Here we go again…

I’m pregnant!

We told the grandparents yesterday (they were supposed to all come for dinner, but one of the kids got sick… and both sets of grandparents are set to take long trips this week.  So, the party was cancelled.)  We told them with a bouquet of Valentine flower with the note included.

We told the kids this morning at breakfast, although some had already guessed because it’s been very hard to find ‘regular’ shirts that fit well.  It’s not my first pregnancy, so the body knows what it wants/needs to do!

While open to the possibility of another child, I’ve had an ongoing health issue that made the probability quite slim.  And, I was caught off-guard because I had what I thought was a cycle in December.  However, I wasn’t ‘really’ charting (ie. no temp taking) and I wasn’t ‘really’ paying attention to other signs.  I’m not so young anymore, cycles do funny things at this time of your life.  So, when I completely missed the January cycle, I knew something was up.

The goofy thing is that on Epiphany, I wore an outfit that didn’t make me look as slim as I normally do… and THREE people asked if I was pregnant!  Of course, I said no.  My dear friend, Beth, even told one inquirer that I’d had a Colorado Bulldog at her home the day before (Bison FB team in Championship game)…and I had.  I honestly had no idea I was expecting.  However, since that day, I had a few symptoms that really made me wonder: swollen fingers (couldn’t put my wedding ring on or take it off), almost fainted in the shower, suddenly too hot on one of the coldest days in January, tired at odd hours, my jeans are a little snug (I’d attributed that to Christmas eating, but not anymore!).

Trying to keep a pregnancy incognito when you’ve had a few pregnancies really isn’t that easy.  Let’s just say I’m thankful we were finally able to get the word out to our parents so I could dig out the maternity clothes!  The body just knows what it wants to do … expand the waistline.

So, while the first appt. has yet to occur, we know we’ll be due sometime in late September or early October.  One can never really tell with my kids who have all been various amounts over their predicted due date.  Thank goodness I’ve been feeling pretty good this time around.  Only tired in the evening, when I should be tired!

Monday DayLook: February 6, 2012

Looking out from my back porch... it’s sunny and cool looking.

I am thankful for... silly toddler boys who like hugs and kisses, the fact that Spring is around the corner, my husband being home more this week, kids who help clean around the house, a clean kitchen, free Saturday’s, the ability to leave the kids home and go to Mass by myself once in a while.

I am reading… a fluff novel.

I am praying for... a college friend who suffered a spinal cord injury, but was able to go home last week.  She’s 8 mos. pregnant and in a halo, but she’s alive and will heal. 

I am hearing... Zeke busily writing his book report.

I am wearing… jeans and a ls t-shirt.

From the School Room... it’s Monday and a new week.  I’m hopeful this week will go well.

From the Kitchen... made a double batch of Italian Sausage Soup with  plans to freeze at least half.  Also had a mini-cooking session on Saturday.  I prepared taco meat and Pizza burgers (18ct) to freeze for later use.  I’m signed up to bring a meal to a family today, so I prepped a Tater tot hotdish.  Just need to make a dessert and deliver by 5:30pm.

A successful moment… Dash is caught up in Latin.  Everyone is on track as of right now, to be done in May at a decent time.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: deliver meal to local family, Eric went to Fargo for a funeral.

Tuesday-Wednesday: no big plans.

Thursday: dance for Angelina

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: Little I crop judging for Angelina and Dash on Friday.  Women of Grace for me – and maybe a little shopping!  The kids also have a crop judging contest on Saturday.  Sunday, we plan to celebrate Zeke’s 9th birthday with both sets of grandparents.

A picture memory... the pic below is of Zeke at my brother’s wedding in 2004.  Boy, if I hadn’t dug this out I wouldn’t have known how much Louis resembles Zeke at this age.  Same eyebrows, eyes, smile, round face, etc.  Louis is bigger, though.

Bake for Family Fun Month

Sponsored by The Home Baking Association, this looks like it could be a bit of fun.  My favorite baking site, King Arthur Flour, is also getting into the act to promote this family activity on its blog.

The HBA has themed baking activities for each week based on grade level.  I hadn’t checked this site out before, but it looks really great.  Angelina has been in a baking mood this week and Dash offered to cook this morning, too.  Zeke makes his own eggs for breakfast on most mornings. 

The site even has educational resources, videos, tips, and recipes.  I plan to check it out further… you should, too!

The Miracle Cure

I’m not sure if this can really be called a miracle cure, but maybe I just needed a little reinforcement to strengthen my backbone and resolve when dealing with attitude in our homeschool.  Regardless, I’m desperate enough to try it and see if it’ll help our family.

The Miracle Cure for Bad Homeschooling Attitudes

Here’s what I’m dealing with…

*one child who argues over whether an assignment was completed – maybe the dog ate it?  Except that our dog doesn’t live in our house and the schoolwork doesn’t leave the house.  Definite trust issues.

*another child has disobeyed my instructions on how to complete an assignment for two days in a row.  I forgave him the first day after we talked about it and I reminded today how to do it correctly… but he persisted in his stubborn ways.

*a third child snuck downstairs after breakfast and started playing without dressing or doing outside chores (dad is gone this week).  Our routine is breakfast, get dressed, make your bed & tidy your room, outside morning chores, etc.  It just keeps us (ME) sane to have this morning routine.

*all of this culminates with me having a terrible attitude and really contemplating WHY I am DOING ‘THIS’. 

Then, this newsletter from CHC arrived in my inbox.  I tell you, these articles were meant for me today! 

Small update the the ‘two days in a row’ disobedient child… I had him do a small, but tedious, pick up chore downstairs.  Upon completion, he was ready to do the assignment as instructed and much praise for neatness followed.

Miraculous Medal

 

Why should you wear the Miraculous Medal?  Found this blog post today in my wanderings on the web. 

I wear the Miraculous Medal and have for quite some time, for no other reason than that I was drawn to it.  Personally, I haven’t asked for specific requests; it’s enough to know that I am protected.

Monday DayLook: January 30, 2012

Looking out from my back porch... it’s been grey all day.  Almost looks like a snowfall is approaching.

I am thankful for... plentiful eggs, which means a quick dinner is always at hand – omelets!

I am reading… a number of novels….just for fun and because they are quick reads. 

I am praying for... a college friend who was in a serious accident last week.  She was finally able to go home, but is still in a great deal of pain.

I am hearing...squeaky toy tractor wheels, little boys playing, and older boys making annoying noises when they should be memorizing.

I am wearing… sweats and a sweater (hey, I don’t have to go anywhere today!).

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… this is also the spot where clothing donations pile up.  So this past weekend, I went through what’s in piles and set aside items appropriate for a donation to the Peru Mission Trip that members of our parish are organizing.  Thus far, I have a large black garbage bag full and I hope to glean more from our excess.

From the School Room... is it May, yet!?!

From the Kitchen... tried a new quiche recipe (not quite perfected enough to share) and a new crock pot pork roast.  The verdict is still out on the latter because it’s for supper.

From the Garden… went through my seeds and started to compile my needs for Spring.

From the FarmYard… perusing poultry magazines because I’ll need to place an order in early February.

A successful moment… all the clean clothes were put away this weekend.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Nada for the kids and I.  Eric left this morning for a snowmobile trip.

Tuesday: Nada.

Wednesday: Fargo meeting for me and I hope to arrive early enough to run errands, which seem never-ending.

Thursday: Dance for Angelina in the evening.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: 1st crop judging meet for Dash & Angelina, Eric home on Sunday.