Photo by Heather Metcalfe
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
All In A Day's Traveling...
This was one of those how-much-can-I-cram-into-one-day type of days. Where to begin? The 7 AM trip to Wal Mart to get a gift for Thomas' class party? Sure. Why not.
No, lets back up. To the 5AM nursing with Anna. Just so you know that my day really did start early. I could say, 'Not that I am complaining', but we all know how much I like to complain. About inconsequential stuff. So, yes. I was awake at 5AM. Seeing to my baby daughters needs. And she was needy. And stinky.
We were at Wal Mart by 7:20, me and Thomas. We rushed through the store to find a little gift for the child whose name he drew. Thankfully, we settled on something pretty quickly. Then we had to do the check out line. Did you know there were lines at 7:30 at that place? Seriously, there are.
Once we started out the door, Thomas looked up at me and reminded me I had promised him breakfast. Yes, that sounds funny, but I had skipped breakfast for the two of us in order to go grab a gift. I told Thomas we could get him something at Wal Mart. We sped back inside, where he would be content with nothing less than Oreos. Being the nutritionally aware kind of Mom that I am, I bought him Oreos for breakfast. I figured it really didn't matter much. It was a party day. I taught preschool long enough to know that on Valentine's and Christmas, it's a free for all the entire day. Candy, cookies, Kool-Aid, with some veggies tossed in here and there for looks.
So, yes. Oreos. Where is my gold star award for that, huh?
After dropping of my already sugar-buzzing kid to his mother's morning out class, I went home. The girls and I spent the next two and a half hours bathing, dressing, and getting our stuff together for a quick road trip. Then we piled into the van and went to pick up Thomas.
Wanna know what is rough about having one kid in a morning out program? Well, a few things, really. For one, I am not really getting the morning off. I still have three others to deal with. Two, when I have to take the entire gang to pick up the one, it means I have to unload everyone for a four minute round trip. And it was raining yesterday. Lover-ly.
We started down the road towards our rendezvous point with Lora Lynn to trade a few items. About six miles before our exit, I noted that traffic was backing up in the opposite lane. My mind started working out a plan for missing that back up on the way home.
We pulled into the parking lot of one of the town's finer dining establishments, and Lora and I quickly introduced ourselves to the newest member of the other's family. Unfortunately, this was not a visit. Just an errand. I am so glad to have that family back in the South Land. Where we can just meet in the middle for silly stuff occasionally.
True to Aubrey Form, I managed to break a glass jar filled with liquid. Because that is the kind of natural grace I was born with. Just ask my Mom. She will be happy to fill you in. Thankfully, it just cracked the jar and the liquid stayed in place while we transferred it to another container. I am thankful for small blessings.
Lora and I jumped back into our respective vehicles, each filled with children, and took off in the directions of our own towns.
Remember that backed up traffic I was planning my route around? Well, it took me over an hour to get to the exit I needed. In fact, Interstate 65 was a parking lot for about an hour yesterday. As in, turned off the vehicle, cracked all the windows, people milling about outside their cars, the girls in the car next to us making funny faces at my children, nobody is going anywhere ever parking lot.
AT LUNCH TIME!!!
While Lora had opted to actually feed her kids, I had given mine each a snack before we started out so that I could feed them at the table. It was a nice plan. A very nice plan. That never made it out of my brain. After 58 minutes (oh yes, I took note of just how long I was cooped up with four hungry and tired kids) there was movement amongst the ranks. 19 minutes later, I was up to my happy 70+ miles an hour. We took the first exit that boasted food and I fed those poor children.
As we pulled into our neighborhood, I started handing out instructions to the kids as to what they were to do once they entered the house. Within in 15 minutes, everyone was on their beds taking naps, and I was breathing normally. While the children slept, I made the necessary preparations for us to head to Huntsville for the afternoon. Doctor's appointment, a little bit of time devoted to my business, and the Family Date Night were all on order.
The original plan was to have dinner out as a family and then take a tour of the Botanical Gardens Galaxy of Lights. Folks, as you can probably imagine, it just didn't happen that way. After the doctor's appointment and the hand print stuff, Joshua and I made the command decision that the rain and fog was going to hamper the kids viewing too much to proceed to the gardens.
