Elijah And His Identity Crisis/ Newborn Screening

Do I really have to explain what is going on here? I mean, really, isn’t this the cutest thing? This is clearly a man having an identity crisis. Elijah will put on Lydia’s hat, steal her pacifiers, her blankies and sit in her chair and watch his movie. Priceless.

My little man is very much in love with his little stister. He loves holding her, changing her clothes, pulling her socks off, and reminding us all where her eyes, ears, mouth and nose are…over and over and…

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On a side note, have you ever read the fine print on the PKU testing pamphlet? The part where it says the state banks our children’s blood samples and info for 21 years without our consent? I noticed this after I had Elijah tested and I called Olympia, as the pamphlet stated, and requested my children's samples be destroyed. It isn’t as easy as they make it sound. To make a long story short, they gave me a bad time about the request and said I needed to fax them copies of all my children’s birth certificates. They never would answer me WHY they feel they need to keep the info, at least an answer that made sense. I would have had to pay dearly to obtain copies so I hung up and wrote them a nice complaint letter and they patted me on the head in return and won.

This time I refused Lydia’s testing. I signed the form and emailed the Newborn Screening Dept and reminded them why I  did this and asked them again to please consider changing their policies and make it easier for parents to request incineration of the blood and info. A lady immediately emailed me back and apologized for the hassle I was given. She, wanting to see my baby tested, said all I needed to fax her was a copy of my drivers license to prove identity and she will personally see to it each of our children’s samples are incinerated and I am sent proof. I am not a conspiracy theorist, I just simply believe in parental rights and I feel strongly that the state has no business banking our children's blood samples for 21 years, without consent, not providing a reason why and keeping it very quiet that they do this. I That was my victory for the day. ;)

Sunday

Nothing better than waking this morning and being able to feed my baby, she has been none too happy with me for the last day and a half. She came out very hungry. This morning I was wiping milk off her little mouth and she was absolutely one happy baby.

It does a mamma’s heart good to get that milk in ;)

Introducing…

A baby with a name! After many discussions and votes, Daddy’s pick for a name wins.

Meet Lydia Joy

 

Both my babies in my lap, and yes, today when Elijah woke up we both ran for the rocking chair and enjoyed a long, loooong rock-rock together rejoicing over reclaiming my lap.  

My baby girl..

She loves her thumb and has been in love for quite some time judging by how quickly it goes in. My easiest/quickest labor in recent memory, 4.5 hours of actual labor. She is all pink now, even her toes ;), she is an excellent nurser, ABsoLUTEy adorable, good amount of blond/light brown hair and we can't...put...her down.

Name is being discussed.

more pictures

Here she is!!!

It`s a Girl!!!!!!!!!

This is Jessica posting for my mom.

She doesn't have a name yet. She was born at 1:58 and weighed 8.13. More details to come!!

11am

3-4 min 40 sec long and just hanging out.

Work'n on a baby..

Last night I was awoken to several contractions, then this morning they have been irregular, but there, 2-10min apart. They seem to be increasing in strength, but taking their own sweet time. O.k., there was one and they are definitely increasing in strength ;) I am going to be optimistic and start a batch of cheese. The children are bouncing off the walls and preparing everything for me. It is so fun!

Wednesday

1. I got aaaaall the way into Bellingham for my midwife appointment when my phone rang and she cancelled the appointment because she had to go to a delivery.

2. Our second best goat, Chloe, dropped dead on the ground early this morning.

3. The Sheriff is on his way out to interview the children and me about Monday.

But look! The sun is out!(don’t start Marie) I decided I am taking the children to hear a live band at the Library tonight and eat free ice cream. I am going to ignore this rotten week, it doesn’t exist, it doesn’t exist…

Feeling Better

An officer called me back today and we had a great talk. He was so sincere and concerned. He said it was no excuse yesterday, our family should have had a visit and our children reaffirmed they’d try to do everything in their power to help make them safe…but, it was *one of those days*. Robberies, a knifing, domestic violence all suddenly happening in-between 1pm and 5pm, our incident happened at 1:40pm. As he put it, it seemed like the whole county went nuts all at once, lol! There were not enough deputies to cover it all. He said since our children were safe it was not at the top of their priorities. I know the WCSD is understaffed as it is so I really do take that to heart.

