I may be a bit bias, but seriously, does it get any cuter than a smiling baby with a fluffy cloth bum?

Beraiah is 6 months old already! He's doing all the sweet things babies do. Rolling, playing, nursing, babbling, nursing, cooing, napping, and nursing.

I know that with this being my sixth baby, you might think it's not as special this time around. Truly though, I am amazed daily at how previous children are. How blessed I am, beyond all measure. How gracious the Lord is to let me be a Mama. And this little life is a miracle. Just like with my firstborn, I'm falling in love all over again, and being reminded that's there's nothing as sweet as the smell of a babys brow!

Overdue introduction - Beraiah

Well, the fact that my pregnancy counter says 46+ weeks, says it all. Our introduction is a little overdue.
Beraiah was born in February and is just an amazing little gift from heaven. We are all in love with him.

Having a good day

Today has been really good! The all.day.morning.sickness hasn't had me on the couch today. I was able to cook two meals, and eat them! We caught up on some housework that needed to be done, and I didn't have to have a nap! Things seem to come in spurts with this baby. I will have a really good day, and then a really tough one. Of course, when I am feeling my worst, I think of how healthy this little one must be, to have such strong hormones making Mama feel so sick. Sick is a good sign.

I ordered a doppler and it should be here in the next week or so. I am excited about getting to hear baby's heartbeat. That is such a sweet sound to my ears. Next week, I am starting to look for a doctor too. I am praying the Lord guides us in choosing someone that will meet our needs well.

In the meantime Benjamin is quite the nursing champ. He doesn't look like he will self wean anytime in the future. I am praying for an easy transition since he will have to be completely weaned before this baby arrives. We are going to have a planned cesarean, and I will have to be away from him for several days. I was hoping he would lose interested as he got older and busier. No chance of that. I am a little sad about it, it seems like he was just a newborn yesterday. It has been wonderful being able to comfort him with nursing whenever he is hurt, sick, or sleepy. He will be almost two when I plan on weaning him, and I know he has greatly benefited from that amount of time.

This picture was so cute. Marendy was playing babies, and she had them all piled up on her stroller. Like...um....all 15 of them, LOL. She pushed them in to where I was and said..."Look Mama, I have a lot of babies, I suuuurrreee am blessed, huh?" Yes baby, you sure are!

Happy Birthday Brady

I can't believe my oldest is 14 today! Happy Birthday Brady! You are growing into a fine young man. I look forward to watching your life, and seeing what the Lord has in store for your future.

Library Day, Swimming, Swimsuits

We went to the library today, and filled our basket with lots of good things to read. That is one of our favorite places to go, and I try to do it each week. We are blessed to have a wonderful library here. These past few weeks have been spent reading about beekeeping, sharks, self sufficient living, Johnny Appleseed, horses, and King Arthur. Pretty eclectic mix heh?

It was really warm this afternoon when we got home(Or maybe I should say warmer, because I know the really warm stuff is yet to be seen this year). So, we let Benjamin play in his little pool. He had so much fun. Of course, he was having so much fun, that before long, he had company! I had my camera set wrong for some of these.

I have been working on swimsuits for the girls. After last year, I knew that storebought suits just werent an option for us. We had the girls putting clothes over them, for modesty sakes, anyway. I know that really wasnt very practical for swimming. So, I designed these. They weren't hard to do at all. I made the top just like a tank. The bottoms are bike shorts style, with an attatched skirt. I didn't want this to feel bulky, so there is no elastic. It has a yoga style waist band. Marendy's is on the cutting table now. I hope to get it finished up in the next day or two. The girls picked out their own fabrics. Marendy's is pink, of course. I will be sure to show hers once it's finished.

Benjamin is getting so big. He is 17 months already. I got these pictures while he was in his little pool today.





Playing Boo with Mama...


Just being cute!

Croup

Benjamin woke up with a fever and some serious strider in the middle of the night. I immediately steamed up the bathroom and sat in there with him for 10 minutes. After no improvement, we went out into the cool night air. He was still very raspy, and I knew we would have to take him in for some epinephrine treatments at the hospital. After years of treating Marendy with stymptoms like this, I am pretty familiar with what will have to happen. Baylen rode with me, while Gary stayed home with the sleeping children. We went to our local hospital because it was so much closer (20 minutes away), and he was pretty bad. After several hours, x-rays, and breathing treatments, we were on our way back home, and he was a *little* better. We laid down for about an hour. I woke up to more crouping and called his Pediatrician. She said what I knew, he needed to go to the Children's Hospital. I handed out orders to the other kids from the steamy bathroom, while holding Benjamin. We were out the door in about 15-20 minutes. Gary was driving a little over the speed limit, and we ended up getting pulled over. I think this was actually a good thing because the police man called an ambulance for us, that took us all the way to the Children's Hospital. Benjamin was able to get oxygen the whole way there (over an hour) which eased my mind a great deal.

They admitted us overnight there. I was so thankful, because he needed several epinephrine treatments. All together I think he had 6-7. When Gary and the other kids went home, Brady stayed with Benjamin and I, to be a help. That night was pretty scary. Thankfully though, I know someone that's good to lean on. Someone that answers the prayers of worried Mamas during the night. Thank you again Lord. I was able to bring my baby home. The crouping is gone, and he is left with just a cold. We trying to get things back to normal now.

The men in my life

I wanted to share some pictures with you. Benjamin looked to me, like a little prince in his Strasburg suit. I especially love the picture of Gary holding him. I like Gary's hand there, with Benjamin's tiny hand sitting on top of it. How sweet.

I look at these and realize how gracious our Lord is. Benjamin shouldn't even be here. I had a tubal ligation after Marendy was born. Through the mercy of the Lord, it was reversed, and we conceived another blessing. I can't tell you how much joy this little boy brings to our family. He lights up the rooms here in our little home. His sweet face is a continued reminder to me. These precious little ones are on loan to us. We must be diligent in training them in the Lord. I pray that each of my children go on to serve Him in every aspect of their lives.

I think my job is the best in the world. I love being home with my children, and being able to put all of my efforts and energy into raising them. I hold tight the task of making my home a wonderful place, so that my husbands misses it greatly, and can't wait to walk back into those doors each evening.

Benjamin is growing so fast! He loves being outside now that the weather has warmed up. I let the children go in the front yard during the afternoons, while I sew. I watch them from my window upstairs. They love their little brother so much! They take the red wagon and give him rides all around the yard. He likes to pick up sticks and rocks, and play in the dirt! As such is boys... Notice the little scrape on his leg in his pictures?

He has two fine young men to help mold him. His big brothers are as different as night and day. I love that about them.

Baylen has patience, and can build most anything. He takes joy in all that the Lord created. Growing gardens, and tending animals. All the while with a song in his heart, offering it up to the Lord.

Brady has boldness, and is becoming a leader. He is fascinated with science, and can hold with the best in a creation debate. He is a God called preacher, and its quite evident, even at 13 years old, when he is behind the pulpit.

My handsome husband makes a mighty fine Daddy too. Watching him with our children makes my heart do flip flops. Well, that and his strong hands holding holding my littlest blessing. Have I told you I was blessed? I am, I really am.