We opted for a nice sit down dinner at Cracker Barrel instead. We all managed to get into the building, made our way to the hostess station, and stated we needed a table for six. At which point the hostess said it would be a 25 minute wait.
The two biggest tables in the whole joint were empty! And there was not a soul on the waiting list in front of us!
I thought my brain would explode. Joshua kindly explained that we would just go elsewhere, that we just simply couldn't wait that long this night. You should know that the kids had already been trapped in the van for an hour and a half at this point. It helps to explain why we couldn't even conceive of waiting. Oh, and it was seven PM. And they hadn't had dinner yet. And I was tired. And their nap had been cut short. And, and, and...
We came all the way back to Cullman, an hours more worth of driving in the rain and waiting for the kids, before the Cracker Barrel here took all of two minutes to push together two tables for us and gave us the best server in the house. That young lady got a mighty tip, I tell you. Just for feeding me. And the rest of the family, of course.
And it didn't hurt that she praised my children liberally and commented on how good she thought I looked to have a two week old baby...
No, lets back up. To the 5AM nursing with Anna. Just so you know that my day really did start early. I could say, 'Not that I am complaining', but we all know how much I like to complain. About inconsequential stuff. So, yes. I was awake at 5AM. Seeing to my baby daughters needs. And she was needy. And stinky.
We were at Wal Mart by 7:20, me and Thomas. We rushed through the store to find a little gift for the child whose name he drew. Thankfully, we settled on something pretty quickly. Then we had to do the check out line. Did you know there were lines at 7:30 at that place? Seriously, there are.
Once we started out the door, Thomas looked up at me and reminded me I had promised him breakfast. Yes, that sounds funny, but I had skipped breakfast for the two of us in order to go grab a gift. I told Thomas we could get him something at Wal Mart. We sped back inside, where he would be content with nothing less than Oreos. Being the nutritionally aware kind of Mom that I am, I bought him Oreos for breakfast. I figured it really didn't matter much. It was a party day. I taught preschool long enough to know that on Valentine's and Christmas, it's a free for all the entire day. Candy, cookies, Kool-Aid, with some veggies tossed in here and there for looks.
So, yes. Oreos. Where is my gold star award for that, huh?
After dropping of my already sugar-buzzing kid to his mother's morning out class, I went home. The girls and I spent the next two and a half hours bathing, dressing, and getting our stuff together for a quick road trip. Then we piled into the van and went to pick up Thomas.
Wanna know what is rough about having one kid in a morning out program? Well, a few things, really. For one, I am not really getting the morning off. I still have three others to deal with. Two, when I have to take the entire gang to pick up the one, it means I have to unload everyone for a four minute round trip. And it was raining yesterday. Lover-ly.
We started down the road towards our rendezvous point with Lora Lynn to trade a few items. About six miles before our exit, I noted that traffic was backing up in the opposite lane. My mind started working out a plan for missing that back up on the way home.
We pulled into the parking lot of one of the town's finer dining establishments, and Lora and I quickly introduced ourselves to the newest member of the other's family. Unfortunately, this was not a visit. Just an errand. I am so glad to have that family back in the South Land. Where we can just meet in the middle for silly stuff occasionally.
True to Aubrey Form, I managed to break a glass jar filled with liquid. Because that is the kind of natural grace I was born with. Just ask my Mom. She will be happy to fill you in. Thankfully, it just cracked the jar and the liquid stayed in place while we transferred it to another container. I am thankful for small blessings.
Lora and I jumped back into our respective vehicles, each filled with children, and took off in the directions of our own towns.
Remember that backed up traffic I was planning my route around? Well, it took me over an hour to get to the exit I needed. In fact, Interstate 65 was a parking lot for about an hour yesterday. As in, turned off the vehicle, cracked all the windows, people milling about outside their cars, the girls in the car next to us making funny faces at my children, nobody is going anywhere ever parking lot.
AT LUNCH TIME!!!
