Mid-October Babymoon Daybook

Outside my Window ... a grey, cloudy fall day. Just about perfect for this day of Fall Break for us. (Now the sun is out, but it's still a little cool).

I am thinking ... that I am wondering how it is going to go today. First day home with all four kids by myself. (Ethan is a week and a half today). I'm sure it will be fine. Really. I'm sure. : ) Typically Noelle would have her tutorial today, but she is on fall break so I'm thinking we need to have a very simple day - time in the backyard, maybe a movie later, etc.

I am thankful for ... all the help I've had in the last week! My Mom came over for three days last week to hang out and help with the big girls and Travis had Monday and Friday off to be with us. He also got us out on the days that he was home for some long drives in the sunshine (which I swear by for mom's with tiny babies ... never underestimate the healing power of Vitamin D when you have been home for several days on end!) Plus, we have have several meals brought to us by church friends with a few more coming this week. Love, love, love baby meals. We have eaten really well!

In the learning room ... We've been off for about a week and half for obvious reasons. : ) I'm hoping to slowly start doing a few things with Noelle starting tomorrow. I'm itching to get back to it a bit more than she is I think! In the meantime, Noelle has had her regular 2-day per week tutorial and has done a few neat activities while I've been sidelined - her class went on a field trip to a local nature center and did leaf rubbings, talked about what it would have been like for settlers walking across Tennessee (she's studying a little Tennessee history right now), and had a picnic lunch. Needless to say my outdoor girl had a GREAT time. She also made a salt map of Tennessee this past Friday in class - one of those projects that has made me very thankful for her school this year as that's something I probably wouldn't have tried to tackle in this season.

From the kitchen ... no cooking on my part. : ) Again, so thankful for those baby meals that have come over the last week and am looking forward to a few more in the next few days. I guess I do need to start thinking about what we are going to do towards the end of this week...
I am creating ... milk. : ) That's about it. : ) Well, and also lists in my head and a few on paper. The next few months are staring at me begging for a little organization and forethought.

I am going ... well, I will be given the green light to drive by mid-week but I imagine I will be homebound for the most part. I really, really, REALLY love these first few weeks at home with a new baby (I have with each one) and how you are just cocooned up with your immediate people for the most part snuggling and hanging out. In general, our lives are pretty homebound but adding the new baby that I don't want to take out just intensifies that feeling. So, not much going of yet.

I am wearing ... Camo jammies. So comfy. And they are non-materity which makes me happy.

I am reading ... Ha.

I am hoping ... for a good day today and that Travis comes home from work a bit early. : )

I am hearing ... little girls watching PBS Kids on this Fall break day, a few baby squeaks from the bedroom.

Around the house ... a little this and that. Travis has been doing most of the house upkeep the last few weeks as I was either to unganly to maneuver or to tired/sore, but I'm hoping to step back into some of that by the end of this week and next. I have my Motivated Moms chore planner printed for the rest of 2010 and am ready! I've used this little planner off and on since Natalie was a baby and when I do it, it really does help me stay focused on house duties, which, honestly, is a huge weakness of mine.

One of my favorite things ... my munchkins and how much they are enjoying this baby boy!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... not much in the expectation department this week, but I would like to get a few days of school in with Noelle this week (and truthfully will be happy with a couple half-days to start). I have an appointment for me on Wednesday to meet with a surgeon about my gall bladder and to get that scheduled before the end of the year. I'm ready to be done with that! Ethan has a two week weight check on Friday where he will hopefully be back up (or close to) his birth weight. We have a couple of event options for Saturday, one for Noelle's school and one with friends that are in town visiting, but I'm holding both of those very loosely until I see how the boy and I are doing at the end of the week as far as energy level. By the third baby I had learned not to commit to a whole lot and if we can make it to something, I can be pleasantly surprised and avoid the stress. : )

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ...