Introducing my new nephew

around here he will be going by the name of "the rookie" (my brother loves baseball)

The story starts at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. My brother, sister-in-law, and her parents arrive at the hospital and get settled in for a long day. At 8:00 she receives her patosin. Around noon she got her epidural. At 1:00 she was at 5 cm. I made my appearance around this time to encourage her. I ended up latching onto my 19 month old niece and took her home for a nap at 1:30. As I was walking away my mother says, "Oh, it'll be hours yet." At 2:15 my dad calls and says, "He's here". It all happened really fast (as it did with her first). She only pushed for 15 minutes. "Little Miss" and I raced back to the hospital to meet the new baby boy. I used up all the space on my camera. He was about 2 hours old in the picture above. He's so perfect. Anyway, he was born at 2:04 p.m. and weighed in at a fabulous 7 lbs 10 oz and 19 inches long. Oh, and mommy was amazing. Both are healthy and doing fine. Praise The Lord!

Things are probably going to be all baby here for a while.

Little Miss big girl style

You can read about the birth of "Little Miss" here. It makes me cry every time I read it.
She's my brother's daughter. She is 18 months old now. She has a huge vocabulary for her age. She is exceptional. That's her dancing in her ballerina outfit with her daddy.
Later today, I'm going to post something about my brother's new baby, who is coming soon. I'm thinking that I should involve a GIVE-AWAY also and share some of the coupons that I got from Ms. Wendi.
To check out all things "Little Miss" see the label "My Brother's Baby".

Farmer's Market

Today I participated in my first farmer's market. It wasn't near as big as the one above (just a picture I got online), but it was successful. Last night I baked several dozen chocolate biscotti, cinnamon biscotti, ginger scones, and chocolate chip scones. I packed 5 biscotti per bag (ziplock) and 4 scones per bag and charged $2.00 a bag. Also, my mother baked a pumpkin pie and apple pie. We were cleaned out. I made around $30 (I haven't totalled it up yet). I had a great time and I was thrilled to have been so profitable on my first try. All (except tithe) proceeds go to our adoption fund.
The adoption is getting along slowly but surely. Our next step is our appointment with the marriage therapist which is June 16th.
My husband got a second job. His main job is Monday-Thursday (4- 10 hour shifts) and his new one will be Friday & Saturday (2- 8 to 10 hour shifts). Most of the income from the second job is also going to be saved for the adoption.
It seems like God is really paving the way for us to be able to afford the fees without going into a huge amount of debt.
I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying staying home. I've been watching "little miss" a couple times a week. She's 7 mos. now. She is sitting up, trying to crawl, eating baby food, and saying "Dad Dad Dad", as well as many other vowel sounds. She's a cutie!

Us & Little Miss

She's getting so big. She'll be 6 mos. at the end of April. She loves to sit on my husband's shoulders and pull his hair. Yes, thats me holding her above. She likes it when I walk around with her and sing. Especially enjoys hymns.

Little Miss

What a beautiful face!

Up To

Heres what I've been up to:
Cleaning
Taking care of Little Miss
Learning to make Cheescake
Thinking about adoption- my husband and I have decided that we want an older baby/toddler (6mos.-18mos.)
Reading- I just finished 12 Steps To Becoming A More Organized Woman & A Family Raised On Sunshine - I reccomend both
Craving blogger
I'm enjoying being at home, but I miss being on-line everyday. Can't have it all. I'll be on-line as much as I can.

More

More pictures.. I unloaded my camera finally. This is another Little Miss Christmas pic. In case you was wondering, yes thats my arm. Lovely arm isn't it. Thats about as much of me you'll see here.
Adoption update:
Theres an information packet with our name on it in the mail between there and here. I expect it tomorrow. From there we will call and get an appointment to talk over the process. How do I feel: well sort of like we are doing what we are supposed to do. Like its natural. Its weird, but good. It seems very natural. Our first lesson in this process was that Social workers screen their calls.
My last day at work will be next Thursday. I haven't heard any talk of looking for anyone to replace me or anything. I'm not sure what they think they are doing. Perhaps they are in denial. But, I really don't care. I feel very free.
I'm coming to you from my parent's computer. This is probably going to be when I'm most available now. Weekends.

