Our Newest Little Cub

Rilla was born on Wednesday, October 22nd. After 8 hours of being on Pitocin, my body started to digress instead of the traditional progression that results in a healthy vaginal birth. A Cesarian was performed as there was concern that my placenta was too low to allow Rilla room to pass. And, a good decision was made for that is what had happened. After a couple days of shock, and healing, we are both doing well.
We came home from the hospital yesterday. I had turned in the birth certificate paperwork as we were leaving the hospital and I had a huge pit in my stomach about it all the way home. I had allowed my certainty to waiver as I listened to nurses' negative comments about my desire to name her "Rilla" so at the last moment, I looked for a new name. I really liked one I came across, "Talia." So, on a whim, I wrote it down and turned it in. The children had called for an update on our arrival time and a final name choice. I told them "Talia." The ride home seemed long, and I was having difficulty remembering what the name I had chosen was and how to pronounce it. This was not a good sign.
We drove up to the house and I caught a glimpse of what it might be like being famous and being stalked by paparazzi as the older children were jumping up and down cheering, while the younger ones were screaming at us while being restrained by the older ones so that they wouldn't get hit by the car. I wasn't foolish to think that the excitement was for my arrival, I knew the true star was the little package in the back.
As the van door was thrust open, each and every child welcomed "Rilla" not "Talia" home. I looked up and read the love notes the kids had posted on the garage door adorned with pink balloons and noticed the name "Talia" not "Rilla." It was clear to me that Rilla had come home and my desire for others to love and accept her name was foolish. We love our Rilla and she is here to stay :)
And, not a soul would dare argue with the 5 older body guards about their little sister's name or anything else for that matter. Each one of them would do anything to protect and defend her :)

Induce Me!

I just received a phone call from my nurse asking me if I was still planning to be allowed to be induced thursday morning....Ok....I am a bit suspicious at this point and after I assured her that indeed I am counting on it she offered me good luck and hung up. Tell me, seriously, why anyone who'd been scheduled an inducement by their DR would change the date? Especially, after months of pain??? Crazy.

Now, that I am feeling good that they are not changing the plan, I get a call from the DR himself, asking if I want to be induced tomorrow? Do I? YES!!! And so, while I thought there weren't going to be any surprises this close to the Plan, I have one. And this time, I welcome it!

October 20th

Emma's birthday. I suppose we had her party prematurely since I still haven't had this baby. I still wanted to make the day somewhat special for her. Ray and I found a new bike for her present. I was worried that she wouldn't be as excited about it as her dad was. She becomes very emotionally tied to things even old and broken things like her old bike. I had promised to make her favorite dinner--Beef Stroganoff (she insists on calling it noodles with gray sauce.) This description makes me feel like a less than healthy chef as I envision "grey" sauce being made with rat meat...yuck...but all of my disgusting images aside, I made stroganoff with 100% top grade USA Beef. I also was excited to discover that I had all the necessary ingredients to made Grandma Pace's famous chocolate cake. This had become a favorite for Emma. Grandma Pace, my great-grandma, died before any of my children were born, but each time I have made the cake my children get to hear me relate a story about the dear grandma whom made this cake a family favorite. Since Emma was two, she has loved geneology. She has had a suprising understanding of who she is in relation to family members who have passed on and speaks about them as if she's always known them. I am not sure if it's the cake or the tie to a grandma she loves the most.

Anyway, Tessa was thrilled to help me make and frost the cake. I suggested we wash 9 pennies to put into the cake as a fun surprise. This is another family tradition of mine initiated by Grandma Orba Pearce. Tessa was super excited to be contributing to this special dessert.

