the brew*crew adventure

until last night.

Last week I taught baby S to throw her own diapers away. She was on board, thought it was great fun! I bragged to Chris, "See her doing her first 'chore'! She's such a big girl!" as she marched from our bedroom, down the hallway and into the kitchen with her diaper in hand, excited to "throw away the diaper"... Then, last night, N caught her red-handed. She had lifted the lid on the trash can (hey, I didn't teach her that part... not on purpose anyways, but apparently she was watching) and was about to throw the tv remote control away! LOL Yeah, so, not so cute anymore... Do you think she's trying to tell us something (besides check the trash before we take it out?)?

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...in which I shall parallel post with Birdie, who does so often seem to exist in a universe parallel to my own...

This time, Birdie wrote a wonderfully insightful, honest post here about momma/baby-induced and spiritual sleepwalking. It's deceptively short, encompassing so very much more than is apparent at first glance, so much of what I myself have been going through, but at a loss of words for... I guess that I can just relate to her post there on so many levels right now that I thought I ought to go ahead and post about it too, sleepwalking that is. Birdie, you've inspired me with words, which I've been so short of lately, hope that you don't mind my hi-jacking your thoughts and running with them?

...sleepwalking, naturally momma.

First, on being up throughout the night with Baby S... and feeling like I'm sleepwalking through many of my days. There was a short time, when she was a few months old, and still sleeping in her co-sleeper beside my bed, rather than in our bed, as she does now, that she'd started actually sleeping through the night, or most of it anyways, only waking up once or twice. I do still usually put her down in her co-sleeper to start out the night, but now that she can, as soon as she stirs enough to notice I'm not beside her (usually within an hour or two) she crawls right over to me and snuggles so sweetly down beside me. It's become a habit that I adore, and one that Chris and I have decided is in her best interest to continue to allow (as well as our own>>sleep).

When I asked Chris if he thought that I should try and transition her to sleeping in her crib, now that she's almost one, he said no, that she still feels like too much a part of me. I'd have to agree with him, in that it would probably be too traumatic at this point, for all involved... I just wanted to give Chris plenty of room to let me know if he wanted me to change our sleeping arrangements. It helps that we have a king-sized bed too... couldn't do this in a double, or even a queen (for us).

I do, however, sometimes refer to it jokingly as "the dark side of attachment parenting"... as she often sleeps literally... attached to me. *snicker* This is where the pacifiers came in handy with my other two babies. Though I enjoy it too sometimes, it's not always the most comfortable arrangement for me. The bright side though, for us, is lots of cherished moments of closeness that could be had no other way which are undoubtedly laying a forever foundation of lovingly woven soul ties. There's also the fact that she'll be one year old next month and I still haven't had my monthly return yet. It's been almost two years now since I've had to deal with it! Gotta love that.

Yeah, sometimes co-sleeping (or not) can wear a Momma out... However, I prefer it the way it is now, for the most part. And now that she's napping on our bed well, alone, every afternoon, the world is brighter, I'm having more time to do other stuff... feel like I'm awake way more often! She still doesn't sleep much though, during the days, for a baby! I guess it's all that good sleep she's getting next to me each night. Heh!

Like Birdie, I too enjoy my night-time hours with the baby and the Lord, alone. It was the same way with N and T, and I've mused over this idea that the Lord gave this time of solitude to us Mothers, especially designed it even, as a window of opportunity to pray for their souls as we nourish their bodies and emotions through the dark of night. I really don’t mind that baby S usually wakes me every couple of hours for a suckle before sighing off back to sleep beside me… I actually will often even relish it, and find myself whispering lucid prayers that vanish with the morning light. But that's just me.

The thing is though, that except when she's having a particularly restless night due to teething, regardless of the fact that I've been woken by her numerous times in the night, I find that I now sleep very well with her beside me and am actually more well rested than I was with N and T when I was getting up and going to fetch them out of their cribs to tend to them, and standing over their cribs for loooooong minutes on end trying to console them back to sleep... or laying in my bed, listening to them cry for me in the next room. I think that made for many more days of sleepwalking than does co-sleeping with baby S.

And, as is the way of things... the natural realm is so often paralleled by the spiritual... sleepwalking, naturally momma.

Like Birdie, I too have recently felt like I’m coming out of a sleepwalking sort of fog, not only physically, but spiritually as well. I tend to get so caught up with tending to everything around me that I find I've neglected that which is most important, just sitting at my Master's feet, and making a point to guard that time, not only for myself, but for my family's sake too.