Merry Christmas Little Miss

This is Little Miss and her first Christmas. She is such a beautiful little girl!

Happy New Year!

I brought in 2008 exactly how I began 2007- sleeping next to the man that I Love. We did observe one tradition- eating corned beef. I bought some sliced thin at the deli and ate it as sandwiches on fresh french bread. Yummy!
2008 is going to be a year of changes I think. The first one is: I'm quiting my secretary job. Finally, hubby has agreed to let me quit. I'm excited about what I'm going to now. I'm either going to babysit for my niece full-time, or go back to cleaning houses a couple times a week. Just maybe I could start my own Baking business. The possibilities are endless. I'm open to where God is leading me. The down side is I'm not sure how often I'm going to be able to blog. My parents are getting Internet in a couple of days... so I'll be able to get on-line there. I'm going to keep my blog up. I just don't know how available I'll be.
The second change is: We are finally moving ahead with adoption. The social worker will be back from the holidays Jan. 7th. We're going to call and make an appt. to talk to her. I'm excited and scared to death all at once. We know its going to be a long road, but we are finally ready to take that next step.
I hope you have a good year!

Husel & Busel

picture from allposters.com

I'm not sure if I spelled the title right...hopefully you know what I mean.
I'm so busy. I've been baking like mad....cookies coming out of my ears. I just learned how to make hard candy this past weekend. My mom taught me. Does anyone have a good fudge recipe?
Little Miss was in a "baby dedication service" this last Sunday evening. We weren't able to go, but I know that her parents are dedicated to teaching her about the Lord. They already pray with her and sing her hymns. I'm excited about babysitting on the 17th, as her mommy goes back to work. I wish her mommy could stay home with her, but I'll be thrilled to keep her. I hope she never darkens the door of a daycare.
I've been thinking maybe I should take a blog break until after the holidays...but I'm absent so much the way it is. We'll see how much I can be here.

New Blog Find of The Week & other

Your Sacred Calling

check out her post about bloggy gossip.

We had a nice Thanksgiving. I made french bread, which was going to be used for my mom's stuffing but we decided to eat it instead. Also, I made hashbrown casserole and a layered pumpkin pie. Little Miss had her first thanksgiving meal.... via her mommy. She is growing like a weed and shes soooo smart. Not that I'm biased or anything. Hopefully I'll have some new pics. to post soon. Her mommy told me yestarday that the doctor had been called concerning some constipation issues. I'm going to call and check on her tomarrow and wish her a happy month old Birthday.

More....

Its going to be "little miss" all the time around here for awhile. I'm sorry, but she's just so darn cute. This is my favorite picture so far. Her jaundice has cleared up. However, I've come down with a little cold. So, I'm probably not going to get to hold her this weekend. My mom is staying with them this weekend and into next week. I'm praying that she doesn't drive my sister-in-law crazy.

For those of you who are wondering: yes she's breast feeding and its going really well now.

The Story of Little Miss & her mommy

Hello! My name is "Little Miss". Thats me in the picture. I'm just a half hour old there. And those big strong hands are my daddy's. I made my grand entrance at 4:26 p.m. on October 31st. I only weighed 6lbs 7oz and I was 17 inches long. You should have seen me when I was born. I was a site.... hair all a mess (yes, I have lots of dark hair).

