Smiles

I've got another smiler. You wait and wait and wait. You make weird noises. You scrunch your face up in ubsurd contortions. All in search of that one thing that will finally break your child's face out into a wide grin. For Anna it was the word zipper. For Abby it was also a word...goose. For Charlotte, it was a monkey call...ewe ee ewe who. You know the one. She's finally coming out to join the land of the living...breaking out of her baby blob shell. She's giving back to me and it honestly fills me and gives me such joy.

My Sister, Tammi

My sister is awesome. The last few Mondays she's been coming over to help me out before she has to go to work. She'll usually stay with the girls while I do grocery shopping, but she also helps with cleaning. Then when she gets off work she'll come over and eat dinner with us before she has to go to a class. Last night she didn't have her class and we ended up going and running a couple of errands together while Aaron (an angel) stayed home and bathed the babies and put them to bed. We had so much fun chatting and teasing each other; just being buddy-buddy. Her personality and mine are so very much alike and the last couple of years as she's gotten older (she's 17 now) we've really gotten to know each other better and sort of hold each other up. I just had to share about her. She's one in a million and I thank God for her.

Sharing A Room

We've finally done it. Abby and Anna are in one bedroom together. Anna is sleeping in the bottom bunk and Abby is in a crib that will convert into a toddler bed. Yesterday I tried putting them down for a nap together and Anna tried to kill Abby. I was nursing Charlotte and all of a sudden I heard a muffled scream from Abby. I ran in and Anna was on top of Abby, smashing her down into the mattress. Aaahhhh!!! My first though was, "This is so not going to work!" But, they were so tired from not napping that we plodded forth and put them down together for the night. They fell asleep soon after going to bed and stayed quiet until almost 8:00 this morning. YEAH!!! I cannot tell you how happy and free this makes me feel. This gives Charlotte her own space and she slept so much better last night. We're also able to have a little bit more of our own space back in the evening. We're not tip-toeing around the front room trying not to wake Charlotte. We can watch a little T.V. if we want and can even talk together without Charlotte trying to get her own two cents in. Let me tell you, this makes for one happy mama. :)

My Reproductive Rights

How many children is too many? Is there a number that you have in your head? And once you have that number do you automatically stop? Are you cancelling out a blessing that God has for you or for the world by saying I'm done? I don't know. I had my six-week check-up yesterday. My current OB/GYN has been pushing pamphlets at me about various kinds of birth control since before I gave birth to Charlotte. Personally, I don't feel that it's any of his business whether I have one child or twelve. If I were to ask him about birth control I would expect him to be informative and reliable in helping me to chose a proper method, but as that hasn't happened I expect him to respect my decision.

I believe that you're going to have as many children as God means for you to have despite whatever methods you yourself may use to get pregnant or to avoid a pregnancy. My mother was on birth control when both my sister and I were conceived, and was nursing when I was conceived. By all accounts I shouldn't have been born. I wasn't planned or expected just a year after my older sister was born. But, I believe that I like all of my girls was a blessing and have a divine purpose in this world.

Ultimately, my feelings are this: As a Christian I strive to give control of everything in my life to God. As I strive to "die daily" this is just one thing that I have had no trouble surrendering to Him. He is the giver of all life. Why should I not allow Him the ultimate say in it?

Six Weeks Old-There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

We've made the six week mark. Charlotte is so close to sleeping through the night I can taste it. Last night wasn't such a good night, but that's to be expected--the six week growth spurt is upon us. She's eating like crazy--nursing every two hours like clockwork with only two longer periods of sleep, but she is snoozing in between feedings, so I'm finding that I have gotten a remarkable amount done today.

With each of my girls I have waited until we hit the six week mark to begin exercising again and today was the same with this baby. So this morning the girls and I did some cardio exercise; which is more fun when you have to watch out for twirling and spinning small obstacles. This could make for some interesting workouts, but I'm committed to making certain that I at least do it three times a week and hopefully when Charlotte gets on more of a regular schedule, we'll move to five times a week.

On another note, my computer has died. Which has me using Aaron's computer. This more than any other thing is a motivation to Aaron to fix my computer. He's afraid I will kill his computer, too. :) I think it'll be okay. That's one great thing about being married to a techie; when you break stuff they'll fix it for you for free. I've also learned many things from him...a computer tower is not also known as a modem; a completely different thing. Another thing...I cannot break the internet and restarting your computer will solve a lot of problems.

Cinderella Needs a Blanket.

We had Cinderella on recently for Anna. During the scene where the wicked step-sisters rip Cinderella's dress, Anna commented, "Cinderella crying. Cinderella needs a blanket." Anna has a blanket that she sleeps with and has for comfort. It touches my heart when my children show sensitivity towards others feelings. Sometimes they're so busy getting what they want and shoving the other sister down, that I can't see it. It warms my spirit to know that they have gentle spirits already forming.

First Time Out With Everyone

Well...we did it. I had my MOPS(Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting today. I packed the diaper bags(all three) last night and loaded the car this morning. The meeting is three hours long. I dropped the girls off for their "classes" and Charlotte and I went to ours. She was sooo good. She just sat in her chair and looked all around, snoozed a bit and smiled occasionally. She didn't cry once...fussed only momentarily, but quieted down again when I fed her. I know that not all times we go out will be like this, but I'm thankful that our first time was. If it hadn't been, I probably would have holed up for another six weeks. I know I had some peoples praying for me and I know that made the difference today.

P.S. I must be feeling better...yesterday I made three loaves of bread and today I'm making my chicken soup. Huzzah!

"Gosh. Them's Gots a Lots of Babies!"

Aaron and I took all three girls out on a walk yesterday. It was just too beautiful of a day to stay inside. The easiest way for us to do this is to put the two older girls in our double stroller and Charlotte in the single stroller. Our "procession" was just coming off of our street when a little girl standing with her mama said, in the usual toddler loudness, "Gosh. Them's Gots a Lots of Babies!" Just a beautiful thing I had to share. I wonder what you would have said had you seen us coming your way?