I think that this sort of spiritual atrophy happens naturally if we're not proactively working against it, and is thus a condition we as Believers must be on guard against, lest we be lulled into dull slumber for much of our spiritual lives. I do believe that it can come from lots of things, familiarity (how many of us have found ourselves sleepwalking - on autopilot- in our relationship with our spouse), boredom, long wilderness experiences (read- extended periods of waiting), unbelief, complacency, lack of teaching, vision, unconfessed sin, and the list goes on...

In the last couple of weeks (maybe longer?) I too have felt an awakening deep within. I'm not sure if it's a re-awakening, or something new - a deeper part- waking for the first time. I do know that I have found such solace and renewing strength from the Spirit as I’ve entered into His gates with praise and thanksgiving. In the last couple of days, as I mentioned in my prior post, one particular cd has been played over and over at my house, and particularly "Open the Gates", and "Awake!" as well as the title song on that cd just resonate within me right now.

I've found that when the Lord moves me so strongly through one or two songs in particular like this, there's good reason, and I'm learning to tune into the fact that spiritual battle is being waged. Time to wake up, hunker down, that I may stand.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

There was one year I'll never forget, a very hard year on many fronts, that I listened to one cd, over and over, receiving my very life-source from the Spirit, His Ruach HaKodesh, through worshiping Him during those hours. She's still one of my favorite voices. My kids remember going to sleep in my bed, by her music.

The Lord has been wooing me to get BACK into the habit of daily Bible reading/journal time with Him, and memorization of Scripture with the kids… I have felt such a soulish hunger, a spiritual thirst.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Truly, it takes a proactive effort to get up, once one wakes up, rather than to just lay there in a groggy stupor. I am glad to be awake, and I am listening to the songs of praise that the morning birds sing to my soul, songs of promise and new life. I must only stop... be still. and sit. down. at the table that He - My CREATOR- the GOD of the Universe has already prepared for me and partake of Him, Living Bread, the Manna from heaven that I do need a fresh supply of daily. How much have I missed already for hurrying past Him, as He waits for me?

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Technorati Tags: attachment parenting, co-sleeping, motherhood, sleepwalking, spiritual awakening, spiritual sleepwalking

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Baby S is growing by leaps and bounds, staying busy and keeping us all laughing out loud, a lot! We are all enjoying musing over her inquisitiveness, loving ways, and sweet temperament. I am truly doing my best to cherish every single moment, so thankful for this blessing of her. I can hardly believe that she'll be a year old next month!

Some of her latest accomplishments are:

1. Walking backwards until she speeds up too much and falls ker-plump on her rear, which she's noticed that we think is absolutely hilarious, and so she laughs while she does this now.
2. Blowing kisses, only she does it with the back of her hand.
3. Dancing (fancy footwork- stamping up and down - like marching in place really fast, or bouncing at the knees) anytime she hears music that she likes, or when we chant, "dance, dance-dance-dance... dance!" to her. Chris started that. She'll also throw her arms up a lot.
4. Giving hugs and lots of kisses.
5. Turning the light on and off.
6. Sometimes she'll get goofy and try to make me laugh, while she's nursing. It usually works, and we'll end up both laughing out loud...often followed by her going to sleep with contented sighs.
7. When she wakes up from napping on my bed, she'll get herself down off the bed and just come walking down the hallway.
8. She opens doors now, even turns the doorknobs herself... um, yikes. At least after stubbing her toe, she's figured out to stand out away from the door as she pulls it open. She's a smart cookie.
9. Saying "hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhi" (long on the h and very whispery) and "bye-bye" as she waves, and most recently "baby" as hugs and kisses her babies (her favorite being her new Raggedy-Ann doll from Aunt Alicia). She LOVES her babies.
10. Mimicking us, whether it be trying to say what we say, sing a song with finger plays, holding her breath and putting her head in the pool water, face-down (like sissy) or trying her best to figure out how sissy is doing cartwheels (she runs and throws her arms up and then flops herself down on the floor... it's hilarious!).
11. Making big(ger) messes as she strews stuff all over the house.
12. Running. Oh yeah, she runs now, fast too... right behind her bubby and sissy, trying so hard to keep up, already... or playing "catch me if you can!", squealing all the way.

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She loves biting into stuff with her four new teeth now, two on top and two on bottom, perfect for munching strawberries and crunching cheerios (which she picks up with her wee little fingers and bites in half to eat). Who knew eating could be so much fun?!

