Introducing Arthur Cody

Baby boy is already 3 weeks old...thinking it was time for some photos and an update.

Arthur Cody was born April 17th, 2013 at 10:05 am. He weighed in at 8 lbs 2 oz and was 22 inches long. 

He is the largest baby we have had...could be because he was born 2 weeks after my 'due date'.

About 1/2 hour old...cord hadn't even been cut yet.

About an hour old...snuggled up in the sling and getting ready to get weighed.

Proud big sister, Charlie, just can't get enough of him. 

That big dent in his forehead got much better overnight. He was kind of cock-eyed in the birth canal while I was in labor and he had his head pressed up to one side of my pelvic bone.

5 days old...chilling out on the top of mom's desk as she was working away on paperwork...there is no maternity leave when you run your own business.

He was born at home...quick delivery after a long labor.

Birth story coming soon...

God bless!

A Little Monday Update

Hello Monday!

These little ones make my heart sing!

Yes - I'm still pregnant. No - I won't be forever. 

The kids were able to spend Saturday night and part of Sunday with grandma Lu and papa Joe. They had a blast...got to go out for supper, out for breakfast and got to spend the night at uncle Gene's cabin.

I was able to get carpet shampooed and a couple of closets cleaned out...and was able to sleep in a little Sunday morning.

Between the middle of last week and over the weekend, we were able to get the rest of the greenhouse planted. Hopefully soon I will be seeing little seedlings popping up - potatoes, green beans, peas, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, celery, dill, cucumbers, melons, and more.

My hens are loving that the snow is gone and the weather has been warmer. They are making their way all over the lawn and loving that they can get close to the deck and to my compost bucket.

The cats may drive me crazy - I'm always kicking them out of the garage...but this morning they redeemed themselves. One caught and killed a rat overnight. They of course didn't eat it, but brought it to the front door to show off their handy work.

The pup, Hershey, may just be part cat. He seems to have 9 lives. After Joe dropped a post on him earlier this winter, he managed to feel better and be back to himself in less then a week. And over the weekend, he got into something and was looking very sickly - wouldn't eat or drink and just laying around. Two doses of penicillin and extra rest and he seems back to normal this morning.

We also butchered a 2 year old steer last week. This time we had a local man come out and slaughter him here on the farm, then he hauled him into the butcher for us. It was a great deal and we didn't have to spend a morning getting him loaded ourselves and hauling him in. I can't wait to refill the freezer.

Nothing is really scheduled for this week...maybe a baby??

Stay tuned.

God bless!

What to do on your due date.....

.....plant the greenhouse of course!

My 'due date' was yesterday and I spent the day working, helping plant the greenhouse and answering numerous texts like - "baby yet??".

Soon...it will be soon.

God bless!

Baby #4 - 39 Weeks

39 weeks pregnant and I've fielded calls from my mom, my mother-in-law and my dad and a few texts from friends in the past few days wondering if baby has arrived yet. I guess everyone else is as excited as we are to meet the little one.

I'm feeling good. Baby has dropped a little. I'm having random contractions, too. I would say we are getting closer. I had a midwife appointment earlier this week and everything looks good. I'm measuring right on for my 'due date' and baby is still really active.

Everything is ready on this end...birthing tub is blown up, midwife supplies are sitting here, there is extra food in the freezer and I have managed to stay on top of the laundry all week.

We will keep you all posted.

God bless!

Set Apart Conference

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Set Apart Conference with my dear friend, Alice.

It was two days of great fellowship with old friends and new friends and lots of wonderful preaching and teaching...both encouraging and convicting.

I managed to make it through the weekend feeling good...and only a couple of contractions.

I'm so glad I was able to go. With baby coming any time now, I won't be able to get away for too long for the next year or so.

Ann Voskamp spoke both Friday and Saturday morning and she was wonderful.

We got to meet her and got hugs Friday afternoon and I was able to track her down again on Saturday and had her sign my One Thousand Gifts book. 

She is just cute and sweet and humble.

Liz Curtis Higgs spoke both afternoon and she too was awesome and very funny.

The worship team was wonderful.

Thank you Alice for thinking of me and inviting me along.

God bless!

Baby #4 - 37 Weeks

Not a very good photo, but as you can tell baby is growing.

I'm about 37 weeks now and measuring about 2 weeks ahead. Which means nothing...at my appointment before then I was measuring a week behind. Baby is head down, but still very high.

I'm feeling well though and looking forward to meeting this little one.

Names are still up in the air and we will not decide until after the birth...stay tuned.

God bless!