While Lora had opted to actually feed her kids, I had given mine each a snack before we started out so that I could feed them at the table. It was a nice plan. A very nice plan. That never made it out of my brain. After 58 minutes (oh yes, I took note of just how long I was cooped up with four hungry and tired kids) there was movement amongst the ranks. 19 minutes later, I was up to my happy 70+ miles an hour. We took the first exit that boasted food and I fed those poor children.
As we pulled into our neighborhood, I started handing out instructions to the kids as to what they were to do once they entered the house. Within in 15 minutes, everyone was on their beds taking naps, and I was breathing normally. While the children slept, I made the necessary preparations for us to head to Huntsville for the afternoon. Doctor's appointment, a little bit of time devoted to my business, and the Family Date Night were all on order.
The original plan was to have dinner out as a family and then take a tour of the Botanical Gardens Galaxy of Lights. Folks, as you can probably imagine, it just didn't happen that way. After the doctor's appointment and the hand print stuff, Joshua and I made the command decision that the rain and fog was going to hamper the kids viewing too much to proceed to the gardens.
We opted for a nice sit down dinner at Cracker Barrel instead. We all managed to get into the building, made our way to the hostess station, and stated we needed a table for six. At which point the hostess said it would be a 25 minute wait.
The two biggest tables in the whole joint were empty! And there was not a soul on the waiting list in front of us!
I thought my brain would explode. Joshua kindly explained that we would just go elsewhere, that we just simply couldn't wait that long this night. You should know that the kids had already been trapped in the van for an hour and a half at this point. It helps to explain why we couldn't even conceive of waiting. Oh, and it was seven PM. And they hadn't had dinner yet. And I was tired. And their nap had been cut short. And, and, and...
We came all the way back to Cullman, an hours more worth of driving in the rain and waiting for the kids, before the Cracker Barrel here took all of two minutes to push together two tables for us and gave us the best server in the house. That young lady got a mighty tip, I tell you. Just for feeding me. And the rest of the family, of course.
And it didn't hurt that she praised my children liberally and commented on how good she thought I looked to have a two week old baby...
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Baby Matthew
So I did promise you a post about Baby Matthew. You know, the child my daughter was carrying? Ironically, he was born the same day, the same time, and measured and weighed in exactly the same as Anna Joy. Seriously, that is what his It's A Boy card said. And his little foot prints that the hospital does for us? Yup, pretty close to Anna's.
One of the nurses in the nursery was kind enough to wrap him up and make up his little card and footprints for us. She was really very sweet about it all. And when she brought Anna to meet her sisters, she tucked Matthew in right next to Anna for the ride down the hall.
Check out that look of elation on Sarah Grace's face.
I think it was love at first sight.
They even included a pacifier for little Matthew. That nurse thought of everything!
Aunt Elizabeth seeing to the nutritional needs of her nephew.
Matthew is a hot item around here. In fact, he plays second only to Anna. Both of the older girls enjoy taking care of Matthew...especially making sure that his diaper is clean. Poor kid is often diaperless, showing off his Xavier Roberts tattoo!
One of the nurses in the nursery was kind enough to wrap him up and make up his little card and footprints for us. She was really very sweet about it all. And when she brought Anna to meet her sisters, she tucked Matthew in right next to Anna for the ride down the hall.
Check out that look of elation on Sarah Grace's face.
I think it was love at first sight.
They even included a pacifier for little Matthew. That nurse thought of everything!
Aunt Elizabeth seeing to the nutritional needs of her nephew.Matthew is a hot item around here. In fact, he plays second only to Anna. Both of the older girls enjoy taking care of Matthew...especially making sure that his diaper is clean. Poor kid is often diaperless, showing off his Xavier Roberts tattoo!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Anna Joy - Day Two
Otherwise known as The Girl Party!
If you can believe it, there was snow on the ground the morning of Anna's birth. That's right, honest to goodness snow in Alabama on December 1. I have never seen that before. Ever. Due to the oddity in weather conditions, by the time Anna made her appearance that afternoon, it was so close to dark, the temps were dropping again, and we opted to have Sarah Grace and Elizabeth hold off until the next day on meeting their sister rather than risk everyone on the road in such yuck conditions.
