Camera Happy

It just so happened that I had my camera along for all the kids' activities yesterday.  I went a little nutso taking pictures of their various classes.  Here's proof:

38 Weeks

Well... almost. 

We've entered what I like to call the 'Just in Case' [the baby comes today] phase.  For example:

-better get a profile belly shot, just in case!

-better do some freezer cooking, just in case!

-better put the carseat in place, just in case!

-better have one last night out, just in case!!  (thanks, Mom and Dad!!!)

-better order both the chocolate and carrot cakes, just in case we never see dessert again (yeah, right)!

-better put the sheets on the crib, just in case he ever agrees to sleep in there (unlike most of our other kids)!

-better keep the cord blood collection kit with us at all times, just in case!!

(Hey, how'd that goofball get into my photo shoot?!)

-better prepare myself for a couple more weeks of pregnancy, just in case!!  :)

Actually, Eustace and I spent 15 minutes alone with Jesus in a quiet church today - the most important preparatory move we will make, to be sure!! 

Humbly requesting your prayers, as well. 

37 Weeks

My doctor's advice today was the following: "for the next two weeks, put your feet up."  That confirmed my gut instinct which has been prompting me to do a lot of this:

(substitute chocolate for pickles)

Call it laziness, maternal intuition, or just plain fatigue, but my movement is not rapid these days. 

To complicate matters, I started reading this:

and can't quite tear myself away from the story. 

I promise I am teaching my children, feeding everyone (with significant help from my husband and the pizza delivery crew), and getting everyone to most of their activities. 

I'm letting go of some of the less-important items on my nesting to-do list (such as hanging up pictures), and focusing what little energy I can muster on things like stocking the freezer and organizing diapers.  We're about as ready as we're going to be...

So, the plan is to follow doctor's orders as much as possible and to relish the last few weeks of pregnancy. 





Milestones

First of all, my Dad turned 68 today.  Happy Birthday, Pada!!

Christmas 2011.  Note to self:  Take more pictures of your parents.

Second, today marks 14 years since I became a Catholic.  I have loved and appreciated every minute.  My husband keeps telling me that after so many years, I'll be allowed to know about the 'secret 8th sacrament.'  If you know my husband, you'll appreciate this ridiculous comment. 

Third, Miss Lucy received her first pair of pointe shoes in ballet class this evening.  Technically, they're 'pre-pointe' shoes, but it's a big deal nevertheless.  For once, I remembered my camera.  Much to Lucy's dismay, I was the only obnoxious parent snapping photos.  She took it like a champ. 

They spent a large part of their class learning how to properly sew on the ribbons...

Love the hole-y tights in the corner!

Happiness

Happy Easter 2012!!

On our way to Mass

 After Mass

 photo by the Loopinator

 Sacrifice beans 'magically' transformed into jelly beans.

'Empty tombs' for breakfast.  I made these cute little treats last year, and they were such a hit that I made them again.  So easy!  I think the idea came from another blog.

My Little Visitor

Remember my friend named 'Jewel' who came to visit a few months ago?  Well, she came back today, but apparently has changed her name to 'Emily'.  Coincidentally, her baby's name is 'Sara'.  Anyway, this friend of my is just so mature, it's hard to believe.  In fact, she's telling me now that she just won a running race, her trophy is gold, she'll be staying at my house for a 'long, long time ago' until Friday when she's coming right back, and I'll be babysitting her baby. 

Her poor baby has a fever and, even worse, her brothers hit her in the head this morning with a frying pan because they really wanted a little brother (hmmmm....), so they're at home standing in a corner.  'My friends' kids,' she tells me,'are really well behave, but mine, ugh, are just so bad.'  She does clarify, however, that her girls are good, it's just those boys who have to go in the corner every day.   (Incidentally, the only person in this house who's had a time out in the corner lately is a certain 4-year-old.)

The saddest part of all is that Emily told me that her dear husband George died in world war 26,000, and she cried and cried and her children didn't know why she was crying.  But now, I guess, he's doing better, because his favorite colors are brown  and orange and he thinks she looks really great with eye makeup on. 

Well, I have to go now because Emily would like to drive me to another friend's house because she has just enough extra 'grown-up' seats in her car, but just so I know, she'll be driving.  If I could come along, 'that would be great' and 'she doesn't mind at all.' 

We should have plenty to talk about because her husband is a 'body doctor' for babyies and stuff.  He uses a sharp thing to get the babies out, wraps the babies up in a blanket, and gives them to the mommies.  But, at the end, you have to give him your email and stuff like that. 

Oh my, lo and behold, baby Sara has decided to go back in Emily's tummy, and Emily is so frustrated because she's not coming out until 'like, a week.'  She thinks our babies will really like each other.  I think so, too. 

And now I'm having a makeover (lipgloss on eyelids) because she thinks my husband will really like the way I look in eyeshadow. 

I'm getting really worn out.  Maybe my little visitor would to watch some Dora...  Actually, she's on her way out because she has to get her 'blood cell.'  (I've been having blood draws every few weeks throughout my pregnancy...). 

I'm sure she'll come back another day.  :)

Holy Week

Holy week is here.  Our preparations have not been as thorough as I had envisioned, but Easter is on its way nevertheless!!  We're going to try to squeeze all the spirituality we can out of these last few days before the year's greatest celebration. 

My blog entries have been sorely lacking due to a variety of factors (primarily pregnancy-induced sleepiness and forgetfulness :), and I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to share of our road trip last week.  But, I'll tell you about it, anyway!

Our lovely niece Anjali was confirmed on Wednesday evening, and I had the honor of serving as her sponsor.  So, we traveled to my husband's hometown for that.  Since I forgot my camera (of course), I relied on my eldest daughter for photography.  We'll work on downloading her pictures later. 

Then we traveled to Columbus, OH, for a couple of appointments and visits with our dear friends.  Since Eustace and I lived there for several years, met and got married there, it's a city near and dear to our hearts. 

We've been working with pediatric optometrists and a homeschooling/reading specialist there, and both of these services have been extremely helpful, especially to the boys.  These doctors and well worth traveling for, and we also have an excuse to hang out in one of our favorite places.  Win-win.  We'll have a couple more follow-ups, at least, so ask my how I feel about these road trips in a few months when newborn baby F. is in tow.  :)  I'm sure he'll be a great traveller (let's hope!). 

Then on Saturday we rushed home for Ignace's end-of-the-season award ceremony and family versus team basketball game.  Eustace, Lucy and Victor all tried their hands at driving the sports chairs.  Lots of fun.  The parents pulled out a narrow win. 

Yesterday, we crashed. 

All the school districts around here are on spring break this week, which means we don't really have any extracurricular activities.  Our goals include: daily rosary, lots of read-alouds about Easter, egg-dying, and probably some math here and there. 

Hope everyone has a blessed week!