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Last week baby S, at 9 months and 3 days of age, took her first THREE unassisted steps, with only a little prompting from Dad to "come here", as he kneeled down in front of her. It was so exciting, and I surprised myself with a squeal! Oh, our baby can't be walking already?! Yes, we've certainly suspected  that she'd definitely be our earliest walker, with the way she walks all around the house behind her push-along walker toy, and has been pulling herself up to standing alone before she even started crawling (gleefully clapping her hands for herself, knowing exactly what she's doing), and walking all around the coffee table and dining room chairs holding on.

And all last week she practiced... Now she's taking 10+ steps from here to there regularly, and lots of crawling on her feet, with her rump up in the air. It's too funny. She's stood herself straight up from the floor and walked somewhere a few times, but is still preferring the security and speed of crawling over walking for the most part... but she IS now walking around here regularly too! She's into absolutely everything!!

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–adjective

excited; disturbed.

This was "Ma-maaaa-ma?! Enough already, I want outta here!"

Yep, that's what she said, I just know it.

Moody Monday Photo Challenge

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...in which I will actually write a real post! Or attempt to anyways...

Blogging, oh yeah, that's where I have some time to myself, or not, (without a napping/nursing baby in my arms) wherein I sit, reflect and write out my thoughts (because both of my hands are free, or not) in some semblance of a coherent fashion (because I can, I really, really can. still... right? maybe? ...or not). Time to myself... heh, what is that?

So, where have I been lately, since I certainly haven't blogged much? Okay, let me just say that our precious little 9 month old baby girl is a handful, that rarely ever sleeps during daylight hours. Seriously! Now this makes for wonderfully restful nights full of quiet slumber, for the most part anyways, besides a few nights these last few weeks that is, as she's been cutting in her first four teeth all at once, and has therefore been particularly restless and fussy. Okay, see here, even now, here I am now trying to ignore the crying baby who was a minute ago playing peacefully under the table beside me, but is now bouncing up and down, desperately, as she clings to my knee, whimpering pitifully for me to pick her up... having noticed me attending to something else besides her, just so I can finish this sentence! LOL **

... Okay, now she's nursing peacefully... where was I? Oh yeah, determinedly trying to whip out a coherent post in the few moments of free time I had a minute ago. Yeah, right! *smirking sighs* But now I've digressed and it's turned into a lame post about trying to post. Case in point. As I'm feeling a bit distracted again, and wondering where all of those thoughtful, clever ideas I'd been ruminating over as I baked some biscuits earlier went to, now that I'm actually sitting here at my keyboard, I'm reminded of why little writing has been happening around lately on my part. Oh, and did I mention that our little baby S is a night owl like Chris and I, and matches our routine almost exactly, staying up with us until about 10:30-11 pm just about each and every night, so scratch the evening quiet time to think, alone, and blog, etc... and if I do manage to get her to sleep earlier... well then, lets just say that I have found other things more engaging than blogging lately, like maybe spending some one on one time with N, T or Chris.

Okay, as I was saying, she doesn't sleep much during the day... And OH! how I was looking forward to her easing into that rhythm of taking those long morning and afternoon naps that N and T used to take when they were babes. Now I think that I've accepted that it's just not gonna happen! Nope, not with this one, not unless she's snoozing in her carseat as we run errands. She'll usually only nap for 20-30 minutes in the morning and then again at some point in the afternoon, and maybe again in the evening (IF I'm lucky and Chris is around to snuggle her to sleep awhile). It's crazy though, she's just so different that way than our first two were!

And she's happy enough, it's not like she's miserable tired all the time, needing more sleep. Quite the contrary, she's energized and good to go after one of her what we've taken to calling "kitten naps". I remember when N was a baby, I had a friend who'd had a baby a week after I'd had him, and she'd comment to me of how nice it must be that N slept like he did, as her baby wouldn't nap- hardly ever. I was certain that she must surly be doing something wrong... ALL babies sleep. A lot. Day AND night. Right? heh. Now I know better... heh. Funny... yeah.

