Ka-Boom!!

The bomb went off this morning. In bed. On me.

Let me explain.

My dear boy hasn't pooped in quite a while. After this post the other day, he did have a small amount of what I will call liquid come out of his bottom, but nothing substantial. The only other emmisions were enough to knock me over a few times.

So this morning, we are laying in bed. He stirs. I look at the cell phone. Hmm. 7-something a.m. An OK time to wake up. I sit up, turn on the light, and begin to nurse My Little Man. He coos up at me, I smile and coo back at him.

Since I am still in the very early post-partum phase of things, my body is still trying to rid itself of excess moisture. My little one also is a furnace. Needless to say, perspiration is a part of life at night under the thick coverings of our king-sized bed. So when my itty-bitty heater passes the now quite usual large amount of very loud gas, I think nothing of it. I assume the wetness I feel on the back of his onesie is simply a little leftover of me and him being cozy warm together all night.

Um, no.

I lifted him up to burp him and looked down only to find a cadmium yellow colored pool of poo climbing up the back of his onesie. Oh yeah - and it was on my leg, my arm, and my hand.

I immediately screamed in horrow, I mean, called for help. Wobbers, the good boy he is, came through with a waterproof pad to put under him, a flat prefold diaper for on top of that, two wet cloth wipes, and a fresh clean cloth diaper.

I quickly layed him down, peeled off his onesie, and discarded it to the floor. I managed to not get the poo on his head which I was thankful for. The smell of stuff that has been stuck up in your little one's small intestine for the good part of a week, even though it is "just" breastmilk poo, can be quite overbearing....just in case you were wondering. I can only imagine what it would be like if it wasn't breastmilk sustaining him.

I took a deep breath and peeled back the diaper. Oh my!! Lots of poo. I quickly pulled it up and popped it into the make-shift diaper pail next to my bed. Keeping both of his legs high in the air, I proceeded to give him a "bath" with the two cloth wipes at my disposal. Once he was sufficiently cleaned up, I rediapered him, wiped off myself, and went to wash out the onesie.

I also disinfected my hands with bleach, umm, washed my hands and took the time to pee myself.

What a great morning. :)

~H

How We Feel About Babies....

They are such nice ways to start people.



That's me and my little ones on a field trip to a McCain-Palin rally. It was really quite a day!

And here's how our two candidates for president feel about babies -



Did you hear? Obama says, "...that's above my pay grade," when asked about when a baby becomes a human. McCain says, "At conception."

Obama also says, "If [my daughters] make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."

I didn't realize babies were punishments.

~H

Tick, Tick, Tick......

My 2 month old has not pooped in three days. His toots are quite stinky. I am waiting for the bomb to go off and I pray we are at home when it happens. Not even his cloth diapers, which keep blowouts in far better than disposables (which I know from personal experience), are going to keep this one in. I also hope he has some artical of clothing on which we do not care about very much.

Now, I know it is quite normal at his age in life for breastfed babies to have very different pooping patterns. Anywhere from having poop in every diaper to having poop once a week is normal.

However, my babies have always been closer to the "poop in every diaper" range. This whole NOT pooping thing is new to me. I've heard it has to do with the babes ability to be very efficent with absorbtion and digestion. Great. But there's a little timebomb just waiting for me around every corner.

More for those we love who are far away.....

Here's a few more pictures for you Aunt S. They're getting sooo big!!

She's a big girl.

And she loves it when the camera is out! Here's some rare footage of the two of them in the tub. She doesn't usually want a bath and he usually gets in the shower with me - so this is rare indeed.



This is me with them both in slings. Am I crazy? See his little head there poking out of the top in a hooded sweatshirt? Too darn cute!!

Oh, and my Little Man with Daddy. They are so sweet together. My husband's just a great big Teddy Bear.

I didn't realize until now how tired I look in this photo. Oh well. Not the best pic of me but those two sleeping blondes are great.

What Can You Do In 3 Hours?

Well, lets see. That depends on how many kids you have around. When I have my newborn keeping my tightly strapped in a chair nursing, combined with my toddler pulling items out of cupboards, closets, drawers, and bags, and my eight year old asking "What's this?", "How do you...?", "Can I do.....", the answer is not much.