We barely finished the cake and dinner as Emma arrived home from school. We hurried and ate and loaded the car for a fun family outing to the pumpkin patch. Being family home evening night and a birthday, I thought this would be a special activity. The pumpkin patch is lovely. The mountains surround this farm. The leaves on the mountain are changing to give a lovely autumn display of colors. The wagon hay ride is 15 minutes of a relaxing drive through perfectly groomed orchards. The sun was setting and so the sky was lit with extraordinary colors of pink, blue, purple, gray, orange, and reds. I was so happy to be outside with my family in a beautiful place. The children (with the exception of Nathan) had a fun time running around the fields searching for the perfect pumpkin. I then realized, while it was lovely, I couldn't keep up with them to get perfect pictures, so I just tried to find a spot to at least enjoy watching them run. As I turned to look for Ray and Nate, I smiled because Nathan had finally allowed his dad to put him down so he could scoop up "a cute baby punkin." As Nathan picked up his pumpkin, Ray tried to scoop up Nathan again only to have him fall out of his arms and landing on his back. Needless to say, this ended Nate's idea of a perfect pumpkin and any hopes for enjoying this outing. Meanwhile, Tessa had fallen twice, in her efforts to keep up with her older siblings. She had scuffed her hands and had burrs in her shoes along with tear-stained cheeks and no pumpkin. At this point, my hopes for my kids to find a perfect pumpkin in the $1.00 range were dis-illusioned. I then invited them to find any pumpkin that they could carry without assistance and head back to the wagon. Now with pumpkins in tow and smiles once again, we boarded the wagon to head back to the barn. Luckily for me the nicest man let me on the wagon before the rest of the crowd stampeded. I tried to forget how immobile I am, the hayride brought me back to reality...as I couldn't step over the hale bales to get a seat, nor could I even stand up after the ride on my own--too close to the ground. Anyway, we had fun singing happy birthday to Emma in the dark on the ride back. She seemed a bit embarrassed and happy.

We were gone a bit longer than I had planned. We still had cake and presents to do. We walked in the house to find dog diarhea all over the floor. Who knew a tiny Chiawawa could be so sick??? The kids were restless for cake and ice cream, so I dished up after a hurried song and quick candles, while Ray cleaned up the dog's mess. We also had a neighbor stop by...phone calls....the craziness never ends. The kids were enjoying dessert and conversing about the treasured pumpkins when Ray finally finished and took a bite of his cake to discover a penny. Mad isn't a good enough desciption for his immediate disposition as he informed me that pennies have zinc and that they are poisonous...blah...blah...blah....I tried to calmly explain that I don't cook the pennies into the cake...they were washed....we've done it for years....Tessa started to cry thinking she was in trouble...no one wanted the pennies any more. I tried to comfort Tessa. I then louldlly proclaimed it was the best Grandma Pace Cake I'd ever made (as I licked a penny)...and it was.

The bike was ok. The dollar store porcelain doll was the favorite. Emma wouldn't finish her cake. Her pumpkin proudly is displayed on a table. Definately a memorable evening. Successful? Maybe. All I know is that I can't move at all today. One can only do their best and then hope that somehow the memories we hope to give our children somehow imprint the best parts and leave out all the bad ones. Ray, once calmed down, suggests if I have to put pennies into the cake to make sure they're the old ones....

Shop Clerk Show Down

Realizing that my baby is coming very soon, I needed to purchase a new nursing bra. Being on bed rest limits how much looking around I can do in stores so I thought I'd do some internet shopping first to see what is out there. With my first 5 children, I have a good idea of what works for me and what doesn't. Unfortunately, my favorite nursing bra is no longer manufactured....I am not impressed with the options at "Motherhood" and other maternity stores. I checked into some department stores and surprisingly found one I think will be great at JCPenney's. In fact, I was also thrilled to see it was on sale....better still. My two younger girls wanted to come to the store with me and I thought it would be an entertaining experience so off we went to the mall. Unfortunately, the real store, the one I can go into and see products, try them on, etc., did not carry this bra. I was disappointed, but thought I'd just ask the clerk to order it for me since I was there. However, the clerk had other ideas. She insisted I would love the other 2 options she had in the store. I stated clearly that I had looked at them but wasn't impressed. She proceeded to demonstrate the 2 choices and asked what size I wear. I again stated in a polite and firm voice that I had looked, and discovered that I did not like either bra and neither bra was available in my size any way. The "helpful" clerk asked if I really knew my bra size....she then looked at me and insisted I did not know my bra size and that I am bigger than I had stated. She tried (unsuccessfully) to tuck my shirt under my breasts to get herself a better estimate of my size to prove to me she knew better than me and then proceeded to tell me the medical truths involved with the changes in breast size while pregnant and nursing. At this point, I was mad. I only went to the store in hopes of trying the bra on and now I just wanted to order the bra I had liked. A long line was forming behind me trying to purchase their intimate apparel. I just wanted to accomplish one simple task and return to the comfort of my p.j.'s and bed. My two little girls looked at me with loving eyes, knowing I was ready to explode. I thought I would give it one more try and so I asked, "Would you please order this bra?" as I handed her the item number I had copied down off of my computer. She tried to look it up on her computer and then commented, "Well this particular bra is on the internet. I can only order out of the catalog." She then showed me the bra on her computer and it was twice the price for the same thing. I smiled, thanked her, and tried to leave for home just to order the stupid bra. She shouted after me, "Are you sure one of these bras won't work?" I turned to look her in the eyes, and calmly stated, "This is my sixth baby. I know what I like. I like this bra. You can't get it for me. I know my bra size. Please stop trying to tell me anything contrary to my convictions and.... have a nice day." Emma took one hand, Tessa the other, and as they squeezed my hands they smiled and asked if we had time to ride the escalator a couple of times before we had to go home. "Of course," I replied. "We definately need a fun diversion."

