Reflection on 2018

One of my personal goals of 2018 was to have a baby. In 2017 I had a miscarriage. I felt like the gap between Hannah, Olivia & Paul was so big that we needed one more to complete our family.  Along came George!  He was born at home, as was Paul.

We are now a family of 6.  God is good!

New sweaters from Grammie for the boys!  She gave the girls $ they are harder to buy gifts for...

I ordered a set of four linen napkins from this family owned company in Lithuania:  not PERFECT LINEN. It took 3 weeks to arrive.  I love them, especially the vibrant saffron colour!  I'd like to get more eventually.  Or maybe splurge on a dress (with buttons for nursing) or skirt from them.

My dad passed away three and a half years ago.  It's nice to remember him.  He gave us a set of 12 navy and cream woven cotton cloth napkins.  We use them every single day, they have been washed a lot and are starting to fray.

I got a set of 4 cream-coloured napkins & a beautiful linen tablecloth, about ten years ago from William-Sonoma, it was actually made in Russia.  I haven't used it much lately though.

I want to put it on the table today.  The girls have invited some friends over and we plan to bake bread together.

Hope you have a happy 2019!

Smile

A friend gave George this wool Guatemalan cardinal sweater that she bought at Ten Thousand villages. I like to go for a walk everyday.  Fresh air is good.  We are all battling colds, though...runny noses, sore throats, coughs.  Making elderberry tea with honey!

 

A wee smile!

Hannah played Christmas songs on guitar at Kings Island with the school jazz band.

Olivia holding George on St. Nicholas day!

Paul decorating cookies.  He looks like such a big kid to me here.

 Solstice bonfire at Turner Farm.

 More smiles!

He also rolled from his tummy to his back several times, right and left!  Little milestones.

And one more photo from after George's baptism last week:

Baptism

George in the arms of his Godmother, Caitlin.  Attach to his life a radiant angel who will protect him, or "yolk unto him an angel of light."  Either way the service is beautiful.

His Godfather, John, holds him as we sing:  As many as have been baptised unto have put on Christ.  

Alleluia!

Sunday "churching."  George went into the altar with Fr. Daniel.  He was such a good baby, no crying, just bright-eyed and curious.

Cozy and content

Continuing to decorate gingerbread and diffusing clove & orange essential oil.

 I strung a popcorn & cranberry garland!

I started feeling poorly early this week and I was pretty sure I had a urinary tract infection (UTI), as I had one before.  I was drinking a lot of water and 2 oz. of apple cider vinegar, but although I felt better one day, it didn't help enough.  So, I went to the Walgreens clinic.  This is the result of my test...see the strip?  The purple indicates I have an UTI, she said there is trace blood in it & I think she told me the green means I am leaking protein.  Anyhow, I'm taking Augmentin twice daily for 7 days.  And drinking lots of water and eating plain yogurt.

We've had some beautiful blue skies lately.  Right now, it's pretty gray, but 45 degrees Fahrenheit.  Warm compared to what its has been this month.  I'm hoping it's this warm next week, as we want to go to an outdoor winter solstice celebration and bonfire.

Hanna Andersson

I've wanted to buy matching pajamas for our family from Hanna Andersson for years.  They had a super sale & I got these narwhal ones.  If you use my referral link, we both get 20% off ( I'm pretty sure that's on top of whatever sale prices they currently have):  https://refer.hannaandersson.com/share/Martha30

So far, I only have photos of these 2 boys together.

Typical day, lots of nursing George.  One month old doctor appointment today, he's now 10 pounds 3 ounces & 22 inches tall.

We've had some beautiful sunny days here.

 The girls have really been a big help with George when they are home, just holding him for 5 minutes so I can take a shower and make myself a cup of tea means a lot.

Mastitis

To be honest, I've been struggling with breastfeeding.  George has a lip tie, his upper lip doesn't allow him to latch well.  I'm pretty sure I had mastitis, I had a fever (although I didn't take my temperature, I got plenty of rest and drank tea), last Sunday.  I also got out the manual Medela breast pump I got when Hannah was a baby.  Yeah.  It's 17 years old.  Worked great!  Thankfully, things are better now.

Last Friday was opening night of King's Island Winterfest. Hannah's friend who works there gave us 12 complimentary tickets!  Regularly admission is $25.99/ person.  We went with my mom and 2 sisters and their families.

Last Saturday was our 18th wedding anniversary!  We took the boys with us to Findlay Market.  The girls offered to babysit, but in reality, I think it would be too much for them, although it was a sweet offer.

George had his 1st bath a few days ago...he was 23 days old.  Paul was helping a lot, such an interested and attentive big brother.  One day, he would be a great dad.  He is learning from his dad!

Car seats...love-hate relationship...we drove to a chiropractor appointment and there was a lot of traffic and crying.  I am going to stay home as much as I can!

Olivia passed the test for her temporary driver's license!  6 months and she could driving solo...

Have a nice weekend!