When EVERYBODY but you is asleep -

Sort unusually large amount of laundry for washing
Resort clothes already sorted by eight year old earlier in the day
Fold 5 loads of laundry
Wash and dry 4 loads of laundry
Make tomorrow's lunch for family
Have a snack
Not share your Haagen Daz ice cream with toddler
Wash dishes from making lunch
Wash dishes from cooking meat for the week (which were left out from the 2 hours spent cooking earlier)
Pick up toddler's toys in living room
Catch up on great TV show about Duggar Family
Get diapers ready for bed time
Wash dishes found around the house
Pick up (MORE) dirty laundry found around the house
Take clean laundry to rooms they belong in
Have a nice glass of peach-iced-tea (made earlier)
Update your blog in peace

What a nice time by myself!! Although, I'm sure I'll be tired tomorrow. :)

Thanks be to GOD!

It is right to give Him thanks and praise!!

And now for some things to be thankful for.......

Wobbers and his Little Man. He's such a proud big brother

Ain't he cute?


Ok, this is WAY cuter! Isn't that the neatest little face?

Awake in Mama's arms...waiting for the milk.....

And completely out!

I just love my little people. They're such nice way to start adults. :0)

More political stuff tomorrow. Smile today!!

Something A Wee Bit (and just a wee bit) different

Although I wish I could take credit for this next bit, I can't. I don't know who wrote it, but it was forwarded to me through email by My Dear Friend M., whom I don't know what I would do without.

We both agree whoever did write it deserves a HUGE pat on the back! ~~

THE JOB - URINE TEST

Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test.

Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their A--, doing drugs, while I work. . . . Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?

I guess we could title that program, 'Urine or You're Out'. ~~

I love that one.

The other thing I want you to think about during this election season is what other things you'd rather not pay for with your tax dollars. Would you like to pay for, say, abortion? That's what Barack Obama wants you to do. FOCA not only would make abortion available on demand but it would also require our tax dollars to fund and abortion for anyone who wants one.

How do you like them apples?

~H

It's a Mad, Mad World or Know Who You're Voting For (Vol. 7)

Please consider the content of this video and think about what feelings and thoughts it provokes in you when you are trying to decide which candidate is good and which candidate is evil.

(**Warning: do not watch this video with your children around. You'll want to view it first to decide if the content is appropriate for your family.)



And equally relevant viewing is this video.



Again, you decide.

~H

Genocide Anyone? or Know Who You're Voting For (Vol. 6)

I remember reading in my history books about someone who was a master of genocide. In fact, he was so good at it that he didn't have to do it alone. He convinced a whole nation of people to get behind him and help. Eventually, they didn't even need his convincing anymore. They were more than happy to kill the "enemy" on their own.

He was a very well-liked man. An eloquent speaker. The country he was leader of was coming out of a financial crisis. When he was campaigning to be in charge he promised "big changes" and the people loved him for it.

Once he gained power, the country did start to make a turn-around. The economy got better. They became a wealthy nation again. They loved him so much. He had them right where he wanted them. They would do anything their "savior" asked.

A few years later, six million people were dead. Six. Million. 6,000,000.

His reign of genocide was so epic they called it The Holocaust.

His name was Adolf Hitler.

Whose genocide will reign next?

48,000,000+ and counting babies killed since Roe v. Wade.

You decide.

~H

Why I do Montessori

As I was sitting here, reading away over at Candy Rant, I suddenly noticed it was far, far too quiet.

My eight year old was holding the baby and watching Star Wars, Episode III (his favorite). Said baby was asleep. But the usually audible musings of my toddler were not to be heard.

I turned around to find her with the Basic H sprayer in her hands as she calmly sits at her table. She is squeezing the trigger. I lean back a little so that I can see her table at an angle where the sunlight illuminates it. What do I see? Lots of little liquidy puddles.

"Wet," I say.

"Whet, whet, whet!!" she says back.

Oh boy.

We clean up the table with some paper towels and I proceed to inspect the rest of the living room. Wouldn't ya know there's a lot of "whet" all around - on the ottoman, the table, the floor. Ooo-wee, fun, fun, fun.