Amidst this crazy encounter my girls were hilarious. Before we met the super savvy salesclerk, I had asked Emma to help me look for the brand of bra I was hoping to find. She wanted additional information to help her search. I told her to look for any bra that said "nursing" on the tag. When she found the 2 options the store carried she was so excited. I asked her to bring me one so I could get a better look before I walked over to that side of the department. She did not want to touch it. I calmly told her it wasn't a big deal it was just a bra. She still didn't want to touch it. Tessa piped up and said, "Oh, what's the big deal it is on a hanger. Just touch the hanger...oh,I'll do it." At this point, Emma couldn't let her little sister outdo her. She grabbed one, Tessa the other, and brought me the bras. Although I didn't like either of them we had a good experience learning how to shop for bras. Both girls felt successful to find nursing bras and to actually carry them by the hangers. And of course, the escalator rides made everything better. :)

p.s. I finally ordered it on-line. Next time we'll just skip the too-invasive in-store experience and just go for the informal and private on-line shopping experience from the comfort of my p.j.'s.

Princess

Having 3 older sisters, Nathan is often exposed to princess themed games, movies, and dress-ups. Truly he is 100% boy who loves to dig in the dirt, wrestle, and play cars, but he also can appreciate the idealism found in a good fairytale. I was sorting through a box searching for something. Nathan came in and noticed a couple of pictures on the floor by my box. He pointed to one exclaiming, "Look at the beautiful princess!" I glanced over at the picture and saw that it was me in my wedding dress standing in a field. I smiled. Nathan shouted, "Isn't she a pretty princess?" And then all of a sudden, he smiled and stated, "The beautiful princess is My Mama." Of course, I smiled too and hugged him. Who says two-year-olds are always terrible?

Wrap It Up!

We have 3 birthdays to celebrate in October: Ray, Emma, and Tessa. Being 37 weeks pregnant and wanting to wrap things up in order to have some peace of mind before October birthday #4 arrives, I decided to hurry and have Emma & Tessa's birthday parties last week.

Tessa's birthday is on the 9th. I love to plan themed birthday parties and in the past have tended to get carried away....However, this time things went a little differently. I tried to give theme suggestions. I offered Tessa a bowling party or a swimming party. She wasn't interested. She adamantly wanted a "peanut butter play-doh" party. I finally realized that I was not in any shape to produce a fancy party and so we went for the simple play-doh party. Tessa loves it because not only is it fun to play with but it is also edible.

I set out a ball of dough for each guest and provided every cookie cutter I have available for them to play with. All of the girls and my other children had a great time. We had to clean up before they were ready to quit to do some other things. And, it was such a huge success that the girls did not want to part with their dough, so we wrapped it up for them to take home.

We also tied a pink balloon to each girl's ankle and tried to play the game where they try to pop each others balloons. None of the balloons popped and the girls were thrilled. My older kids seemed disappointed because they thought we were having a disaster until I explained that we were all lucky to still have our balloons to take home too.

We played musical mats(chairs) with Hannah Montanna as our "vocalist." Watching the little girls dance around and sing along was the highlight of my afternoon.

After presents, we served the girls some party mix of popcorn, fruit flavored mini marshmellows, and chocolate chips. We dished up some fun "purple cow" drinks and sang "Happy Birthday."

To end our party, we let everyone frost & decorate sugar cookies to take home. Again, what a simple and yet purely captivating activity.

The whole party lasted an hour & a half. I was able to sit and enjoy. My daughter had smiles and laughs throughout and all the guests went home happy. Elizabeth had a choir concert that night after dinner. I had been too tired to make a cake. Instead, I had prepared strawberry jello--Tessa's favorite food that I rarely make--and put the candles in it. We sang to her before we ate dinner and rushed off to the concert. We were worried that the concert might cause Tessa to feel left out, but instead she came home singing.
Simplicity is under-rated.

