Repast

On a slow Saturday, we went to walk aimlessly around the mall for the second time in as many years. The girls had their first experience with a bouncy house. Thank you, toy store.



And this picture is worthy of posting because Annika's a grump, PLUS immediately after taking it, we ran into Aaron and Marzella Harrison, Ava, and Baby Bump (who is so slight as to be mistaken for a flat stomach). Hurrah for the mall!


We came home to unusually warm air, and the girls wisely stored up mud pies and cookies for the next snow.

Eewww. Gross.

I'm pretty disappointed with my placenta. I could write a dozen posts on why natural births are important to me-- don't worry, I won't-- but it looks like a c-section might be inevitable. My placenta hasn't moved, and because it's a jealous, territorial thing, it's also stretched blood vessels across the part of the cervix it doesn't cover and anchored itself as low as possible. So, a home birth is definitely out at this point; I had my last phone conversation with the equally disappointed but still very helpful home birth midwife, and I get to meet new people next week. My hospital midwife referred me for a Level II ultrasound to assess the placenta's placement as accurately as possible and to look at my amniotic fluid levels, which, though slightly elevated since last time, are still low enough for concern, and then I have a follow-up appointment with the surgeon (from another practice) who delivered my twin nieces via c-section. There's nothing obvious that is causing the low amniotic fluid level, so I might have to go in for blood testing, too, to rule out viral issues.

I will be very happy if the Lord chooses to perform the unexpected, but I'm also trying to inform myself of all that surrounds c-sections so that we and Buster can have as normal a "birth" and bonding experience as possible, though I'll be more of a passive observer for the birth part, as well as a c-section as optimal as possible for future natural delivery, Lord willing.

God is good. Thanks to those of you who've been thinking of and praying for me and the ol' pl_ _ _ _ _ _ and who continue to do so. I appreciate it!

And to end this dull post on a shining note, heeeeere's Buster again! We love this baby and look forward to holding him or her whatever the route to us may be.

Introduction to the Ordinary

We've been sick for three weeks, plagued by hacking and sniffles, and now Annika's on antibiotic for a double ear infection and a probable ruptured ear drum on one side. Millie and Susannah are both weathering ear infections without antibiotics, so we've been sleepless and a bit out of sorts around these parts. Things are on the mend, though! To prove it, here are snapshots. Words another day.

.....z

Susannah had trouble staying asleep because of her ear infection and came crying downstairs during naptime only to fall asleep in my arms or, this time, curled over a pillow on the living room floor.

Squeaky

The girls do take baths (isn't that good to know?), and here are two of them mid-scrub. I'll load more pictures another day because time runs short.

The icy-eyed littlest.



The hazel-eyed middlest (just imagine her here).

And the brown-eyed biggest.

Pinkies Up and Away

The girls had a tea party.


It was spontaneous, so the fare was a bit lacking. Don't get me wrong. Ant sandwiches have their time and place; I'm just not sure high tea is one of them.



Even if you decide against ant sandwiches, do include carrots. In fact, if given a choice between spoons and carrots, the wiser choice is always carrots.



Here are the goofy ladies in attendance.

One.


Two.



Three.



And four, who looked enough like number two to be her twin.

Party Pieces

More of the Same, Only Different

My not-so-little sister Debbie has been in London for the Houghton Honors program since early January. She's more scholastically dedicated than I ever was (was I ever?) and is a wonderful person, to boot, so she's doing marvelously, though there is the rare setback of a B+ -- GASP!-- before she springs back with a string of A's. We miss her and can't wait to hear of all the adventuring firsthand when she returns.

And, Deb, the grapevine (MOM) told us that you wished you could hear Millie read in person. The next best thing lies below. Forgive the brusqueness; we taped it last week right before naptime. Here's to the month of April and hearing "The Hat" in person. We love you!

Good-fer-Nothin' Border Guards

This is what happens when a Bird smuggles food into bed.



I think she was trying to reach the worm inside the apple when she fell asleep.

Bushy-bellied

We sandwiched our Christmas tree in between the cement block garage and our back door, the only place where the wind blows it down once a week instead of more often, in hopes that birds would come to the feast despite the obstacles. Well, this squirrel is plump and happy, but only now that spring nears have we seen any feathered diners. Maybe I'll even be able to snap a shot or two before this furball scares them off.

Giro Galoppo!!!

The Saturdays that John doesn't work are officially Board Game Days. Millie doesn't let him wriggle out of this chore, and since he enjoys it as much as they do, he doesn't grumble.



I rarely invade papa time with a camera, but I did snatch a few pictures this last Saturday. They're paltry, but they're here.


Here's a chubby hand to show Annika's presence.



And a whirling, blurry Papa hug.