Well, I'll start from the beginning. My mommy and I went to the hospital at 6:00 a.m. She was given some medicine to try and help me come out. Then we were really getting down to business. By 9:00 my mommy was dilated to 3 or 4 and we were given something to ease the pain. My mommy was loopy! I could hear my auntie Beth laughing at my mommy. Around 1:00p.m. My mommy was dilated to 5. She was really hurting so they started an epidural. At 2:00 she was dilated to 7 and I was coming fast. By 3:00 it was time to push. Boy, did my mommy make some noise. I could hear the doctor saying "push,push,push....." I was coming full speed ahead. Every now and then my mommy would scream "I can't do it anymore!" and I was afraid she might give up. But, my Daddy and my Grandma would encourage her to keep going. Soon I was almost out. But, my mommy was tired. I could hear her praying to God to help her, very loudly I might add. Finally there were a few more screams and then... ohp-thats me screaming. I was here. My Daddy cut my cord. They carried me over to the big bed type thing in the corner. Everybody was crying. I suppose they were glad to see me. I could even hear all of the ruckus in the hallway. Apparently my other Grandma and auntie Beth had been listening at the door the whole time. There were several flashes, I learned to hate the flashes. Everybody was so happy! Then, my Daddy left my side and was yelling for another nurse. I could see my mommy from where I was and she was bleeding, a lot. All the sudden everybody was unhappy. The doctor's hand shook as he worked on my mommy. I could hear my Daddy sobbing, this time with fear and sadness. There was a terrible nervousness, of the unknown. Then there was more crying as the news came that my mommy might have to have surgery. For a time it looked like I might not get any little brothers or sisters. I could see my Grandma praying beside my mommy and telling her scriptures. My mommy was very pale and she went to sleep sometimes. Still the blood came. Then they took me away. Down the hall I went. My Daddy came to me in the nursery. In between the crying there was more flashes. He seemed to be both happy and sad. Then there was a giant sigh of relief when the nurse said my mommy's bleeding was under control. More good news followed soon, that there would be no surgery. As my Daddy was holding me for the first time, the doctor came into the hallway. I heard my auntie Beth ask him if my mommy would be able to have more children. When the doctor said yes I could see how happy she was. Eventually I returned to my mommy's room, and I finally got a meal. There was more flashing all the time. The flashing didn't stop for three days. I am the most photogenic baby.

With all of those people around me I knew that I would be loved.

My mommy was weak and sore for a couple of days. We left the hospital Friday and went to my Grandma's house. Then my skin turned a funny color, and we've had to go back to the hospital everyday. If my jaundice isn't better by today I have to lay under a special light. You know what, I kind of liked the color of my skin before.... so pray for me if you think of it.

Well, I guess thats it for now. Its nice to meet you all!

Little Miss

Even though all of my family and friends are waiting for pictures, I chose to share with my bloggity friends first. The whole story will come later this morning or Tuesday depending on how much time I have here at work. But, I will say that baby and mother are doing fine. Praise God!

New Blog Find Of The Week

Anglea at Life With One Busy Boy

Our party went well. After its success I'm thinking of doing Thanksgiving for our family. I mentioned it to my mother, since my sister-in-law is doing Christmas for us this year. I have to discuss it with hubby.

My sister-in-law is going in at 6:00 a.m. tomarrow to be induced. Shes been dialated to 2 for a week and she isn't progressing. Hopefully by Thursday I'll have a new neice.

leaves are changing......

finally! We went on a drive through the country yestarday and it finally looks like fall. Today it for sure feels like fall too.

I finally made it through my blog roll today. Yet again I'm all caught up on whats going on with everyone. I've been busy at work with the new preacher. Its nice to be busy. I've been really enjoying my days at home even more all the time. I'm really charishing them... and hoping that I get to continue this schedule.

My sister-in-law is still holding that precious little girl in. Yestarday we got a call, and rushed to the hospital. But, she wasn't in "active labor". She looked pretty active to me! I hate seeing her in such pain and discomfort-but I know it will be worth it. So, we're still waiting. The doctor says that if she doesn't come by Tuesday of next week, and s-i-l hasn't progressed anymore then he's going to induce.

We are all set for our party. I'm going to start getting the food prepared tomarrow. However, I'm not sure how many are actually coming. But, we'll have a good time anyway. Even if it ends up just being the two of us.

Hubby and I have been having a little fun. Remember I told you that he wrote me notes and hid them the other day. Well, I wrote him some. Then he wrote some more. And its been back and forth like a game. This morning I found one proped up against the toothbrush holder complimenting me on my smile. Now its my turn.