Born and raised Alabamians don't know how to drive in cold 'weather' conditions. We don't have to. Because they DON'T happen.
On Tuesday afternoon when the girls got there, Joshua and I had just been served our gourmet steak dinner. A treat from the hospital cafeteria for new parents. It was relatively good. Not Outback by any stretch, but still, good.
When we finished up our meal, we called down to the nursery to have Anna and Matthew brought to us. (Matthew is a post unto himself, and I promise to get it up...sometime this week). The girls were thrilled over the arrival of both babies, and I honestly couldn't tell you who garnered more attention.
Despite the blah look on her face, Sarah Grace was actually quite taken with Anna. She pointed out that everyone had held her baby but her. Please can she hold Anna?
Elizabeth, on the other hand, had to be pried away from Anna. My little maternal girl. Well, maternal except for the fact that she kept squeezing Anna's nose to see if honked.
It doesn't, you know, just in case you were in any doubt.
If you can believe it, there was snow on the ground the morning of Anna's birth. That's right, honest to goodness snow in Alabama on December 1. I have never seen that before. Ever. Due to the oddity in weather conditions, by the time Anna made her appearance that afternoon, it was so close to dark, the temps were dropping again, and we opted to have Sarah Grace and Elizabeth hold off until the next day on meeting their sister rather than risk everyone on the road in such yuck conditions.Born and raised Alabamians don't know how to drive in cold 'weather' conditions. We don't have to. Because they DON'T happen.
On Tuesday afternoon when the girls got there, Joshua and I had just been served our gourmet steak dinner. A treat from the hospital cafeteria for new parents. It was relatively good. Not Outback by any stretch, but still, good.
When we finished up our meal, we called down to the nursery to have Anna and Matthew brought to us. (Matthew is a post unto himself, and I promise to get it up...sometime this week). The girls were thrilled over the arrival of both babies, and I honestly couldn't tell you who garnered more attention.
Despite the blah look on her face, Sarah Grace was actually quite taken with Anna. She pointed out that everyone had held her baby but her. Please can she hold Anna? 
Elizabeth, on the other hand, had to be pried away from Anna. My little maternal girl. Well, maternal except for the fact that she kept squeezing Anna's nose to see if honked.
It doesn't, you know, just in case you were in any doubt.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Contentment
We are home. Well, we have been home since Wednesday night, but since Joshua and I have a history of producing orange babies, we have been running back and forth to Huntsville (about an hour trip each way) for weight checks and heel pricks to check bili-rubin counts. This wears on a postpartum Mommy pretty quickly. Today, however, I am not traveling. Oh, and how I am relishing the just being home and quiet.
Yesterday brought the return of a bili-bed to our home, and Anna Joy spent the night in her pint-sized tanning bed. She was not happy about it, either, just in case you are wondering. I have a habit of pulling newborns into the bed with me so that I am not up and down all night long catering to the two hour feeding schedule. After two nights of being snuggled up with Mommy, the loneliness of the bili-bed was nearly too much for my little Anna.
Early this morning, Anna was bundled up and off she went to Huntsville with her Daddy to join him for the men's prayer breakfast at church and then go have her heel pricked...again. I am told that the men fawned over my new little daughter properly and that she was quite the charmer. Who can resist a peacefully sleeping newborn?
I, on the other hand, stayed lumped up in my nice, cozy bed and enjoyed a prolonged morning snuggled under the covers. When I woke up, there were three sets of eyes peering at me and three grinning children whispering, 'Mommy?' They all made themselves comfortable on the bed with me and chattered at me while the cobwebs of sleep slowly seeped from my brain. Once I was fully awake, Granny called out that breakfast was ready. Waffles and scrambled eggs and fruit. Yes, it was a tough morning for me.
I farther postponed the day by curling up with Elizabeth for her morning nap and going back to sleep. The next time I woke up, Joshua and Anna were home and Elizabeth was contentedly laying next to me with her lovely big eyes shining and her fingers firmly planted in her mouth. She asked to be down and went off to find her siblings for some play time while Anna joined me for a quick meal.