He was going to review what happened and get the ball rolling on what can be done. Another officer is going to be involved to see if they can *connect any dots* with other lures, he took the full description of the vehicle from us and he is also going to look into the border cameras to see if any footage was recorded. Much, much better. I think I’ll sleep tonight.  

What a beautiful day…

to have a baby. I’ve been talking to her this morning that it would not make mamma happier than to have a baby on the first day of summer. I drank my tea, I took my herbs and here I sit. Daniel is rather bothered by it and thinks I should be able to will it to happen, lol. Sorry children, according to my last two babies we still have 8 days left. The only difference being the herbs I’ve taken.

I sat up most the night with my mind running wild with scenarios of what could have happened yesterday. I hate the nighttime. Yesterday I just tried to be level headed and not fear. I rest knowing the Lord knows exactly where he is right now and His eyes will never leave him. I am worried for other’s children. It’s made me dust off ole red and make it a little more accessible. Locked up, unloaded and hidden really defeats the purpose of a gun, not that yesterday was any type of scenario to use it, it wasn’t.

I called the Sheriff’s office back and left a message with a lieutenant this morning, I want more answers of standard procedure in cases like this. A friend’s husband also pointed out we have a border camera watching our road, it can read license plates from well over a miles away. I need to exhaust the small choice of pursuits I have, but at the same time I am thankful for this incident allowed by the hand of the Lord to bring glory to Himself and cause me to trust in Him more and be thankful for His constant eye on our children.

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.” Ps 5:11

Not a good day..

For those of you who are wondering, yes, I will post when I go into labor, because…well, I will be home and what else do you do while you wait?  ;)

Second, I’m am walking around in a fog. Some guy pulled up today and tried to coax Emma into his car and “take her for a ride”. He offered her money. I guess there was  a conversation and he really tried to get her into the car. Thankfully Jacob was right there, stepped in-between them and took charge, finally telling the guy to leave. The kids are selling at the end of our open driveway where I can watch them well, but the car pulled purposefully behind a tree beyond the driveway. 

Daniel ran in the house to tell me and I called 911 and reported it. 40 minutes later(yes, 40) I got a call back from a sheriff. He took no detailed description of the guy or the car. He wanted a license plate number, which the children didn’t get<sigh>, and without that he seemed to just not care at all. He said he’d cruise the area tonight sometime on his shift. That is what bothers me the most. He had no care or compassion in his voice and told me when you live in a rural area, you need to expect stuff like that. Really? I’m calling back tomorrow and ask more questions of the Sheriffs procedure of things like this, I am very, very disappointed.

Meanwhile we are praising the Lord for His lessons taught, His perfect protection. I just can not thank Him enough right now.

Due date!

 

This morning I came downstairs to find two large, overstuffed garbage bags filled with clothing, toys and toothbrushes sitting at the front door. As children galloped down the stairs everyone announced day it was. The day we’ve all been anticipating for months!  I found the two young culprits who packed their *bags* and we are going to have to re-pack.

I finally found my bassinet and after quite the struggle, put it together. Elijah, however, has claimed it as his own…as he has the swing, the carseat, her crib, etc. This is not going to be pretty.

Paul is still working 70-80 hours weeks with a mid-July end in sight. I….can’t….wait. It was my goal not to complain once going into this and so far, the Lord has sent off warning whistles on several occasions and thanks be to Him, I can say I have not complained yet. I only say yet, because I still don’t trust myself! Now he’ll read this and say I’m complaining, good grief, lol.

The boys rose early this morning and went with Mr. W to help some church friends butcher their first ever set of broilers. 