And when I'm not directly occupied with her, I've been busy tending to my other children, the house, or now, the gardens (at which time baby S is content enough to sit in her stroller in the shade of the apple tree and watch us- thankfully- she LOOVES being outside)... and alongside these most important things, I'm also ever hopefully looking for those moments of opportunity to steal away with the Lords of my heart, Chris, Jesus and my books. heh! I've also been readily accepting as many invitations to go to the park or a friends' house as I can, enjoying the lovely outdoors and respite from the cabin fever that was just beginning to creep and settle in my mind. So, as you can see, it's not that I ever intended to take such a long blogging sabbatical, it's just that tending to this bit of virtual space I call my own has been inadvertently trumped, day after day, regardless of my best intentions to write more. I have found however that I can readily upload and post pictures one-handed (as lately, any computer time I've had is made by way of multitasking as I'm nursing the girl). I know, I know, I sure have taken the whole "blogging without obligation" thing to heart, haven't I? Good thing too! LOL

Baby S's wakefulness has been especially demanding of me lately, as she's been teething and SO clingy all the time. I don't mind so much (usually), except that I am having a hard time completing other projects (though my veggie garden is all planted! Stay tuned for pics and post upcoming.), and was a bit frustrated at my recently missing out on going to a CM Mom's meeting at a local restaurant that I was really looking forward to attending, and had finally planned for, but because the girl was needing to comfort nurse ALL DAY long as those teeth were just coming through, all four at once, and her poor little gums were so swollen, I just knew that if I left her with Daddy, she'd probably see to it that he'd never let me leave her again! LOL Seriously though, she's never taken a pacifier, nor a bottle (yeah, we tried numerous times), and so only I can console her sometimes. That can make it a bit rough sometimes (read; NO breaks for Mama this year! hehehe), and I'm so thankful for the times that Chris takes her and snuggles her to napping. She does know how to drink out of a sippy cup now though, but only when she's in a good mood.

I know now first-hand, from seeing my first two growing up so quickly before my eyes, that this time is oh, so fleeting and so I'm truly savoring and enjoying just about every moment of it all, otherwise annoying inconveniences included, except for those other moments which - when I've felt so totally overwhelmed and inadequate when it comes to my being able to educate N and T lately (fortunately, they're able to do a lot on their own right now), or to even wrap my mind around planning for our studies next year... and then some huge spill in the fridge requires a complete cleaning of the fridge, WHILE I'm in the middle of making dinner and baby S is following me around on all fours, impatiently fussing "Maaa-ma- ma- ma" for me to pick her up (it is just SO cute, makes me smile even in the midst of it all), or some other unexpected accident/momentary catastrophe, or wishes and worries for my stressed out from work, or lack thereof, etc. husband, or felt lack of sufficient time to accomplish all that needs to be done everyday - sends me momentarily over the edge into snapping or even yelling at one of my bigger, unsuspecting (and certainly undeserving) kiddoes (which really upsets them- and me, because thankfully, I'm not one to do that too often). Yes, I've found myself dishing out more than my share of apologies and healing hugs these last few weeks. And I'm sure there will be plenty of time for planning studies, and numerous other CM meetings to attend, and plenty of days ahead to facilitate all that I have in mind to share and do yet with N and T. I am so thankful for this precious little girl that my arms ached so long for, that we all prayed for years for, although lately I have found particular solace in the simple words that I have printed on a sheet in the front sleeve of my AO/homeschool planning binder.

I spent years complaining about all the interruptions that occurred, keeping me from my work. Then one day I realized the interruptions WERE my work.

Poignant, no? And on that note I shall close. I sure don't remember N, nor T, keeping me quite this busy... good thing I have them to help out, and they DO help out! How I do love my work, and motherhood certainly is that>> work. It's been something going from having two older, somewhat independent kids to having a baby around again. Fun, fun for all! And just think, we may be blessed with another in the mix one day soon... I sure wouldn't mind! You never know...

Coherent or not, it certainly was cathartic to sit here and write a bit... I really do miss blogging and look forward to writing more, and I love this season in my life, being a busy Mommy and all it entails... In due season, blogging will happen, right? *smiles* I really do believe that I'd probably feel a bit less frazzled if I'd take the time each day more often to just post a little post at least, for me, and for you.I've so much to write about and my wee brain is just brimming with all that I'd like to share, because albeit babyfied, life around here sure has sure been bright, busy, bountiful and altogether most bloggable!

**Next day Update (yes, one-handed-while-nursing)**

Whadayaknow?! The girl did so good today. After falling asleep nursing in my arms, I was able to lay her down in her CRIB, and she slept for 40 minutes!! 40 MINUTES ladies and gentlemen! That's a record- for in her crib, which now that she's so mobile is the safest place for me to leave her sleeping. She crawls right out of her co-sleeper now, onto our bed, and would tumble right off if I weren't there as soon as she called for me (which thankfully she does), but now I'm wanting her to get used to napping in her crib... and today, SUCCESS! I was able to take a nice, long shower. Niiiiiice.

