Weekly Report
I haven't done a weekly report in a while. But this week was chock full of learning, so I thought I would write one. :)
Sunday
I took the girls to Hebrew class. I really didn't want to go, but figured I should do it. Afterwards, I wanted to stop at Babies R Us and get a few things for the baby, but the store I thought was open was not. So, we went to Burlington Coat Factory instead. I bought a sleeper, mattress pad for the crib and a little receiving blanket. Then, we drove to the Linens N Things as they are going out of business, and attempted to find a deal. None were to be had. Went to Target. By this time, I was exhausted. But, we found a new sheet set for my bed and a couple of other things. I think I was basically just buying stuff to buy them.
Then we went home and I probably fell asleep.
I'd been contracting for days on and off. It was getting kind of tiring. I decided that having the baby on Monday would be a good idea. Vern was in town for the day and the day had good numbers. LOL 10/27/08 Since 2 + 7 = 9, the baby would have a 10/9/8 birthday.
Monday
I had a hard time getting around in the morning but finally managed it. I had the two older girls finish their Core and In-depth History for Week 9 of our Tapestry of Grace history. I attempted to coordinate them finishing the rest of the week, but it didn't happen. I had G2 read a book to G3 and G4, I think. Mostly, I think we pretended to do school. I'm pretty sure I did math with G1. I made a grocery list for the next two weeks, using my menu mailer from the Traditional Foods website and took the two youngers to the grocery store with me. We bought a ton of groceries and then I drove home to have the olders put them away. I tried not to buy too much in terms of produce because I knew that on Tuesday, our produce co-op would have a big bin for us.
We had supper and I contracted on and off. My dh, loving man that he is, told me that I was not in labor.
Around 8, I called my midwife, who told me that she had a birth at her birthing center and did I really think I was in labor? She suggested a bath. I took a bath and drank some wine. G3 read from _Fun with Pets_ to me while G4 used a washcloth to put warm water in my bath. It was wonderful to feel so loved. Contractions all but stopped. Yahoo. Never thought I would say that, but I really wanted my midwife at the birth.
I lasted until around midnight before I called the midwife to come. Lesson learned. Babies come when they are ready.
Tuesday
We had a baby.
The three younger girls were able to help cut the cord.
G3 was especially interested in the placenta. She was given a lesson about all the parts after it was birthed.
Wednesday
We learned about living with a new baby. It's been almost 5 years since our last baby was born, so this was a new experience for all of us. Vern managed to take care of the older 4 during the day and I hung out in our bedroom with the baby. I learned all over again just how many diapers a baby goes through. Wow. Poop is amazing stuff.
The girls learned that in order to get attention from me, they had to come to me, instead of me coming to them. This is not a bad thing.
In the afternoon, we named the baby so that the girls could have a name to tell their friends when they went to PE. Vern took the girls to PE and picked them up.
Thursday
The girls got to go to the Symphony with their dad. They did wonderfully and had a great time. In the afternoon, the midwife came to check on the baby. Everyone is doing well. A friend brought dinner. :) Thank G-d for friends.
Friday
We got around very slowly. Vern went shooting with a friend, leaving me along with 5 children for the very first time. I was quite freaked about it for a while, but it went away. While Vern was gone, I read the rest of G3's history to her, Art of the Middle Ages, and our Jewish History book for this time period. I also read a lit book to G3 and G4. G1 and G2 and I had our history discussion for this week. We might have finished up a couple of other loose ends for our TOG week. I wanted to get to a few other things, but it didn't happen.
Another friend brought us supper. Again, Thank the L-rd for friends. This makes it much easier for Vern. It's good that we have food in the house already prepared, in addition to our regular menus.
Now, for gratuitous baby pics. We are so grateful for this healthy baby.
All in all, it was a good week. :)
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