almost done

As I write this, it is Saturday morning.  Steel cut oats are simmering on the stove, the kids are watching a program, and I am pumping. Peter got up with Ella last night for a change and now they are still sleeping.  The past couple days have been a big change for me, yet, I think it's been a good change.

I took our two pumps. Peter had a talk with me Wednesday during the noon hour and asked me when I thought I would quit pumping. I said I still wasn't quite sure. He told me his frustrations and I realized it's time.  I need to honor his request. I asked him if he was praying about it and he shook his head no. Not that this is a big decision or anything, but it is helpful to feel like you are doing the right thing.... so praying about decisions is a good way to go with us, whether it is walking into a clothing store and praying that I would make the right financial decisions.  It works.

So the last 24 hours I have felt nudged to start weaning.  Weaning is something I've never had to do before. I've just 'run out' of milk, literally, with the other two. I don't think it will be that hard, but i am also letting go emotionally.  But I am ready! After 2 days of pumping 4 times a day, I have felt like I can accomplish more. Obviously, I have an hour more time from taking two pumps out. I am able to clean up the kitchen after meals- that is probably the most satisfactory. Instead of rushing through a meal and going to pump, I can take my time and put dishes in the dishwasher, wipe down countertops, and wash dishes. Just being able to get that done right away and not leaving it for 9pm or etc. has made a huge difference.  The longer I go between pumps, though, I lose oz. I usually always pump 3 oz, no matter if I go 4 hours, or 5 hours in between. If I go 3 hours, I pump 2 or so oz. I just need to be okay with formula and whole milk.

Tomorrow is Maddy's 4th birthday.  Wow.  Where does the time go ?  She's so old now. I can see it in

her face, and hear it in her speech. She's got her own personality and I am enjoying what best friends my two girls are getting to be. We did have her party already but I had some of her friends over yesterday and made cupcakes, pizza and she opened more gifts. It was so impromptu, but fun anyway. I also made an 8 inch cake to make for tomorrow.  I guess the Dairy Queen is opening up so we will have to take a drive :)   I plan to post all the photos from her birthday and Easter too... all in the same weekend.  It was such a great weekend!  I am very much looking forward to spring, too- yesterday I took my first 2 mile run outside and it felt great.  Cold, but great!  Until later...

almost there

Today my body has been very tired.  I always feel so bad  - this morning I woke up in a good mood and thought maybe I could play play play and be productive as well, but only a little bit of both happened. By 10:30 I put on a half hour of Max & Ruby and 15 more minutes of the kids sort of playing by themselves, I decided to get up and make lunch.  I napped during their cartoon.  I could hardly keep my eyes open. Then, the kids did take a nap and i layed on the couch for another 45 minutes before I got up to make oatmeal raisin cookies and do some of my bible studies. I then woke up the kids at 3:20 and allowed them ANOTHER cartoon and nearly fell asleep again. We got up and I set up some things for them to do ; coloring pages, lots of toys from maddy's birthday to keep them entertained. After many interruptions, I finally got supper going at 4:45 and tried to spend time with them. In between all this I cleaned the kitchen from lunch, did some dishes, washed two loads of laundry, etc.  I'm happy that I got to do a little bit of everything but I still feel I could have spent more time with the kids. I honestly feel that I will be less tired once the baby comes but this is most likely hopeful thinking.  Sleep at night is really non-restful, ever, and I'm longing for the day I can get a full nights sleep. It's been months and months, and will be months and months more!!

 Right now I am recovering from eating multiple cookies today and feeling the baby try to squish around what little room it has. I want to be done but at the same time I know it is busy at the farm and not sure I am ready to just be thrown into a new situation. It seemed with daycare it was a nightmare at first but once I got used to the routine with 6 kids it seemed normal.  Everything just took a little longer. But it's not even that particularly that is bothering me.  I am intimidated by the babies health. I am still scared that something could be wrong and I don't want that to overtake my experience.  Anyway, that is something that could be in your prayers if you remember.  I'm tired of being fearful!

Missing A Friend

So happy to have been able to spend some time with my good friend Melissa. We know eachother from church and I think it was because of MySpace and Facebook that we got to know eachother a little bit better.  I am so happy for Facebook so that we can stay in touch! Because our families are going to different churches now, we won't get to really see eachother anymore. I am hoping that we can still be able to meet up every once in a while when she's in town, or when we go to the cities.

It's sad for me because we both have a lot in common and it would be really fun to be able to get together and go for walks and just relate to one another. 

Here's some pictures of the little party we had in honor of her daughter, Ruby.