Cookie Decorating Party

Alan and I will admit that we are not quite up to trying to do everything we normally do for Advent and Christmas this year.  I did not make an Advent calendar and even failed to buy the chocolate ones at the store.  The nativity sets are not out (although I'm not sure where we would put them anymore).  Most of the feast days have not been celebrated. I really doubt any cards will go out this year and the few adults we do usually send gifts to won't be getting anything this year.  It's just not where we are at the moment.  And yet there is a need to try to keep things a tad normal or fun for the kids. So we invited some folks over today for a cookie decorating party.  Translation: we just came up with an excuse to have some friends over.  Cookies, lunch, playing outside, and a house full of friends who just came to spend time together.  Something we really need to do more often.  And, yes, I did totally lose count of how many cookies were eaten and watched a few little ones dump entire bottles of sprinkles on top of their cookies.  But it's all fair in love and sugar, right?

And There Goes the Streak

Last night Gabe took a header into the hat and mitten box.  Apparently that is what happens when you are running in the house. Which led to a trip to the ER because, of course, you can't split your head open in the middle of the day when you can go to the doctor or earlier in the evening when the urgent care center is open.  You'd think a head wound on a child would be a reason for some urgency but apparently not.  They spent about 5 hours there in total.  Perhaps the problem was that Alan had managed to do a decent job patching things up before they left home so the wound was not gaping or bleeding heavily.

Either way Gabe finally made it home with 6 stitches right smack dab in the middle of his forehead.  Our first kid ever to need them.  I'll admit that I am a bit shocked that we avoided them this long.  Apparently there is a lot of appeal to getting to spend all that time alone with Dad and leave the house at night dressed in your jammies.  So Gabe is none the worse for the wear.  Just hoping next time someone splits their head open that they are polite enough to do it earlier in the day.

Happy Birthday Kieran!

Kieran turned 11 on Wednesday.  Yes, this post is a wee bit late because I was waiting until I pulled the pictures off the camera.  I've been running a bit behind on most things lately.

 Kieran is rather focused on trying to be different than everyone else lately.  I suppose that sometimes happens when you are part of such a large crowd. So he requested a pie rather than a birthday cake.  He also made sure to pick a restaurant for his dinner out that no one had chosen before.  He's currently taking fencing lessons (a birthday gift) and is thoroughly enjoying them.  Alan says he is picking up on things very quickly.

Here's hoping you had a wonderful day buddy.

Happy Birthday Ellie!

Ellie turns 2 today.  Currently several of her siblings are arguing over who will get to make her birthday cake.  This pretty much illustrates exactly what her role is around here. She's the one everyone wants to spoil and take care of and fight over.  Right now I am currently fighting a battle with her older siblings trying to convince them that it is not necessary to spoil her so darn much.  As cute as she is, I can see the attitude becoming an issue if it is not reigned in soon.

I can safely say that Ellie loves her baby dolls.  She is often seen carrying one or two of them around the house.  She still seems to think that the diapers somehow go on the dolls' heads but we're working on that one.

She also loves her brother Robert.  I've watched her climb into his lap and just walk up to him and hug him. The two of them rather remind me of Katie and Liam at the same age.  Which just slightly worries me.

Her favorite book is Wrapping Paper Romp and she will ask you to read it over and over and over again.  The other day she brought the book to Gabe to read to her.  Gabe did his best considering he has not yet mastered reading.  He told her he would read it to her silently.  After flipping through the pages, he handed the book back and informed her he was done.  Ellie was not amused and looked at the boy like he had two heads. Clearly he did not understand the read to me request.