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Wanna good quick read by R.C.Sproul Jr? Check out his latest blog post Ten Ways Not To Look At Children.

I miss my snugglebug

The view from up here. I don’t know what’s up with the gremlin ear like shadow on the floor, lol…really, my ears haven’t grown that much.

I love what the ticker says this week “our little girl is launch ready” LOL, too cute. I went to the midwife today and nothing much to report..50% effaced. I’ve really, really been missing holding Elijah on my lap…that’s hard on a mamma. He is such a mamma’s boy anyhow and we snuggle a lot.

 

I can’t wait to see him that first time after the baby is born. I am going to grab him and run for that rocking chair. ;)

Baby has descended more since last week. I assembled the bassinette today, went to Cash N Carry and stocked the cupboards and will wait. I will wait patiently. I will. He’s my Rock, my Fortress and Deliverer, in Him will I trust.

Beautiful Lords Day..

Beautiful sunshiny day, wonderful church family picnic, EVERY one of them a treasure, praising the Lord for his goodness and graciousness to all of us, and as Daniel put it, I can count down the days until Mom’s due date on ONE hand. Simply grand.

“…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2,3

Left Behind

That’s how I feel. I had a cluster of friends that were due with babies from April to June, eight in fact, and as of this morning I’m the last one waiting. Sheesh. Oh well, I’m the one sleeping at night and savoring every minute of it right now. Baby has descended a bit in the last day and it has made for a slower walk, some twinges and a little more knitting on the couch throughout the day. 9 days till due date, single digits!

Jessie just made her first batch of cinnamon rolls tonight as a treat for Daddy after his long day at work. They were aMAZing, anything I have ever made in 17.75 yrs of marriage can’t even come close to what she concocted tonight, my pride is a bit damaged to say the least.

TTFN

How can one...

…be miserable with the flu, when you have kittens crashed in your lap?

Gotta love creative kids…

That was a hoot yesterday and the best part?

I learned SO much!

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Kittens on the porch enjoying the sunshine for the first time, instead of the hay mow.

Sanity?

Homeschool today? Check. Library books on counter? Check. Fresh cow heart via Captain Berg the escape cow? Check. Cow tongue? Check. Cow tail? Check. Dissection videos? Check. Fresh wild rabbit in crockpot? Check. A grossed out mommy? Check. 6 knife wielding children? Check. Sanity?......I asked sanity anyone?

His First Rabbit

We were in the barn playing with Danny’s new sheep when I saw a rabbit sweetly hopping across the serene pasture. Thinking it was cute, I told Paul. He seemed rather excited and I was happy to see his new found appreciation for nature. ;) Then he left. Not two minutes later and my husband called to Daniel to come over and handed him his .22 that he got from the gun cabinet. Daniel has a old bolt action .22 he was given from a gentleman at church and has never made a kill with it yet. Giddy with excitement, Daniel slowly crept up to about 20 yards of it, sighted it in and shot. Missed. He shot again….and missed. He shot AGAIN…and missed…by this point the rabbit deserved to die, he never flinched. Daddy told Daniel to take a deep breath, sight him in and slowly and purposefully pull the trigger. He shot! Straight through the heart and it dropped dead! He is outside skinning and dressing it as I type and I am pulling the crockpot out to cook it in the morning. One happy boy!

Photos taken on Paul’s i-thingy, that’s why they’re grainy.

Move over Old MacDonald…

Paul came home with 2 – 2m old meat sheep in the back of his truck tonight. One cream and white and one black and silver. Daniel was ecstatic, his dream come true! They are Shetland sheep which are a small hair sheep, but they are our experiment so they will do just fine. I quickly turned them from rams to wethers…I think. They are the cutest little things, but make the most horrid noise, nothing like a baa-baa. That was my biggest surprise. They stick their tongues out and yell blaaaah! at you.

I am hoping…maybe, just maybe…before they go in the freezer this fall I will make a hat out of one of them…or both. That would be SO fun.