I made this bread this past weekend. It was pretty good, but I expected the filling to be more creamy than it was. Next time I have to figure out how to do that. Also I made pumpkin pancakes. I took pictures and I'll share them and the recipe next week.

visiting the zoo

We visited the St. Louis Zoo yestarday. Hubby had the day off and we thought we had better go before it gets too cold. Going during the week is the thing to do. We saw the entire zoo and we did it as slowly as we wanted. It did rain a little, but it didn't dampen our spirits. At one point it did pour kind of hard and we took shelter under a fake rock over hang and watched the above elephant play in the ran for some time. It was so nice observing God's creatures and spending time with each other. We had a great time!
Just an update: Still no baby. She is dialated to 2 and shes "afaced" whatever that means. Yet, her doctor doesn't want to admit her until her contractions are stronger. I picked today... so we'll see. My husband has tomarrow.

photo from flicker

Aren't they beautiful. I love morning glories. My grandma used to grow them.
My weekend was good. My birthday was nice. My husband took me to my favorite restaurant for lunch and we had friends over for dinner. Sunday we went to Bedford In. for a Ham Radio Festival. My husband recently got his Ham Radio license. I was so proud of him. Besides radio stuff, they had many other odds and ends. I bought some homemade natural honey.
Yesterday I did some cleaning. I've got a list of things I need to do before our Autumn party. I'm spreading the tasks out so that they don't interfere with my everyday work. I washed windows, widow seals, and curtains. Also I dusted walls and ceilings. Those swiffer brooms are good for that task.
Today is the day for my brother & sister-in-law. Starting today, if she goes into labor they are going to allow her to have the baby. Her due date is Nov. 1st, but they've had to stop her labor 2 or 3 times in the last couple of months. There are 23 days between now and her due date. What do you say we make this interesting. Sort of like a pool. No money wagered, but just for fun. What day do you think my sister-in-law will go into labor? Keep in mind that she's having a girl and shes been carrying low every since last Sunday. Leave your guess in comments.

Catching Up

photo from flickr

Now that my "The Desire Of My Heart" series is over, I have a lot of catching up to do. I finally made it all the way through my blogroll today and visited each of my favorite blogs.
I am so looking forward to fall. Today its hot...and its very discouraging. The leaves are falling, but its because its been so dry. The trees aren't turning pretty colors, just a dead brown color. I've put up all my fall decorations, which are few. So, I am urging fall to come. The baking bug is slowly creeping up on me. I stocked up on some baking supplies that were on sale this weekend. Pecans are expensive, even when there on sale.
The baby is almost here. She'll be 36 weeks next week. They've had to stop labor twice, so the next time it starts up they are going to let her deliver. Of course it would be great if she made it to her due date, but at least now everything will be ok. I'm excited!
Hubby and I are planning an Autumn party for friends and family. Hayride, chili, hot chocolate, and games. He loves to have company and I love to plan.
Whats your favorite thing about autumn?

Sandwiches

Let me tell you what.....its been hotter than all get out around here!

thats how we talk here.

Seriously, it has been terribly hot. Our lawn is brown, the dirt is sandy, and its even been too hot for our desert tortious. I have to water my flowers everyday, which may sound normal, but it isn't normal here. My oven hasn't been on for almost two weeks, and believe me I should've stopped using it way before that. One day my husband came in, drenched to the bone with swet, and asked for a "cold dinner". You have to know that I paniced. I had no idea what that ment. We ended up going out. The next shopping trip I was determined to buy things that did not require turning on the stove. I bought all the different kinds of lunch meat. Bread was on sale. Yes.... I bought bread. My flour has been in the freezer for reasons I'll discuss another time, and you can't expect yeast to do its thing in cold flour. Now that you've gotten over the shock of boughten' bread, Prepare yourself for the big one...... FROZEN DINNERS! There I said it. All I'm going to say is, theres a reason God invented microwave ovens and thats what you put in them.

Well, I've been side tracked at this momment. My mother just called and said my sister-in-law is in the hospital with contractions and bleeding. If you'll scroll down to the bottom of my blog you'll see on the ticker that she still has more than two months to go. Please pray for her, the baby, and my family. Of course the best thing would be that it all stops and she can hold her in for the rest of her time and everyone is alright. The worst case scenerio is that she looses the baby. Honestly, I'm not sure any of us could handle that.

I think I'm done blogging today.

Update: Everybody survived the excitement. The contractions and bleeding have stopped. Hopefully, everything is back to normal and on schedule. According to the monitors the baby wasn't in any danger. Thanks for your prayers!

Now back to our regularly scheduled programing.....