I will admit that I consider Ellie's happy temperament and laid back personality to be the result of having so many wonderful siblings around.  To be completely honest, I have spent most of the past two years being slightly or not so slightly emotionally burned out.  About the time she was born, I was still dealing with a wee bit of a mental breakdown due to life and family.  Once I finally started getting back on my feet we were knocked over by a miscarriage and then the pregnancy.  But luckily for Ellie, when Mom was not available to pick her up and carry her around and dote on her, she always had a sibling standing by who was more than willing to rock her to sleep and toss her in a baby carrier and spoil her slightly rotten.  She may not have always had a parent taking care of her but she has always had more than enough love and care.  We've found ourselves pointing out to the older boys that she likely views them as another adult type person in her life.  Yes, Mom and Dad are special but those big boys get just as many hugs and smiles and she runs to hang on them when they come home.  I hope they all realize what a special relationship they have together.

Anyway, happy birthday to Miss Ellie.  You truly hold a special place in our family.

A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy

A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy by Sarah A. Reinhard arrived on our doorstep somewhere in the second half of my pregnancy.  I will admit that I was a little skeptical that there would be much new in the book for me given that I was currently smack dab in the middle of my eleventh pregnancy.  I was surprised to find that there were things for even a seasoned Mom to glean from this book.

First, this book is not full of the nitty gritty physical and medical aspects of what is going on when you are pregnant.  If that is the kind of book you are looking for, this one is not for you.  Second, this is not a book that you will sit down and read in large chunks. This is a book meant to be taken in slowly in small pieces over time. Unless it arrives in your home when you are already most of the way through your pregnancy. Then you just might find yourself reading the entire thing at once.

What this book is a spiritual guide to the path you travel when expecting a new baby. Each chapter covers a week of your pregnancy.  Your experiences are covered from a faith based or emotional perspective. Each chapter ends with a short prayer that is relavent to that phase of your pregnancy.

I'll admit that a few weeks after our little Isabel died, I saw this book laying on my bedroom floor and found myself reaching for it.  Yes, that seems a little strange to some folks I suppose.  But I had remembered seeing something in the book on stillbirth so I found myself sitting on the floor paging through the book looking for something that might help me sort out the mess in my mind.  Although the  topic was covered very briefly, it did help me to realize that the path we are currently walking is not one we are traveling alone.  I suppose my one complaint was that the topic was touched on so briefly that I felt a need to read more.  I know folks do not like to dwell on the possibility of losing a baby rather than bringing one home but when it happens, you need something to lean on without leaving the house.

One particular section of the book that spoke to me the first time I read it was the reminder to pray for our husbands.  Alan often reminds me that it's incredibly hard for him to connect to the baby during pregnancy or to watch the times I'm in pain for some reason or another.  There is something about a pregnancy that can leave a husband feeling incredibly helpless.  Our last pregnancy was full of so many minor bumps in the road that I know Alan was feeling particularly helpless this time around.  The reminder to focus on praying for him and the burdens he carries was particularly needed.

If we are blessed with another pregnancy, I hope to be able to say that I was able to spend time each week reading this book and praying my way through each week.  But until that time, I hope to recommend this book to other expectant mothers, both first time moms and those of the more seasoned variety.  We can all use the reminder provided that each chance to carry a new life is the greatest gift and miracle that will ever touch your life.

Saint Catherine Laboure and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Marianne Lorraine Trouve has written a new book for the Encounter the Saints Series covering the life of Saint Catherine Laboure.  As with the other books in this series, this biography is written at a level that is perfect for children in the 8-10 year-old range.  The story is told in fairly simple terms while managing to give a decent amount of detail.  A glossary is also included in the back of the book to explain terms in the book that may be new to the reader.

I found this book to be a quick simple read. The story was engaging without being overwhelming.  Even though it is written for youth, I found that there were a few details in the story that were new to me.  This book is a wonderful way to introduce your child to the story behind the miraculous medal.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Saint Catherine Labouré . The Catholic Company is the best resource for all your family Advent activities and supplies this year, such as Advent wreaths and calendars for kids, as well as Christmas decorations such as nativity scene sets and religious Christmas gifts for the whole family.

Isabel

Our sweet baby Isabel.