Baby stuff

Butterfly gym time!

 A little smile

Back in the Saddle

Sort of. Not so long after my post Friday, I became very ill. By the time Austin made it home from work, I had fever, chills, headache, body ache and an upset stomach so bad that powerade went right through. And I had a 7 week old baby to care for. Yikes. Sound like the flu? YES, we did get the flu shot. I am not a fan of giving 7 different vaccines to a 2 month old at one time, but they do have their purpose. And I consider the flu vaccine necessary in a household with multiple germ breeders (aka small children). But somehow mine didn't work or maybe it was some other virus. Who knows. But my sweet, amazing husband spent the entire weekend caring for a very sick wife, 4 children, and a baby as much as possible. He.Was. Amazing. And just when we were all being stretched to the point of breaking, God stepped in. Austin dressed and fed 4 children and hauled them to mass Sunday morning all by himself. Several hours after they returned, as he was trying to juggle all of his new responsibilities, including investigating safe medications online for a desperate breastfeeding mommy living on powerade, and sporting the baby in my Moby wrap (am I allowed to tell that?) the phone rang. It was Mrs. P, whom we see every Sunday morning at mass and who frequently tells me what an adorable little face Stephen has (and of course I agree!). We have known she and her husband for years. In fact, they were at our wedding and are just an amazing older couple. She noticed I was missing and called to see if I was sick. As soon as Austin told her she insisted on bringing us a meal. When he asked her why she said in her sweet southern belle accent, "I had five children and I know what it is like when the mother is sick." What a huge relief! God is good. (All the time!). This allowed Austin a little bit of rest in the afternoon and time to care for me and the baby. It was just what we needed. And what a meal...it was Christmas dinner! Ham, green bean casserole, cheesy potato casserole, bread, cookies and chocolate covered strawberries. She has been in my prayers ever since! I am finally able to eat somewhat normal food today, and Austin is home while I try to build my strength back up to normal levels. It is definitely Lent and reminds me a lot of the start to our Lent when Stephen was a baby! I try to post mostly the positive aspects of family life here, but I also want to be honest. Someday when I am old and feeble reading this thinking, "What was so hard about that?" I will have my answer. And maybe I can just bless some young family as we have been blessed! Thanks be to God for His goodness and mercy!

I love this little face!

Outside

is where you spend your days when it is 87 degrees out in the middle of February. What a week!

Welcome, Lent

We've been expecting you..a welcome yet somewhat dreaded guest.

We started with 7am mass today, which the baby fussed most of the way through...very lenten. Apparently she doesn't like to get up early because she usually sleeps at mass!
Our goals as a family are to pray Stations of the Cross once a week (at home, not the church...too crazy with baby!), fast from desserts except for one small treat on Sunday for good mass behavior, lenten lotto where we choose an extra prayer or sacrifice each day, pray at the abortion clinic once a week, do the crown of thorns, and then Austin and I each have a few personal goals. Whew...we'll see if we can make all the way to Easter! Have a blessed Lent!

Growing baby

Anastasia is looking much more filled out all of a sudden. She must have had a growth spurt over the last few days! She even has thigh rolls now which received great "ooh's and ahh's" at her last few diaper changes. I weighed her on the scale with me, and it seems that she is pushing 11 lbs. We will find out officially at her checkup in 2 weeks!

Total relaxation

Holding time

She didn't cry this time. Yay!

Bedtime buddies

Mud

Sometimes a little boy needs to play in the mud...

and sometimes his Mommy just needs to let him.

update

The baptism photos are up for those who are interested, but I predated them on Feb 4th so all will be in proper order when I print the blog. :)

Little ladybug and big brother

Some friends gave Anastasia this cute ladybug outfit for her baptism. I was going to take some photos of her, and Stephen decided to join in. They had giggles...

and some serious conversation...

And then he decided to hold her hand with this very solemn expression. I am not sure what they talked about, but it would be interesting to know. :)

First smiles

After a long nap and a belly full of milk to follow yesterday, Anastasia and I had some girl talk time, and she smiled at me 4 times! No gas involved...they were real smiles. No photos of course because they were brief smiles and I was just enjoying them, but hopefully in the coming weeks she will have more to share and I can catch some on camera. She is also learning to use her voice for sounds other than crying. The girls are tickled with her "talking." Growing up already....Sigh.

Sister time

Gotta love it (Annie's not so sure, but she will learn!)

One month old!

This is a little delayed due to her Baptism and a stomach bug (thankfully mild) falling in one weekend. ;) But I can hardly believe Anastasia is one month old now! Time flies. Here are some more sleeping baby and baby holding photos...

She spends a lot of time in her carseat between running errands and because she has constant congestion (weird newborn thing since she was 1 week old...not a cold) and can't sleep well laying down.

Redheaded buddies

Allia was just sure she talked to her (baby talk of course) as I was taking the photo...hence the surprise face

A nickname?

We have discussed nicknames for Anastasia, mostly because the girls are just interested in the idea of nicknames, but also because her name is long. We formerly thought "Ana," but the other day I suggested "Annie," and Gloria decided that was it. So she now calls baby sister Annie every time she can remember and smiles a big smile. She does have red hair, so I think it fits, minus the curls. ;) We'll see if it sticks.

First baking adventure

Allia made her first batch of cupcakes all by herself yesterday, inspired by a cupcake decorating set she received from Auntie Carol and Auntie Laura (Austin's Aunts) Saturday. They were yummy!

More grandparents!

Anastasia's baptism was yesterday, so she and her siblings had lots of family in town to hang out with this weekend! Here are some shots with Lito and Lita.

Anastasia's Baptism

If there is anything we have learned, we know that when a spiritual good is to be gained, there will be an attack from "the dark side". (Can you tell we've been watching Star Wars?) As the family started arriving in preparation for Anastasia's baptism, our Mariana came down with a stomach bug. Being a planner, I tried not to panic but I must admit thoughts of having to reschedule the baptism fluttered in my head and made my stomach sink (or was I coming down with the bug?). Well it turned out that the only ones to get it, or at least the full of it, were Mariana and Manah. But sadly, this meant they both had to miss the event. So the rest of us went off to celebrate, leaving those two behind watching Thomas the Train at home!

The beautiful cake made by Mary (aka the Godmother). It tasted as great as it looked!

 "I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." She was perfectly calm.

 Anointing with the Oil of Chrism...love that smell!

 

 "See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity."

 "Receive the light of Christ"

  "May she keep the flame of faith alive in her heart."

 "May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith."

 Parents and Godparents (we are so blessed to have such amazing friends to guide Anastasia in the faith!)

 

 And it still amazes me that Fr. Will, Austin's college roommate, celebrated this Sacrament for us!

 Family (minus the children because it would just be weird without Mariana!)

 Reception

"When the Lord comes, may she go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom." Amen

Have no fear

Pawpaw is here