I gotta finish setting up my Montessori shelves.

~H

Obama's Abortion Marketing Machine or Know Who You're Voting For (Vol. 5)

I can't even take credit for this one. Click here to visit Reasoned Audacity. They say it better than I today.

~H

+JMJ+
Pray for us!!

Abortion Marketing or Know Who You're Voting For (Vol. 4)

Senator Barack Obama has promised the first thing he will do as President is to sign the "Freedom of Choice Act". Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? "Freedom of Choice Act"



Did you hear him say, "...it's about playing offense."? We have to play offense? Against babies? And just what exactly have they done to us?

I can't even stand it. Who does this guy think he is?

~H

Contradiction or Know Who You're Voting For (Vol. 3)

Doesn't it seem odd to you that someone who is pro-choice is also anti-war?

Think about it. How can you be pro-killing and be anti-killing?

It's kind of like many liberals in the "big city" close to where I live (in rural America) where the majority is pro-death (oh, I'm sorry, I meant pro-choice. I don't know what came over me) but anti-death penalty. Huh?! You think we should kill the innocent and spare the guilty? That makes sense to you?

Does it make sense to you?

As a Catholic, neither is OK with me. But as a previous agnostic, I was pretty darn OK with the death penalty and assumed the issue of abortion had not too much to do with me since I knew I'd never have one.

I promise to publish a post at some later time about how I became vehemently pro-life. For now, let me simply explain my problem with this contradiction I see in society with these two issues.

I, myself, struggle with the issue of the death penalty. As a Catholic, I am to believe that life is to be honored from conception to natural death. So I pray fervently for humility and courage to know that all life, including that which has committed grave sin, is worthy. After all, but for the Grace of God have I been brought to the Church and His forgiveness.

What I just don't understand is how someone can claim that they are "pro-choice" and at the same time oppose the death penalty. By their own definition they say that the life of a criminal is worth saving.

What crime has the unborn committed?

~H

Does Obama have a Birth Certificate? or Know Who You're Voting For (Vol. 2)

Google 'obama crimes' to find out more info on this topic. Click on the first choice. Or just click here.

It appears a U.S. citizen (a democrat, nonetheless) has sued Barack Obama basically to make him show proof of citizenship.

Let's all think back to Jr. High and Gradeschool social studies classes. To be President of the United States you must:

Be a natural-born citizen.
Be at least 35 years of age.


So, if you are running for president and you are a citizen, why not just show proof that you are instead of playing games with the judicial system?

Things that make you go hmmmm......

~H

Pardon the Dust.....

I'm going to try and get comfy in here again. We'll see how I like it.

At some point I may invest in a custom (everybody say it with me....."oooooo") layout. For now, I am going to experiement with the free ones.

How do you like it? Better than the old one? Leave a comment and let me know.

~H

Per Request.....

Here's the pictures YOU asked for (you know who you are):

Isn't she beautiful? Of course, she thinks she's 18, but we're working on that. :)

Another beautiful girl? Or is it time to start saying "woman"? Either way, they grow up too fast.

Two more fast asleep on Mama's lap. So sweet.

Here they are again. Teenagers. Gotta love 'em. Don't they look sweet? You'd never think it be difficult to parent one of these little ones.

Oh, and there they are. My three little babies and my big Baby. Poor guy. He's been temporarily replaced with my Little Man. I'll be back soon, Honey, I promise.

~H

Know Who You're Voting For (Vol. 1)

Watch this video and see if you can muster up the strength to go on. God needs our good will, and our good vote against this evil.

What strikes me as, I don't know, CRAZY is that some people will actually think that this is made up, or is a flat out lie, or that Obama might deny it. But he doesn't folks. Just in case you missed it on national television - click here. Forward the debate to 1:10:00 and watch until 1:14:35. Just 4 and a half minutes of your time folks. That's all I ask.

Here's a recap of what was said with my emphasis and [comments]:

McCain: We have to change the culture of America. [Yes! It's nice to know that one of these guys sees that.] Those of us who are proudly pro-life understand that. And it's got to be courage and compassion that we show to a young woman who's facing this terribly difficult decision.

