Leo's Baptism

Leo Henry Lahlum

Baptized November 27, 2009
Celebrant:  Fr. Wilhelm
Cathedral of St. Mary

Eric and I with Leo, surrounded by his Godparents - Curt and Sarah

Blessing the 'newly replenished and warmed' water (above).

Lighting Leo's Baptism candle (above).

Consecration of Leo Henry to Our Blessed Mother (above).

Back: Curt, Eric (hubby), Fr. Wilhelm

Front: Sarah, Suzie, Baby Leo, server - friend of family, Dash (Leo's brother), server - son of Curt & Sarah

Leo with Grandma and Grandpa Green Acres (Eric's parents)

Leo with Grandma and Grandpa Golden Acres (Suzie's parents)

Leo with Godparents, Sarah and Curt.  Poor little guy is hungry, but let us take his picture anyway!

At home after a long day! 

Our family attended the 12:10pm Mass at St. Mary's on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  His Godparents and their family, Grandma Golden Acres, and Grandma and Grandpa Green Acres also participated in Mass with us.  Leo's Baptism was immediately after Mass (well, we did wait for a few family members, but the time flew!). 

Leo's Baptism was beautiful.  It included blessings (much needed) for Eric and I, as well.  Fr. Wilhelm's sermon had many lessons in it and I can hardly wait to listen again.  Thank goodness one of my brothers was gracious enough to tape the ceremony for us.  Many of our family members were present, and we were all touched by Fr. Wilhelm's words of wisdom.  We are blessed to know this priest and have him in our lives.

After the Baptism, we invited everyone to a reception held in Leo's honor.  We had a light lunch and cake before heading home to the farm.  Thanks to my brother Collin for arranging the use of a conference room at his place of work.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday DayLook - November 23

For Today:  November 23, 2009

Looking out my back porch... I see another reason why it's a good 'thing' we didn't get the grass planted this summer/fall - a trench needed to be dug to hook up water for the detached garage and it goes quite a ways into the back yard.  And... it's raining, again.  No harvest today.

I am thinking... about how fast the last couple weeks have gone by and how much I really enjoy this stage of babyhood. 

I am thankful for...  health and family. 

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… lots of laundry, but I've also been thinking about that Christmas stocking that NEEDS to be sewn before the evening of December 5th (we celebrate St. Nicholas' feast day by hanging our stockings).

From the school room... we did a few days worth of school last week and not at 'full strength'.  This week is also a short school week because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

From the kitchen...  I hope to bake a blueberry pie (from scratch) to bring to the Thanksgiving celebration.  Otherwise, my meal prep has been limited to sandwiches, leftovers, and meals from the freezer.  Graham and I did make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies on Saturday.

I am reading...  emails and local papers.  Not much time for formal book reading.

I am hoping... that corn harvest finishes up quickly - after this rain dries up.

I am hearing... our normal morning sounds - it"s generally pretty loud.  It's not the way I'd prefer my mornings, but I don't have much choice at this point. 

State of the house… not too bad if you don't look at my floors ... AND if you don't go upstairs or downstairs or in the mudroom.  The garage (it's attached to the house), however, is cleaner than it's been since we moved into the house!  That's thanks to my mom and her pint-sized crew who cleaned it so thoroughly.

A successful moment…  I am almost caught up on correcting schoolwork and our school schedule has been updated to reflect time off and vacation days in November.

A few plans for the rest of the week…

Monday: Angelina doesn't have dance tonight, so that's a nice break.

Tuesday & Wednesday: No set plans for these days.  Although, we will need to do a bit of prep for Thanksgiving travel and Leo's baptism on Friday

Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving!  Our annual tradition is to celebrate Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family at her sister's ranch ... hosted by by grandfather, who is still spry in his mid-90's.  We generally don't see this side of the family except for at this time of year.  Lots of food prepared by my mom and her two sisters to feed the crowd that arrives Thanksgiving Day.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: Since most of the family is in the area for Thanksgiving (and planning to stay overnight on Thursday), we decided to have Leo's baptism on Friday afternoon at the Cathedral of St. Mary.  A good friend, Sarah, and her husband Curt, will be godparents for Leo.   

