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