Senator Obama as a member of the Illinois State Senate voted in the Judiciary Committee against a law [Pay attention here, against a law] that would provide immediate medical attention to a child born as a failed abortion. He voted against that. [Again, against the law to save a live child.] And then on the floor of the State Senate, as he did 130 times as a state senator, he voted "present". [Understand this means he did not and would not make a statement that would reflect his actual beliefs. He didn't vote "yes" or "no", he voted "present", or "Hey, I'm here. I showed up."]

Then there was another bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the State of Illinois, not that long ago, where he voted against a ban on partial-birth abortion. [Again, when the bill is in front of the Committee he votes against it, or against it even being sent to the Senate for a vote.] "Late-term" abortion. Really one of the bad procedures, a terrible. And then on the floor of the State Senate he voted "present". [Again.]

I don't know how you vote "present" on some of that. [Me either.] I don't know how you align yourself with the extreme aspect of the pro-abortion movement in America. And that's his record. And that's a matter of his record. And he'll say it has something to do with Roe v. Wade about the Illinois State Senate. [Yes, he does. And it's crap, but very eloquent.] It was clear cut votes that Senator Obama voted, I think, in direct contradiction to the feelings and views of mainstream America.

Obama: Well, eh, uh, yeah, let me respond to this. Um, if it sounds incredible that I would vote to withhold life-saving treatment from an infant, uh, that's because it's not true. [So here, he says it's not true. He says, "it's not true" that he voted against a bill to provide life-saving treatment to an infant who survives a botched abortion.] The, eh, here are the facts. [Anybody else catching the um's and eh's where he pauses constantly to rethink his answer so as to not reveal his actual views, which are, let's face it pro-death, so as to not offend anyone on either side?]

There was a bill that was put forward before the Illinois Senate that said you have to provide life-saving treatment and that would have helped to undermine Roe vs. Wade. [How?] The fact is there was already a law on the books in Illinois that required providing life-saving treatment. [Really? Then why doesn't that actually happen? Remember the video? And if it's required by law, then why don't we prosecute those who withhold that treatment and leave babies to die? Oh yeah, because it's not a law. Liar.] Which is why not only myself [myself, as in I] but pro-choice [Let's call it what it is people, pro-death.] republicans, and democrats, voted against it - and the Illinois Medical Society, the organization of doctors in Illinois, voted against it. [Yeah, because they don't make money saving the lives of babies who aren't wanted in the first place. But they make LOTS of MONEY killing them.] [Wait, did we just almost miss something through your eloquence Senator Obama? You voted against it. Wait, read the sentence again. Which is why not only myself but pro-choice republicans, and democrats, voted against it - You voted against it. But I thought you said that wasn't true? Liar. Coward.] Their Hippocratic oath would have required them to provide care [Then why don't they?] and there was already a law in the books. [Uh, no.]

With respect to partial-birth abortion: I am completely supportive of a ban on late-term abortion, partial-birth or otherwise, as long as there's an exception for the mother's health and life. [And the health and life of the human being in her womb? You know, the one that doesn't have a voice.] And this did not contain that exception. And I attempted, as many have in the past, of including that so that it is constitutional. [And what about the constitutional rights of the baby? If abortion is a "choice" and it's OK, why can you be charged with two murders if you kill a pregnant woman?] And that was rejected, and that's why I voted "present" [Really? If you're against it, why not vote "No"? Oh yeah, because you don't want to seem pro-death. If you don't take a side then you can play both sides of the coin for votes towards your campaign.] because I am willing to accept a ban on late-term abortions as long as we have that exception.

Last point I want to make on the issue of abortion. This is an issue that, look, it divides us and in some ways it may be difficult to reconcile the two views. But there surely is some common ground with those who believe in choice [um, the pro-death people] and those who are opposed to abortion [you mean those of us who don't just care about ourselves, but are pro-everyone's-life] can come together and say, "We should try to prevent unintended pregnancies," uh, by providing appropriate education to our youth, communicating that sexuality is sacred, and that they should not be engaged in, in cavalier activity. And providing options for adoption and helping single mothers if they want to choose, uh, to keep the baby.