Friday morning I woke up unable to move. I suppose I over-did it more than I thought. So I rested the entire day to store up some energy for Emma's "Late Night" Party. Emma really wanted to invite girls over for a non-sleep-over party. Everyone came in p.j.'s. We did nails, hair-do's, and make-up. I also had each girl design a picture on a piece of white paper. With the magic of special crayons I was able to iron -on each design onto an over-sized white t-shirt for the girls to take home a personalized nightie.

For the most part, Emma's party went ok, minus the need for her to argue and fight with her older sister every two minutes...and not wanting any suggestions from me on what to do next....I made a silent committment to myself that we really might not ever need to have another birthday party again....

And, after all the girls went home, I laid down hoping that I could just have this baby tonight and be done with bed rest, pain, toxemia.....As I am envisioning labor coming at any moment and wishing my body back to normal, Elizabeth comes in. She comes very close sits down and whispers, "Mom, my book report is due on Monday, my science project is due on Tuesday, and my music listening write-up is due on Wednesday. I forced a smile and replied, "Well, I guess I know what we'll be working on tomorrow." She lovingly said good-night and went off to bed. I quietly cried myself to sleep. As much as I would like to "wrap things up" so I can have a baby without feeling anxiety about undone projects, it just isn't going to happen.

Messy Tessy

Tessa is our "Messa." I am not sure she can help but being a super messy kid. Her favorite thing to do is smear her food all over her face and hands. We try patiently to encourage using a fork during meals. We provide her with at least two napkins per meal. I think we're progressing a little because I can't always determine what we were eating by inspecting her laundry. Tessa's new favorite obsession is to touch every wall and to rub her hands, face, or feet along the walls especially after meal times. I have tried to explain in a rational manner about germs and my concern that as she licks walls, tables, and chairs she is not only spreading her germs that will grow and mold and spread bacteria, but she may also be passing germs to the other unfortunates living with her who may touch where she's deposited her filfth. So now she seems to mostly remember to go directly to the sink to wash her hands and face after dinner before she touches anything. We also try to explain that we just don't like her touching everything from here to there and would like her to stop it. This is taking longer to modify. Today I caught her swinging on a door and then rubbing her hands down the wall as she goofily walked down the hallway. I said, "Tessa" in a firm voice. She turned and looked at me with her beautiful eyes exclaiming, "What? I washed my hands!"

Academics?

Thursday evening, Elizabeth came to me begging to check her out of school early for Friday, the following day. I asked why? She told me it would be a "block" day where the last 85 minutes of school would be a "party." She told me there would be a movie and a dance. She didn't want to go to either. She felt like it was inappropriate to force students to do such things and she didn't feel good about it. I agreed with her. Social activities for Jr. High should be offered and students and parents should be aware of those activities to discuss them together and decide if they are good to go to. Whether or not Elizabeth was just terrified of too much interaction with the boys or if she truly had a bad feeling about attending the party, I as her mom love her for standing up for what she believes to be right. I for one, am glad to have a sweet girl who isn't ready to grow up too quickly.

The Pine Wood Derby

The family, without me, went to support Noah at the Cub Scout's Pine Wood Derby last night. Noah was pleased with his "swiss cheese" car carrying a mouse passenger. All were excited about how it would fare.

Two hours later, Noah bounces in exclaiming that he didn't win an award this year, but had a great timed! (Good Attitude)

Then my Emma comes in with tears rolling down her cheeks exclaiming, "It's not fair! Dad said maybe Noah would be helping Nathan with his car in a few years. Why can't I help build the card? Why can't I enter the pine wood derby? Why can't I even touch Noah's car?"

Truth be told...I'd just as soon forget the Pine Wood Derby, but knowing that wasn't going to comfort Emma, I just suggested maybe we could have a family car derby one of these days. Immediately, she cheered, telling me just what kind of car she'd build and asking me if we could start tomorrow. I looked down at my belly and then up at her and said, "Maybe not tomorrow, or even a few tomorrows...."

She seemed ok with waiting....but seriously....what did I get myself into?

Snakes

Nathan woke up pointing to his throat screaming, "Get the snakes out!" At first I was thinking he might be dreaming...and then I realized what he was talking about--goobies. I have never considered what phlegm and mucous must seem like to a two year old until today--snakes. So now that I'm understanding, we're working on it.