It is after noon now, and I have just come from the shower, only to get dressed in lounge pants and an oversized t-shirt. I have no plans to do anything today except be here and enjoy my family.
There's no place like home!!
Yesterday brought the return of a bili-bed to our home, and Anna Joy spent the night in her pint-sized tanning bed. She was not happy about it, either, just in case you are wondering. I have a habit of pulling newborns into the bed with me so that I am not up and down all night long catering to the two hour feeding schedule. After two nights of being snuggled up with Mommy, the loneliness of the bili-bed was nearly too much for my little Anna.
Early this morning, Anna was bundled up and off she went to Huntsville with her Daddy to join him for the men's prayer breakfast at church and then go have her heel pricked...again. I am told that the men fawned over my new little daughter properly and that she was quite the charmer. Who can resist a peacefully sleeping newborn?
I, on the other hand, stayed lumped up in my nice, cozy bed and enjoyed a prolonged morning snuggled under the covers. When I woke up, there were three sets of eyes peering at me and three grinning children whispering, 'Mommy?' They all made themselves comfortable on the bed with me and chattered at me while the cobwebs of sleep slowly seeped from my brain. Once I was fully awake, Granny called out that breakfast was ready. Waffles and scrambled eggs and fruit. Yes, it was a tough morning for me.
I farther postponed the day by curling up with Elizabeth for her morning nap and going back to sleep. The next time I woke up, Joshua and Anna were home and Elizabeth was contentedly laying next to me with her lovely big eyes shining and her fingers firmly planted in her mouth. She asked to be down and went off to find her siblings for some play time while Anna joined me for a quick meal.
It is after noon now, and I have just come from the shower, only to get dressed in lounge pants and an oversized t-shirt. I have no plans to do anything today except be here and enjoy my family.
There's no place like home!!
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Anna Joy - Day One
Thomas came with us to the hospital on Anna's birth day. He had a bag of books and games and crayons to keep him and Memum and Pepop busy while Joshua and I were, well, busy elsewhere. To hear tell, Thomas kept everyone highly entertained. He visited with me for a little bit before Anna's arrival, and I was indeed entertained by his views of hospital life.
After Anna made her grand entrance, my family and Thomas were escorted through L&D by my nurse. Thomas was allowed to push The Button. The button that played the lullaby through out the ward to let everyone know that a new life had arrived. This thrilled his little soul. He was also the Bearer of the Bow, which he relished in presenting to Anna.
Then came the sweetness of seeing him meet his baby sister. After the kid's obvious disenchantment with Elizabeth's arrival, I wasn't sure what to expect. However, Thomas cuddled right up and oohed and aahed over his new sister. He loved on her and talked to her and, well, my hear melted just getting to witness the moment. Make no mistake, he loves this little girl.
Before he cheerily went home with Memum and Pepop and Mimi to be spoiled cared for with much love and attention, we snuck in a partial family picture.
And then we were transferred to a room where much sleeping was done...
After Anna made her grand entrance, my family and Thomas were escorted through L&D by my nurse. Thomas was allowed to push The Button. The button that played the lullaby through out the ward to let everyone know that a new life had arrived. This thrilled his little soul. He was also the Bearer of the Bow, which he relished in presenting to Anna.
Then came the sweetness of seeing him meet his baby sister. After the kid's obvious disenchantment with Elizabeth's arrival, I wasn't sure what to expect. However, Thomas cuddled right up and oohed and aahed over his new sister. He loved on her and talked to her and, well, my hear melted just getting to witness the moment. Make no mistake, he loves this little girl.
Before he cheerily went home with Memum and Pepop and Mimi to be 
And then we were transferred to a room where much sleeping was done...
Monday, December 01, 2008
Anna Arrives!
We are delighted to welcome Baby Anna!
Born December 1st, 2008, at 3:19pm
8 pounds, 1 ounce, and 19 inches long
She's here, and Aubrey and I are thankful for an uneventful delivery and a healthy, strong little lady. Thanks to all for your prayers, and to our Lord for another little miracle placed under our care.
Just So You Know...
We are headed out the door to go to the hospital. While we are there, we will be getting a baby!!! =) Prayers coveted!!!
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