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We fed baby S her first bites of cereal a few weeks ago, a few days before she turned six months old. She was certainly ready, and loved it! Up until this week she's only been eating cereal once a day, but I've just now started feeding her solids in the mornings as well as in the evenings sometimes too... so far she's tried pureed plums, bananas, peaches and even a bit of oat cereal, but mostly just rice cereal.

Home-made Organic Brown Rice Baby Cereal

• To make her baby cereal, I've just been putting organic short grain brown rice (which we order in bulk from here, much cheaper than HFS) through my Wonder Mill, and it comes out very finely ground, basicly as rice flour (which I keep in the freezer).
• Then I pour about 4 oz. (I was only using 2-3 oz. a month ago- she's eating more now) of either expressed mama's milk or baby apple juice into a little pot and then add a heaping Tbsp. of the milled rice flour.
• It starts out very thin, but as the liquid heats up, it thickens very quickly, and in moments I have a perfect little serving of fresh, healthy baby cereal.

Baby S enjoys sitting in her highchair chewing on wet wash rags immensely as well. Oh, and these teething feeder contraptions are ingenius (another one of the wonderful baby inventions that weren't around or I just didn't know about with N and T)! I just pop in a piece of banana or frozen peaches, and there's no chance of her choking on it. She thinks it's great, messy, tasty fun!

I did try out a recipe for teething biscuits the other day, but found that it crumbled a bit too big and she gagged on a piece, which scared me a bit. So, I froze them for later. I figure in another month or so she'll be able to handle them just fine. I altered a recipe that I found here.

Baby's Wholewheat & Rice Flour Banana Breadsticks

• 1/2 cup oil (I used 1/4 c. flax seed oil and 1/4 c. vegetable oil)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (took 2 medium sized bananas)
• 1 and 3/4 cups flour (I used 1 c. ww and 3/4 c. rice flour)
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda

Combine ingredients and stir only until smooth. Pour into a greased loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for about 1 hour or until firmly set.

Cool, remove from pan, and cut into sticks. Spread sticks out on a cookie sheet and bake at 150 degrees F for 1 hour or longer until the sticks are hard and crunchy. (according to original recipe) **My oven's lowest temp. is 175 degrees F, and it took a few hours of baking for them to get crunch hard at all.** Store in a tightly covered container, freezes well.

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I never thought much about it really... When I had our first baby, twelve years ago now (!?) I certainly had never heard of the term "attachment parenting". It wasn't until recently, in the last few years actually (color me naive I guess) that I even gave it much thought, and yet I've learned in the last few years that that is and has been my parenting style, which I've come by quite naturally and instinctively, and have grown more accustomed to and comfortable in with each of our babies.

In the last few years, I've also learned about parenting styles totally appalling to me, such as those taught by the Pearls and the Ezzos, and have found myself so thankful that I didn't fall in with any of these teachings, and likewise, concerned for parents with their childrens' best interests in mind who may be caught unawares by the extremity of such teachings. I've wondered how much my own parenting style would have been influenced, as a young, new mom, had I been surrounded by proponents of such methods? Lately I've been giving it even more thought as its come to my attention that someone at our church is hosting a "Growing Kids God's Way" class, which I even thought about crashing! Naaah, I wouldn't really... hah!

With baby S, our now 6 month old miracle baby, I have found myself so blessed by the intimate times I've had nursing her at our own leisurely pace, unhurried, snuggling in our bed with her and falling asleep to the sounds of her contented sighs. I've been so thankful for the Arm's Reach co-sleeper that a friend gave me, and the convenience of being able to place her in it or pick her up without even moving from my spot in our bed (though she ends up snuggled in our own bed, beside me, half the time). There's nothing like being woken up by a sweet little one groping at your face with trusting, pudgy little hands. It's so nice to not have to get up at night with her, I think that we both are so much more rested for it.

This time around, I've also laughed to myself, thinking of how absurd and awkward (if not impossibly stressful) it would have been for me to try and follow a feeding schedule of my own making with her after her birth. I remember that I didn't get any sleep the first couple of days after she was born, because all she wanted to do was nurse and sleep at my breast. She never has taken a pacifier (I tried, but she'll have none of it) and since the hospital wouldn't allow her to sleep in my bed, I just laid there with her in a delirium. As soon as I'd put her down in her warmer and start to nod off, she'd be crying, looking for me...