A look at my day, in pictures...

Hubby brought home roses for me (above) and my ever helpful mother - Grandma Golden Acres (below).

Grandma Golden Acres with Leo.

Welcome

Angelina made this sign and taped it to the garage door for us to see when we arrived home with Leo.  We still haven't taken it down!

  Because of visiting restrictions, this is the first time our kids haven't come to the hospital to see the newest sibling.  And, that was perfectly OK with me.  Afterall, I really didn't want to expose healthy kids to germs that may have been floating around the hospital.  And, it was just easier for the Grandparents not to have to worry about a 1.5 hour (one-way) trip to town for a short visit.

I'm not quite sure why, but Graham really likes to call Leo by a couple different monikers.  One is 'Leo the Great' (with a sing-song voice) and the other is 'Baby Louis'.  We correct him, but he always comes back to Baby Louis, so, that seems to be the fitting nickname for Leo in blog world. 

2 Weeks

Leo Henry is two weeks old today. 

His little hands have already filled out sooo much!

Leo had a Dr. appointment in the afternoon.  He's gained just about two pounds, but according to the nurse hasn't grown in length, yet.  That will come!

We also took the opportunity to see his Godmother for the first time.

Godmother to Be - Sarah - with Leo

Monday DayLook - November 16

For Today: November 16, 2009

Looking out my back porch... Yeah!!  The soybean fields around the house and farm are harvested. 

I am thinking... wow, the last week and a half have gone by so quickly; I'll miss my mom when she leaves tomorrow morning; and I really enjoyed the last week off from homeschool.

I am thankful for... the breakdown on the combine being a quick-fix type.  Not sure of the cost, which is always more than expected, but they were out in the field earlier than other days ... even with the repair needing to be done.  To top off the week, the soybean harvest finished up on Saturday evening.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!) ... just laundry this past week. 

From the school room... absolutely nothing!  And it felt good to take a break, very good.  I'm not sure if we'll do a lot this week, but I might have the kids do a few subjects to ease back into the schedule.

From the kitchen... last week, my mom and sister were very busy making wonderful food and goodies.  We found a recipe for apple pie bars that used oatmeal instead of cornflakes - which I did not have on hand.  They were yummy. 

I am reading... newspapers, blogs, and emails - in small snatches of time!

I am hoping... that corn harvest starts and finishes with NO break-downs.

I am hearing... morning sounds:  cupboards opening & shutting, breakfast being dished up, dishwasher being unloaded & loaded, clothes being taken out of drawers, little feet (and some that are getting pretty big) running up & down the stairs ...

State of the house… it's good enough for me not to feel stressed about cleaning (and that's saying a LOT).

A successful moment… my mom, Angelina and Zeke planted the tulip and daffodil bulbs that I purchased in September (wishful thinking on my part that I could get them planted!).  I thought they'd have to be stored over-winter because it was getting so late, but my mom offered to lead the process ... and can you believe it's November and the ground isn't frozen here, yet.

A few plans for the rest of the week…

Monday: Dance for Angelina - my mom is planning to take her again.

Tuesday: My mom is leaving this morning.  I will miss her help.  So, it's my first day solo with my little flock.

Wednesday: Mmmmm, we'll just have to see what the day brings.  I'll be prepping for our trip to Fargo, too.

Thursday: Eric will attend a convention (he's a delegate) in Bismarck that runs from Thursday through Saturday.  Leo has his two-week appt. today ... hard to believe it's already been two weeks since his birth.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: There is a Bison FB game on Saturday.  Even though it's the last home game of the year, I'm not sure any of us will attend.  Sunday is also the Annual CCM Pie Sale (while not an active member for the last couple years, I still like to contribute ... this year's contribution will be cash!).

A look at my day, in pictures:

Soybean Harvest - just outside my back porch. 