House Guests While on Bed Rest

I am grateful to have loving and concerned friends who have come by to say hello and check up on me. I appreciate it immensely. However, it's the visits that catch me off-guard in my p.j.'s and no bra for example, that I do not handle too well. For example, the other day someone came to the door needing some updated information from my husband. As he's filling out the paperwork, he invites our friend into our house to say hello to me because he's positive I would love a visit. I had been standing, leaning, in the kitchen trying to prepare dinner. I hadn't showered yet and I was sweating a ton. I felt gross and looked it too. In she comes, all dressed up with a lovely smile...I felt like a trapped savage animal. What do you do, but smile back, comment on how nice it is to visit, admit you're feeling fabulous, and try to fight the urge to hurt your spouse for being completely ignorant as to what you NEED and WANT.

I have the sweetest elderly neighbor who has just managed remission from a horrible battle with cancer, She called wanting to come visit. At that particular moment I was busy visiting with my children and felt like it wouldn't be a good time. She promised to call me later in the week. Then I began to stress about it. I spend most of my day in bed or on the couch on the second story of our home. The stairs would be too much for her to climb. And, I have trouble being comfy downstairs for very long....I also have decided that answering the door every time someone knocks is out of the question because then I am going up and down all day and not resting...so sometimes it feels like trying to accommodate others good will puts me in a bad predicament that isn't helping me out at all.

Sometimes bed rest is just a total bummer and I can't think of anything positive about it.

We are trying to sell our brand new house because it ended up being WAY over budget. Showing the house has been ok. The children and my husband have pitched in a lot to help clean the house to make a decent presentation....until today.

Yesterday, my DR informed me that I may be heading towards preeclampsia and was ordered to take bed rest to a more serious level (if that is possible). I also have to take a 24 hour urine sample which brings with it some interesting items to the bathroom scene.

So, this morning, and not feeling well, I stayed in bed, and was still in bed as prospective buyers arrived. I am sure the sight of me laying in bed was uncomfortable for them. I can't even imagine what they thought of the bathroom paraphernalia. And, all I can hope is that they could see past me, and the bathroom, and the cluttered house that I can't do what I'd like to do about it, and would still consider buying a home from a very sick pregnant woman who could give birth at any time....

Jr. High Update

My friend asked me today if we'd ever resolved the band book mystery...so I thought I'd update this story.

I sent my husband to parent-teacher conferences at the Jr. High last week. I guess all of the teachers congregate in the gym and stay their for awhile to see if any of us show up. I sent them to seek out the band teacher and show him our receipt. I am embarrassed to admit that he pointed out that he could sign off for "Chloe" Thompson, but not for Elizabeth. I never saw that the name at the top of my receipt was indeed "Chloe" Thompson...oops...although, still I didn't ever claim to have a Chloe....

My husband at this point was beginning to understand the nightmares I'd been through so he asked to speak to the principal. He of course, agreed that this "unusual" situation was a problem and that he'd have it straightened out immediately.

My daughter, Elizabeth, came home from school with a suspicious grin. She told me that the horrid lady from the office had found her in class, brought her a check for a refund (for a flute rental which was the other part of our problem, but I didn't write about that...), and expressed to her how that had never happened in all the years she'd been working at the school, and then gave to her a new receipt with HER proper name on it.

As she and I glanced at the receipt, we noticed that now, we've paid for some Spanish class fees and Elizabeth isn't enrolled in Spanish.....

Good Deeds

I promised myself that I wouldn't brag about my kids on this blog, so without bragging I just want to record something really nice. :)

Emma and Noah found $20.00 lying on the sidewalk on their way home from church. After walking around trying to find someone who might have lost it they decided to turn it in the office of our church leader.

A few hours later, a friend and neighbor, came by with her son wanting to talk to Noah & Emma. She related how her son had just received the $20.00 for a woman who had paid him for helping her with her pet care this summer. Then he lost it and was broken-hearted. He thought for sure that whomever found it would just keep it. He was devastated. And then, on a whim, after they'd searched for a long time around the block, they went in to see the church leader. He and his mom were pleasantly surprised that his $20.00 was waiting for him. Their prayers had been answered, and his faith in humanity increased.

I am happy that my children wanted to return the money even when $20.00 is a lot of money to two kids who don't have much of their own.