She nursed every couple of hours for an hour at a time during those first few weeks. And even now, we've found that what works best for us, is for her to nurse every 2-3 hours still, on one side only, alternating sides, else she spits up everything she eats. Sometimes she'll nurse a bit more often, and sometimes she'll go longer without nursing, especially if we're out. She seems to adapt to our daily routines and outings very naturally. Usually she sleeps through the night pretty well. But these last couple of days, with her having her first cold and not feeling well, she's been doing a lot of comfort nursing... and I'm so thankful to have the confidence to go with that. But then, I've found that rigid routines and schedules really don't work in any part of our lives around here for that matter!

I've wondered over how very alert baby S is most of the day, and how intently she peers over the edge of her sling, sometimes curiously reaching out to touch what's around us as I go about my day, but usually content to just watch everything. I'm treasuring all of this time we have together, savoring every moment of her babyhood, so grateful to have her home with us, beside me more than not. I love that Chris feels the same way and enjoys wearing her himself, or snuggling up with her in our bed too. Our two older children cannot bear to hear her crying either, and would be absolutely horrified if I were to ever let our little baby "cry it out".

We've all found that ap parenting not only provides soul nourishment for our children, but for us as parents as well. And to this day, our 12yo son and 9yo daughter still prefer to go to sleep in our bed, and that is where Chris prefers to read their devotionals to them and tuck them in at. Then, after they're settled in with their own books for evening reading, and often times have fallen asleep, he'll walk them into their own beds for the night. It has been with regret that they've moved this tradition to their own bedrooms recently, on the evenings that I'm putting baby S down at the same time.

Anyways, this is what's worked for us! I do realize that the topic of parenting styles is innately controversial, and a totally personal matter too. I would not presume to know what's best for every family, but I did just want to share what's worked for us, and countless others, especially since it's been on my mind an awful lot lately. And I did want to take this opportunity to point out the potential downfalls and dangers of certain other methods (via the links).

It has been with timely interest that I've recently read this series of posts that Leslie linked to, the tale of one Mom's journey in understanding her own parenting style. This lady has shared of discovering God's plan for her and her own miracle baby, of learning to trust God, and herself as He showed her His Way for her, as a Mother. I spent a few evenings reading all six posts and the links within them as well, and found myself relating on numerous levels (namely identifying with the benefits of ap, nursing on demand, and even experiencing soul healing from nursing baby S). If you'd like to better understand some of the issues concerning the Ezzo's teaching versus attachment parenting, as well as witness one woman's journey from one side to the other, then do take the time to read these articles. I was certainly blessed in doing so, and thought to do my part in sharing them by linking them here.

• Here I raise my Ebenezer. #1
• Ebenezer 2.0
• The Ezz and I (Ebenezer 2.1)
• Ebenezer — A Threepeat
• Ebenezer 2004 — Our First Outing
• Another Ebenezer — Reading is Fundamental
• Ebenezer — A Second Chance
• Ebenezer 2006 — A Gavin is Born!
• Ebenezer Vista — The Big Outing
• Ebenezer — The Meeting
• Ebenezer — The Chapter

As a point of interest, here's a related post, concerning the implications of the Pearls unbalanced teachings on marriage, I wrote a couple of years ago: Created to be His Helpmeet & A True Story~ My little piece of iron

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I've so much to say, and have been wanting to blog for quite awhile now. It just seems like every time I've sat here at the mac, I've either got a baby eager to grab the keyboard in my lap (so end up reading only), am distracted and pulled away by either a cute baby's needing me, another child's wanting/needing this or that, or hubby's starting up a conversation because I'm sitting here without children all around, and he's been home a lot more than usual, due to the weather or just a lack of work (not good)... and of course, I love to listen and talk with Chris, so blogging's been trumped a lot lately... and no, I've not felt obligated to blog, but have truly had the itch, have even been composing some wonderfully engaging and thoughtful posts in the shower ... but alas, down the drain they did go before I could type them out. Hopefully I'll be able to retrieve them from my muddled mommy brain.

Let me see, to start with, a picture for you, of my sweet baby and I. This is one of her favorite places to be, riding along on my hip. Whenever she sees me put on my sling now, she gets all excited and it's just hilarious how she kicks and even laughs in delight. I wish that I'd known about these with N and T, since I still carried them around everywhere like this, but without the extra support.

More to come, so stay tuned...

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Our journey down picture book lane with old and new friends. Here's baby S reading to Bub, Bub reading to baby S, one of her favorites... see how she's grabbing at it? I kid you not when I tell you that she likes to turn the pages and study the pictures intently already! What fun we shall have introducing our baby girl to so many wonderful books. She loves to chew on good literature already, literally!

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