Status of the detached garage... some of the trim work arrived in the wrong color, so the roof work is stalled for a bit.  Our contractor was out at the end of the week to do a lot of clean-up and dirt work.  The plan is now to pour cement pads while the weather is so cooperative.

A morning revelation...

I actually have ankles again!  So lovely to see them and think that maybe now my shoes will fit without pinching.  I think this may be the earliest my ankles have returned after childbirth ... must be the time of year.

One Week Old

Tuesday DayLook - November 10

For Today: November 10, 2009

Looking out my back porch... everything is a frosted brown, even the weeds!  Why do the weeds stay greenish when all the other 'cool' plants and trees (well, except for evergreens) turn a yucky mottled brown??

I am thinking... this is a nice peaceful morning and the kids are being pretty mellow.  Today is St. Leo the Great's feast day.

I am thankful for... health and being on 'this' side of pregnancy.  I'm also thankful, in retrospect that my water broke before labor started ... it allowed us to travel the 100 miles to Fargo for the birth.

From the sewing/craft room ... absolutely nothing, except that this room also serves as the upstairs laundry.  Lots of laundry going in and out!

From the school room... Angelina is not far from completing her ND History.  Zeke has been a little stinker - attitude wise - when it comes to Sound Beginnings, so I'm trying to think of a way to positively motivate him without it seeming like a 'reward for doing expected/necessary work'.  The kids finished up their schoolwork last week, but I haven't corrected anything since last Wednesday.  We are taking this week off for sure. 

From the kitchen... I'm not trying to do anything spectacular this week.  However, my mom has been busy.  Sunday, she roasted a huge turkey and we've been using the leftovers since.  Yesterday she made enough Knefla soup to feed an army.  My sister & mom also made apple crisp for dessert last night ... yum!

I am reading... barely reading the newspapers at this point, but the plethora of catalogs (of which there are many at this time of year ... peruse and maybe keep the good ones, toss the ones that are ridiculous) have been fun to look over!

I am hoping... that Baby Leo keeps up his very content nature, that my hubbie's review goes well today, and that soybean harvest finishes up in good weather and without any breakdowns

I am hearing... the normal sounds of our morning: breakfast being served, dishes cleared to the dishwasher, kids chattering about Baby Leo and their cousin, Weston.

State of the house… I do believe it's cleaner than last week ... at least the main level floors are cleaner.

A successful moment… we made it to church on time this past Sunday, even with brand new Baby Leo. 

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Dance for Angelina (thank goodness Grandma Golden Acres was willing to take her to dance last night).

Tuesday-Thursday:  Absolutely nothing planned!  Just enjoying being home and enjoying the ability to send the kids outside without worry about mud and cold weather.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: Relax, relax, relax.  We'll probably send Dash up to Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres farm (with Uncle Collin, again) because the rellies are planning to process all the deer meat obtained this past weekend.  Eric, of course, will still be involved in soybean harvest.

A look at my day, in pictures...

Leo Henry Lahlum

Announcing the arrival of Leo Henry Lahlum! 

He was born November 5th at 4:26a.  Leo weighed in at 11 pounds 2.2 ounces (yea, no kidding there...) and measured 22 inches long.  He's a content baby and a good eater.  Just feels incredibly good to be on this side of the pregnancy.  I may or may not write more about the labor and birth, we'll just have to see what my mood brings.

We came home Saturday morning ... I think it took the older kids until this afternoon to calm down.  My mom, Grandma Golden Acres, drove out to the farm Friday night to take over care of the kids from Grandma Green Acres.  I'm thankful she'll be here for a while.

Just a little before 10am this morning ...

Zeke:  "Joy to the World, I'm done with School!"

I'm thinking:  Yes, thank God we made it through this day/morning without me being completely frustrated by the little attitude that has been cropping up in you during our Sound Beginnings lessons.  Can I hope that 'the attitude' is gone for good??

**Dash has been listening to Christmas music this week.  I guess it's rubbed off on everyone.

What's going on around here...