Those are all things that we put in the Democratic platform for the first time this year. And I think that's where we can find some common ground. 'Cause nobody's "pro-abortion". [You are. You're pro-your own-life. But not pro-other people's-lives. That's what it's really about here people - dehumanizing other humans. If we think of them as less than humans, then it's OK to kill them.] I think it's always a tragic situation. [Then why don't you do something to stop it? Instead of helping it continue. Coward.] We should try to reduce [Why not try and end them?] these circumstances.

McCain: Again, just again, an example of the eloquence of Senator Obama. [Thank you for pointing that out. Obama is really eloquent. When he speaks it almost makes it sound OK to kill other humans.] The "health" of the mother. You know that's been stretched by the pro-abortion movement in America to mean almost anything. That's, that's the extreme pro-abortion position, quote, "health". [Because, obviously, the health of the other human involved doesn't matter. Let's see, pregnancy is NOT A DISEASE. Very rarely are their any "health" issues that would cause a woman to not be able to carry a pregnancy to term. Carry the baby and give it to someone who will take care of it. Or better yet, don't have sex. Duh.]

Look, Cindy and I are adoptive parents. We know what a treasure and joy it is to have an adoptive child in our lives. We'll do everything we can to approve adoption in this country. But that does not mean that we will cease to protect the rights of the unborn. [Amen! We must protect them. they are the most vulnerable individuals in our country. Thank you for having enough courage to stand up and actually say what you believe!!]

Of course, we have to come together. Of course, we have to work together. And of course, it's vital that we do so. And help these young women who are facing such a difficult decision, with the compassion we’ll help them with the adoptive services and courage to bring that child into this world. We'll help take care of it.

Stay tuned.......

~H

Oops! I did it again....

I know, I know. I promised no more long pauses. Well, not promise exactly. But I casually mentioned that I was going to make an effort not to let it go too long.

Times they are a changin'.

My life, being busy as always, has been far too busy for this or anything else related to time to one's self. But maybe that's the point.

Let me explain. First, I have had time to read some other blogs. While on vacation from posting here I have read up on many important subjects and pondered some very important things: the upcoming election, prayer, sacrifice, abortion, the origin of the word fetus, Montessori learning (for my toddler), karate (for my 8 year old), sore nipples (from my newborn, who's 8 weeks old now)....just to name a few.

The most important thing I read and reflected on was how life is not about what you do but whom you serve. It lead me to rethink my busy-ness (which, ironically, I was going to spell business). My vocation from the Lord is to be a wife and mother. I am studying to be a midwife, which I also feel called to do, but I feel like that calling is something that is meant to be put on hold until my children are (much) older.

So if what I do is being a mom, housewife, homemaker, spouse, partner, or whatever other conventional label you want to give it - who am I serving?

The obvious answer is I serve my family. And there is truth in that. I serve my husband. I am a diligent steward of the sacrifices he makes for our family and he is honestly my best friend. I serve my children, not just things like breakfast and dinner. I serve them by helping them grow and learn, gently guiding them (sometimes forcefully) to God through (I hope) love and faith. But who is at the heart of all of this? And what am I telling my children about my vocation as they see me drag myself through the day, exhausted at times and even, *gasp*, complaining (ok, a lot of complaining).

Whom do I serve?

I realize, after much reflection and with much humility, that my ultimate vocation is to serve God. I haven't been chosen to serve Him through consecrated life or single life. I haven't been given a gift that can readily be shared with the poor or sick, although I do strive to incorporate that into my life (God help me). I have been chosen to serve God by serving those who He has put into my life and my care.

The precious children he has entrusted to me are my service and my gift to Him and the world He created. What kind of example am I to them if I constantly grumble and whine about the vocation I have been called to? Would He want me to teach them that if this indeed becomes their calling that they too should dread it? Would He want me to be uninspiring? I think not.

With much pondering of these questions I have a new found joy about my everyday busyness (again, my neato word) and the occasional burnout and weariness I face. It is truly a blessing to be a mother to these children, and a wife, companion, and friend to my husband. The legacy I want to leave to my children is one of profound humility, joy (again, 'cause I just can't think of a better word), prudence, and courage at being found worthy enough to be called by Him to serve.

~H

P.S. Expect more posts, especially those with a political flair, to come soon.