Hector and Mom in the Hospital

Hector and I weren't the best of teammates in his first 48 hours.

Granted, my memories of my other kiddos' first days were a bit foggy.

This was my first non-NICU kiddo in over 9 years! 

So, the reality of a newborn that preferred to have me struggle for 30+ minutes, 

trying to get him to latch, only to then latch himself the moment I gave up in exhaustion, 

was not wonderful.

He was super sweet, though, when he wasn't refusing to latch!

So, I decided to take advantage of my C-Section by staying the full two nights, 

other than just one as I had for the previous three.

It gave the new little guy and I more time to try to work well together.

It also gave me more rest and good snuggle time that I knew 

would be fought for at home by all the siblings.

Love, Us.

And Then There Were Six!

The five were able to meet their newest little sibling when he was just a few hours old.

Everyone was VERY excited!

Thérèse and David spent a lot of energy vying for "their time" with Hector.

On Saturday, as well, the crew came to take care of Hector 

while Grandma and Mom went to Mass downstairs.

Love, Us.

Hector's Entrance!

There was much back and forth between the doctors and I about 

when Hector was going to join us on the outside.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, one unfelt contraction during a non-stress test 

solidified his early arrival at 37 weeks and one day: March 8th.

It being too late for steroids and 6 days earlier than Romeo and Evangeline (my non-breathers), 

we were mentally prepped that we may first be able to hold the little guy in a NICU, once again.

Also, I was recovering from a horrible cold, but my lungs were clear enough for the surgery.

And so, we braced ourselves for Hector's entrance.

Everything went smoothly, and the little guy came out screaming (and peeing!) right around 11am!

This guy definitely had NO trouble breathing! Yay!

Dark, curly? hair and 7lb 7oz. 

He was our littlest member thus far, but he sure was our cutest!

At first they were pretty concerned about my super low blood pressure, 

(which my mom informed me later I inherited from my father)

but they seemed to accept it eventually, 

and we were able to say goodbye to Labor and Delivery after a couple hours.

Love, Us.

Waiting for Hector with Grandma

Grandma came to help with childcare as we welcomed Hector into the fold.

This, of course, meant that we had our time of waiting documented with pictures!

Art projects are always a must with Grandma.

The kids' days were full in order to make the time pass quickly.

Park time.

Chores.

And we even talked Grandma into joining a few rounds of Pinochle!

Love, Us.

Days Leading up to Hector

OK. I'm trying to spend a little less time gazing at my beautiful little boy

in order to get a bit more order back in my days.

Blogging will hopefully soon become a regular phenomenon around here.

For today, here are some pictures of the days leading up to Hector joining us.

EV practiced with her dollies.

We opened some baby gifts from Oma.

We had our last game night as a family of 7.

And we prepped our Lent!

Love, Us.

Hector Has Come!

We were blessed with a very healthy (Des Gratias!) little (7lb 7oz) boy on March 8th at 9am!

He is truly a joy and a gem.

I promise...many more pictures and family time moments to share soon.

For today, here he is with his most constant companion, besides ol' mom.

Love, Us.

What We've Been Reading: January-February 2019

I've decided to start a new "type" of post here every month.

I'm going to share all of the books that we have been enjoying, either individually or together.

I am also trying out Amazon links for the first time ever.

So...if you click through and end up buying anything off Amazon soon after, 

I could get a slight commission!

Anyways...on to the important stuff...the books!

Since this is my first "installment", it will be covering more than a month's worth of reads.

In general, these are the books that we have enjoyed so far in 2019. 

My Pre-Reading

I've just added "pre-reading" to my regular school chores around here.
I am really enjoying it so far, and I think it will prove to be super helpful for the kids, as far as making sure I am picking enjoyable, good literature for them that is at the correct reading level.
David is really enjoying graphic novels right now, as you will see below. So, I have also been able to enjoy a few as pre-reads for him.

The Action Bible is what I am currently pre-reading for David. It is super well done and enjoyable. However, I think I will hold off on putting it on his "list" until 5th grade. I think the language will be a bit challenging for him right now.
Blake and Mortimer's The Mystery of the Great Pyramid was super enjoyable as well, but also needs to be shelved for a couple years before David is ready for it, reading-wise.
Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller was yet another graphic novel that I read for David. It wasn't my favorite style of graphic novel (more wordless pictures and "sound effect" scenes than I care for), but it was also very well done. The content of this book, however, will probably keep it "shelved" for a few years before handing it over to David.
My last pre-read for David was The Mayor of Central Park by Avi. It was very cute. I am constantly amazed by the various genres that Avi is able to successfully write in!
For Thérèse, I have pre-read many books, but she is almost caught up to me, so Tuesdays at the Castle is the only book that I am "ahead" of her with right now. I am almost through it, and I'm sure she will enjoy it thoroughly!

My Personal Reading

In Conversation with God: This give me little pearls daily to bring my prayer to a deeper level.

Preparation for Total Consecration: I am en route to completing my third consecration on the Feast of the Annunciation.

Food: A Love Story is what Joe and I have been reading aloud together at bedtime. Hilarious!

