6 Weeks Already

OK it came way too fast! Bonnie is already 6 weeks old! Where did the time go? "She is soo adorable." (I love it when Khora says it.) This week she started cooing more and also gave me some smiles. She's been getting those cute little rolls in her legs and arms and is also sporting a double chin. Isaac says that she has chubby cheeks. It makes me laugh when Afton will hand her back to me and say, "she's so heavy!" She seams to have grown out of her fussy time at night as well as stretching her outfits to their limit. I think she's going to be tall. So, she's doing great!!
We went to church today with our ward for the first time. I survived! Our family has graduated to a big bench now. We had to give Jacob lots of advanced warning that this would happen because he doesn't like change.
Physically, aside from the extra pounds I'm hanging on to, I'm doing great. Emotionally, it's another story.Yesterday I went on a little shopping spree for a few shirts and things and that helped a bit. It's a day to day thing. "Only the squeaky wheel gets oiled", and somedays I feel like I'm living with just my head above of water. I heard some time ago that after 3 kids you can handle 10, but today that feels like such a lie! And it's not the baby, it's the other children. I asked Dennis if I went through this when the other children came and he said yes, every time, so I'm sure I'll adjust . . eventually. Having older children does help some days. I don't think I'd get anything done without them really.

Gnocchi

When I was in Pittsburgh a good friend of mine introduced me to a new eastern pasta with one of those hard to pronounce names, gnocchi, (you say it "yawn-key"). Last year I actually bought a ricer so that I could make this potato based dish, but still didn't attempt it. Then finally this week I made gnocchi for the very first time. It only took me 3 days to get it done, but that's the story with most projects these days.

Here is the recipe I followed:
2lbs baked potatoes put through a ricer
1 3/4 cup flour
salt to taste.

Mix it by hand until like a play-do consistency, roll out like your making a snake and cut into little pieces, pressing with a fork for a little shape. Cook in boiling water, until they float to the top. I served it with Rague and Parmesan cheese and or course garlic bread. It passed the family test and is a definite make again

Mine was a little on the dry side and I wasn't sure exactly how many potatoes I used since they were left overs, so I had to wet my hands when I worked the dough to get it to stick together. These little guys are very filling so it fed my family and we still had lots of left overs. Perfect for a quick Sunday lunch before church.

Strawberries

I picked the first real batch of strawberries from our strawberry patch today. The children have been picking a few early ones for a couple weeks, but they are really coming on now. When I walked outside however, I scared two robins out of it and while they got away with a big fat juice berry, which they ate in the middle of the road where they dropped it, I am currently making plans to protect my investment. Even if it means posting a child outside all day, (Actually, I think our cat has taken up a pretty strategic spot next to the box.) "I'm not raising bird food" I exclaimed to Dennis, who wasn't as completely offended at this blatant robbery as I was. He has enough of a sharing spirit not to see anything wrong with letting them have a couple. I am of the opinion, though, that once they know they're there, they'll pick it clean. I'll keep you posted on my war strategies once they are in place.

So what are my plans for this delicious looking hoard you may ask? Well, let's just say that those of you who find yourselves in our company this Sunday will be enjoying an icy cold, creamy, dairy delicious treat! YUM!!!

One Month Old

Our little Bonnie is now a month old. She looks to be filling out more, she's got the little chunky cheeks and does have a few little rolls in her legs. I love chunky babies! Her "fussy time" at night is shortening now which makes going to bed a lot easier. She's a very good sleeper and will usually sleep about 5-6 hours at night before she wakes up. She loves being held, will take a pacifier, has made a few cooing noises, and will fall right to sleep when we drive in the van. Her hair is getting a little lighter but there is still lots of it. I love her hair. I'm still hopeful that her eyes will be blue, but we'll still have to wait and see. She is such a beautiful little baby who gets lot and lots of love and attention from each of her siblings. They all help out a lot with her. Little Bonnie has brought such a peace into our home with her presence. What a welcome joy she is as part of our family.

Pockets

Set up: Khora goes to put her "phone" into her pocket in shorts that don't have pockets and says:

"My pockets are gone. Someone took them."

Me, "Who took them?"

Khora, "Jacob took them."

Me, "Where did he put them?"

Khora, "In my bed room."

Bball & Camp

This week we've been all about baseball and scout camp. Jacob and Isaac are right in the middle of baseball season. Both are really enjoying it and have great teams and awesome coaches. A great coach really makes a difference. Both boys are doing great. Isaac likes to be the clean up hitter on the team and has had some great catches as well. His team is the Athletics. Jacob has really had some great hits and is a fast runner. He is playing with the Rockies this season.

Isaac went to his first scout camp this week. He was a little nervous at going alone but had a great time. His favorite part was the archery. He came home all excited and full of fun stories to tell us.

Jacob and Dennis went to Weblos camp this week also.While they were eating dinner they could see their breath so decided to come home a little early. Jacob's favorite part was having his dad there and riding in the boats. He also enjoyed making rockets and launching them.

So that's what we've been up to these days.

At 2 Weeks Old

Bonnie is two weeks old. Already she's at 8lbs 3 oz and 21" long. (Could this mean she is going to be another tall one??) She's starting to get into a routine as well. She's really been good at night and we've both been able to sleep. She has her venting time before she falls asleep, which is really her only fussy time all day. She hates getting dressed, is getting better about getting her diapers changed and loves being talked to. She falls right to sleep when we get in the car and sleeps really well during the day. She's a great little eater! I can't tell if her eyes are dark or blue yet though. It's always the question with me of whether or not I'll have another blue eyed baby. (I only have one, Khora.)

We went in for her 2 week check today and Khora went for 3 year check. Afton of course came with. All was going well until the shots! Khora almost ripped the needle out before she was done and was pretty upset because it hurt. Poor little Bonnie had to have that awful blood test that takes forever with them screaming. Both the other girls were pretty upset with that. When all was done though I looked at Afton, who looked pretty green and asked her if she was ok. She said no that her head hurt. Then she got sick! So, yea a little drama today. Two babies crying and a sick helper!

I look at Bonnie and wonder, how can one little girl have such a strong hold on my heart in such a short amount of time. I still feel very anxious when she's not right next to me, but I put her in the bassinet anyway so I can get something done in the house. She is such a good baby and so loved. I find that I have more patience with her here and that I love our other children even more as well. Funny how that happens, your heart doesn't have to move over to make room it just expands.

I've also come to feel so much more for Dennis. He took a week off work after she was born and last week he went back to work with full force! I miss him when he's not here! Not just because he does things for me that I can't, but because I like having him near me. I guess it's all part of the expanding thing again. "Children are a testament to love."