1. After a big flop on the Creme de Menthe brownies yesterday (forgot to add the flour), they are finally baked and cooling on the stove top.  They'll be frosted and in the freezer by this evening.

2. Gave Dash an incentive ... he wants to go up to the annual deer hunt with my family (he can catch a ride with my brother), so he has to get all this weeks schoolwork done by Thursday morning.  We are scheduled for five days, so he's been slowly working his way through the subjects.

3. The detached garage now has its roof trusses covered in plywood and is looking more like an enclosure.

4. I decided that the remaining tomatoes would be better off composted.  I went through them on Sat. to get rid of those that had spoiled.  I'm truly NOT motivated to do more, so rather than toss them in the garbage, they'll work for me by creating fertilizer/compost.  It's not wasted.

5. It was Zeke's turn to ride in the combine yesterday ... YES, harvest is going full strength, finally! ... but today it is Graham's turn.  He is so thrilled.  Ahhh, the joy of a little boy who gets to spend the day with his dad in the combine is just about unmatchable in any other way.

6. Dash is playing Christmas music while doing his schoolwork .... Manheim Steamroller.  Odd to me, but I'm not going to argue because he appears to be working hard.

7.  Laundry and a bit of floor cleaning after all schoolwork has been completed.

Wordless Wednesday - Proud Progression?

Monday DayLook - November 2

For Today: November 2, 2009

Looking out my back porch... dryer, but not dry enough.  More progress on the detached garage. 

I am thinking... I could really use a break from homeschooling!

I am thankful for... the coming break from homeschooling!

From the sewing/craft room… seriously, I think my craft and sewing impulses have completely been washed away with all the fall rains we've received. 

I did order two cuts of Christmas tapestry fabric from Ebay.  I've made all of our Christmas stockings from tapestry (used on Dec. 6th for St. Nicholas' feast day), so I'd like to get one made for baby.  Christmas tapestry is NOT easy to find anymore; I'm not sure why.

From the school room... we just keep at it.  I make sure to correct all assignments on the day they're given.  I am looking forward to a small break.  I'm rescheduling a few subjects until after Thanksgiving; I don't want the kids to get caught in the middle of a week-long assignment and have delays in correction.

From the kitchen... my family is thankful that I'm still cooking for them, even if it is a sandwich with chips and veggies/fruit on the side, most of the time. 

I did create a double batch (5 lbs.) of buttery cashew brittle.  One pan got a little thick, but the flavor was still wonderful!  I'll freeze the candy until Thanksgiving/Christmas and may even use a bit for gifts.  Over the weekend, Angelina helped me bake a double batch of pecan rolls (hadn't planned on them, but found the recipe and remembered how quick, easy and tasty they turned out last year ... couldn't resist) and a double batch of Red Current Jelly Thumbprint cookes for the freezer.

Also made a pan of Creme de Menthe Brownies for the country church's annual fundraiser (held on Sunday).

I am reading... finished up reading 'genesis' - a book on educating given to me by my priest.  The last few chapters talked about discipline and how to motivate kids in accomplishing certain virtues.  I've earmarked those for later.  Otherwise, do schoolwork directions and math problems for my 6yo count??

I am hoping... that this baby comes before November 10 (my next scheduled appt., at which I would have do delve into the induction talk with my Dr. a little further).

I am hearing... not much, it's amazingly quiet.

State of the house… not as clean as I'd like, but it's passable. 

Some successful moments… a few more Christmas goodies and meals in the freezer, another week of homeschooling completed, and our prayer schedule continues to work fairly well.

A few plans for the rest of the week…

Monday: Dance lessons for Angelina.

Tuesday-Sunday: I'm trying not to make plans because I don't want to be stressed about deadlines or have to worry about calling because we aren't able to attend an event.

A look at my day, in pictures...

My sole set of Fall decorations!  Just didn't feel like lugging out the boxes this year.

The reason I most likely will not loose the baby weight very quickly!

A reminder of my brother's wedding in October ... the table centerpieces were beautiful, and I was able to bring one home to enjoy.