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency: I found this at Goodwill and decided to give it a try. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will definitely continue reading the series in my spare time.

The Grace of Yes: For a ladies group that I have joined.

Damien the Leper: I'm loving it!

Jo's Boys: I read Little Women and Little Men back in the day, but never read this sequel. It was a bit daunting recalling all the names, but other than that it has been very enjoyable.

Home Education: I am slowly working my way through, taking down many quotes in my notebook.

Opening Your Heart: The current CWOC study.

My Read-Alouds

These are the books that I have been/am reading aloud to the kids.

Peter and the Starcatchers: SUPER enjoyable. A truly great read-aloud for boys and girls!

Frindle: Currently almost through with this one, and the kids are already planning out what words they are going to create and start a fad with!

The Joyful Mysteries of Life: I am reading this to T as a part of her moral/health formation. I HIGHLY promote this book for a first introduction to female/male adolescent conversations.

T's Reading (soon-to-be 11 years old)

T is becoming a voracious reader. 

Not all of these are from 2019, but considering all of the other crafts and projects she always has going on simultaneously, I think this pile is very impressive!

Her favorite series so far: The Wide Awake Princess!

A hard-to-find series that we picked up at a second hand store when she was probably two, and she finally got to enjoy this winter: Lily Quench.

Two books that dad "assigned" her to read for her own edification: 

The Daring Book for Girls and The Book of Virtues

Two books that were assigned as a part of her curriculum this year: 

Rare Catholic Stories and The Father Brown Reader

I have a pre-teen! So, as a part of her health and wellness curriculum she is reading through 

The Care and Keeping of You slowly.

Lastly, her current personal read, which she is LOVING: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

D's Assigned Reading (9 years old)

As a third grader, D is just starting to have a portion of his 

literature-based schooling assigned to him to read independently.

Here are a few that he has been assigned in the past couple months.

Squanto: Friend of the Indians - This is absolutely perfect for his reading level.

Beyond Treasure Valley: I have picked up several of these wonderful old readers along the way. 

Daniel Boone: I am actually reading this aloud to D as a part of his history. 

Encyclopedia Brown: T and D read these books together, 

taking turns reading pages, for Family Librandi Bucks.

D's Free Reading (9 years old)

D has become quite the voracious reader recently.

It was the well-beloved Hergé who turned on his love for reading.

He absolutely tore through all of The Adventures of Tintin.

We even came across one of Hergé's other series books, 

The Valley of the Cobras, which D quickly consumed. 

Now he (at my request) has moved on to regular chapter books. 

He is enjoying the Poppy series by Avi...currently half-way through book #2.

T and D's Listening

Rainy afternoons and craft days have brought about hours of audio listening over the winter months.

D prefers fables and fairy tales, specifically Aesop's Fables (a fabulous collection!) 

and Classic Fairy Stories (also very well done).

T has leaned towards larger stories, beginning with Rush Revere and now moving through 

Laura Ingalls Wilder: Little House in the Big Woods followed by Little House on the Prairie.

P's School Reading (6 years old)

Patrick is just starting to put sounds together into words, and I dare say he is going splendidly!

His basic "reader" is from the All About Reading series: Run, Bug, Run!

We also found a few series of Lego early readers at Goodwill, which he is really enjoying.

We are also still loving the Catholic Children's Treasure Box series. 

He isn't reading these, but they are definitely a favorite of ours in Kindergarten.

P and R's books (6 and 4 years old)

We are always reading pictures books around here, 

but I thought I'd share a couple of the little boys' favorite authors/series right now.

If you ask me, you just can't beat a classic Bill Peet story.

I've found some that are new-to-me at the second-hand story recently, and LOVE them!

The boys also just can't seem to get enough of Skippyjon Jones. 

The giggles that constantly erupt while being read those books are amazing!

Here are some story books that the kids always enjoy.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee: Such a sweet story with beautiful illustrations!

Miss Suzy: We have a very old, beat-up copy. However, the kids just LOVE it.

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi: definitely an absolute favorite in the house.

Some EV favorites (2 years old)

EV is really getting into "reading" lately.
Romeo is actually her favorite person to read to her.
He does such a great job telling her the stories!
In the board book category (her "potty" books): These Super Hero Readers are a total hit.
I found one of my favorite children's stories in board book form: Five Minutes Peace.
She is very attached to these 5 Minute Princess Stories when we have story time.

On Joe's side table

Exodus 90 has definitely increased the reader in Joe this last month or two.
Here is what he has been reading:
Martin the Warrior: Reading aloud to the kids when he has a moment here and there.
Instant Rapport: for work, but he found it VERY interesting
The Road to Character: a gift from a friend that he enjoyed, to a degree
Plot Perfect: He is still mulling over his novel.
I'm sure he'll start going strong on it again sometime soon.
Exodus 90 (the readings): This program has been such a blessing for him and the family!
Difficult Conversations: The "work" book he is currently reading
His New Bible, which he is VERY excited about! He can't wait for a full-length version to come out.

Love, Us.