Independence Day - 2012

Happy 4th of July! 

with love from all of us

Caeden - 7 yrs

Colm - 5 yrs

Alannah - 3 1/2 yrs

Tadhg - almost 2

Ailish - 9 months

Colm was trying to make her laugh but she just looked at him like he was crazy ;-)!

This boy is too cute and always barefoot

Halfway!

Alternately titled the easiest way to do your first 20 weeks.......

After Ailish was born I thought around a years break would be good before having another baby. I thought a summer not pregnant would be nice, after spending the last 2 hugely pregnant. It might give me a chance to loose a little of that lingering baby weight ;-).... we were open to another baby whenever it might happen, but I was kinda hoping for a tiny break. 

Well, sometimes God answers in very unique ways. I got a little break. And He met me halfway. We are getting another little blessing. And I just found out about 3 weeks ago that I was even pregnant. And then last Friday, found out that contrary to my thoughts that I was 'at least 8 weeks along, but probably more like 10-12, and wow, wouldn't it be great if it was any further then that' to finding out at my first visit to the midwife that I was 19 weeks, 4 days along........ yep, halfway thru the pregnancy already! Do have any idea the strange feeling that is? Still adjusting to the thought  that I was pregnant to begin with, to find out that I have been pregnant since sometime in February and didn't realize it till the end of May? It certainly adds some fun to a routine pregnancy and a fun story for the 6th child to have! And makes me feel a wee bit better about that 5 pounds I was so proud of losing one month just to gain back the next ;-) And explained why, once I realized I was pregnant, I really started feeling big and showing so much already! Plus, I really had no idea I was pregnant, none of the early nausea, decreased bladder size, losing my taste of coffee and other food aversions, I have really felt so good and the last month or two especially had increased energy and motivation. Truly, His grace is sufficient and He never gives what we cannot handle with his strength!

Of course, at the dr's appointment they did an ultrasound to determine my due date since I didn't have any idea how far along I was. She started with feeling my belly and said right away she thought I was farther along then 8-10 weeks judging from the size of my belly and such. Then she couldn't get the measurements to calculate on the portable one, she said she didn't have much experience measuring a baby that big! Even I could tell from what we were seeing baby was bigger then all the other early ultrasounds I have had. So, the actual ultrasound tech had me come in and she checked. She ended up measuring body, head and thigh to get sizing and determined the 19 weeks, 4 days along, with a due date of November 4, 2012. 

I told her we would love to know what it is, if she could see anything ;-) And so she checked and HE was happy to let us know is a little boy that we have coming, confirming our thoughts it would be a boy! 

I got to send Kieran a fun text with a picture of the little fella and tell him how big he is. Got to love today's technology! We told the kids that evening they were getting another brother and they are all thrilled and excited. 

(see post below for Ailish's 9 month post..... I don't normally post 2 at the same time!)

9 months

Ailish - 9 months

Sweet baby girl, how are you 9 months already? You have such a sweet personality and laid-back attitude. So happy and content most of the time to play quietly wherever I might set you down. You love to interact with your brothers and sister. The older ones make you laugh and Tadhg, well, he either plays nicely with you or not. I have had to rescue you from his loving grasp more then once ;-) 

You are scooting, pushing in all directions and getting around a little. No crawling and no rolling from back to front yet. You have 4 teeth on top and 2 on the bottom. Still in size 2 diapers and 9-12 months clothing. You love to grab at everything and most everything heads straight for your mouth. You are in a very clingy to mama stage right now and pretty much don't like anyone else except Da holding you. We've started supplementing your nursing with bottles some and you are doing fine with the transition. 

Love you Little A!

Seven

Happy 7th Birthday

Caeden Sean

Yep, that's the cake pretty much falling apart..... in case you were wondering strawberry shortcake frosted around with only whip cream doesn't hold together overly well ;-) 

It tasted good though!

And Caeden specified the writing on it, including spelling out 7 

We also had steak, corn on the cob and cheesy roasted potatoes for dinner, pizza for lunch and bacon, irish sausage and eggs for breakfast. 

Girly girls

Backyard fun!

Tadhg

Tadhg is now 21 months and has started calling all his siblings by name in the last couple weeks, it's really cute as I realized he was calling them. He says "Colm" the most clearly, and Caeden & Alannah if you are listening for it, you can hear the names. Just today he started saying Ailish, though it sounds a bit more like just the A sound, he was for sure talking about her. His voacabulary is ever expanding at a quick rate. He will repeat just about any word after you and can make his requests fairly well known with words. Today he asked for "treat please", it was too cute. The other day he said "shirt put on"

(And no.... he still hasn't had a haircut!)