out of my control. Then Jared came. He and his dad gave me (and then the baby) a priesthood blessing. Basically, they use the power of their preisthood to bless me with the things that they feel prompted that the Lord wants to tell me. I love priesthood blessings and really felt Heavenly Father wrapping His arms around me tonight. I was also reminded that He gives us trials for a reason and that I shouldn't expect that my life will be without them. Of course I already knew this, but I wasn't really thinking that way. I need to remember that He gives us trials so that we learn to rely on Him and also that His works may be made manifest. He wants me to see His power and blessings in my life, and I need the trials for that.

Margaret ate so well tonight after her blessing. She started out acting sleepy and lethargic as she had been doing, but then all of a sudden she latched on and went to town. She had a great feeding and was bright-eyed for us. We had such a nice time there with her, enjoying our daughter. I left feeling much better. Much, much better.

We still need your prayers. I don't know what is up with my health at the moment, although there is no reason for us to worry either. More importantly, we need to exercise our faith to help Margaret have the energy and desire to eat every 3 hours so that she can come home and be with our family. I know that so many people love us and care about our situation--please pray for Margaret and for me that I won't be a basket case and for Jared that he'll be able to handle me even when I am!

In the meantime, here are a few of the scriptures that have been coming to my head over the course of this week and the trials that we've had (I know I still haven't delivered on the promise of her birth story, but that's for another post. I need some sleep.)

Be still and know that I am God.-- D&C 101:16

Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.-- D&C 90:24

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowlege Him, and He will direct thy paths.--Proverbs 3:5-6

I love the scriptures and am so grateful that the Lord uses them to comfort us in times of need. I am so grateful to be able to turn to Him in my trials and that He hears my pleas. I am grateful to know that He knows my pain, my needs, my fears, and desires to bless me.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

Introducing . . .

Margaret Kaylyn

born: June 22, 2009 1:44 pm

weight: 4 lbs 5 oz

length: 18 inches

answers to Margaret, Meg, Meggie, Megs, Baby Meg, and "My Mawrgwet"

I told Jared that we could go low-key this year on my birthday, especially since it was the day after Fathers' Day and a week before our daughter was scheduled to arrive. However, our day was anything but low-key, and culminated in the birth of Margaret. I'll post the birth story soon, but wanted to make sure that those of you who don't follow me on facebook or twitter heard our good news.

By the way, Margaret was my maternal grandmother's name, and Kaylyn is taken from my mom's and my MIL's middle names to honor both of them. Thus, this precious little daughter of ours (and I do mean little-yowsahs!) has some wonderful namesakes to emulate.

Three Favorite Cupcakes

You know me and food! Here are a few things I'm nibbling on lately:

1. My newest nephew, Colin Joseph F.
This sweet little cupcake was born early in the AM of June 16th. He is just perfect and beautiful and tiny and so fresh from heaven.Don't you just want to eat him up? His mom, dad, and big brother are so happy to have him here and his aunt is also quite pleased. The only thing that matches the birth of your own babies is the birth of your SISTER'S babies. My only regret is that I can't be there at the house with them 24/7, but both grandmas are staying there and my kids and I would probably not be the best addition to that tiny house. Sigh.

2. Icing on the Cupcake
This little cupcake bakery nearby-ish is irresistible. I'm just grateful that they aren't around the corner or the temptation would be greater. Here's their menu--each day they have some featured flavors as well as their daily goodness. I've already fallen head over heels for their Chocolate Peanut Butter and Chocolate Macaroon. I think when I head back in this week, I'll ask them if they will offer a discount, promotion, or giveaway for my local readers. Anyone interested? Yummy yum yummy!

3. Conversations with a Cupcake
I discovered this blog via Nienie's. She created a special chocolate cake in honor of Nienie (which will be my birthday cake next week, I promise you.) Her blog is both beautiful and choc full of delicious-looking recipes. I'll admit that I haven't made any of them yet, but just reading this blog makes me happy. So go check it out!

What makes you happy today?

A Visit to Ancient Egypt

If you think I've stopped posting on this blog, you should visit my neglected homeschool blog. On second thought, DON'T! I have been terrible about posting updates and if you took my reports there to be a measure of our schoolwork, you'd be very concerned about my children's education. I'm really considering merging the two blogs again, because perhaps somehow that will feel less overwhelming than keeping up on them both.

In light of that, I thought I'd post about a recent field trip our little Academy took to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose, California. We really should have gone back in the fall when we were deep into ancient Egypt, but I didn't know about it then. My kids didn't seem to mind the fact that we were learning about ancient India during the school week and looking at Egyptian artifacts on Friday.

The museum is set on some beautiful grounds with gardens with several buildings built in the ancient style. There was a large outdoor Senet game, which we took advantage of at the end of the day, fountains, and plantings. The museum itself was not large, but they had a surprising amount of artifacts. We loved looking at the mummies, sarcophagi, the toys and jewelry of the ancient Egyptians. There was papyrus and a large diorama explaining family life in ancient Egypt, including how Egyptians welcomed a new baby into the world, which was of particular interest to our family.

There was also a fairly large exhibit of artifacts and replicas from other ancient civilizations including Sumeria, Assyria, and Babylon. The boys were excited to see a replica of the Rosetta stone and of the stele of Hammurabi's Code, as well as an artist's 3-D rendition of what the Hanging Gardens of Babylon might have looked like.

The museum also offered a 40 minute planetarium presentation which we tried but ended up leaving. Brownen didn't make it through the introduction and Ian lost interest almost immediately but managed to sit quietly for about 25 minutes of it. I was surprised that Kimball and Henry did so well with it, as I found it to be a rather dry high-school or college level lecture on the Mithraic Mysteries. I would recommend it for kids at least 10 and older who have an interest in the ancient world, otherwise wait until they are teenagers.

Here are a few shots of the kids playing Senet outside before we headed into rush hour traffic to drive home. I wish that I had taken more pictures of the grounds, but that will have to wait for our next visit.