A Baby Related Post and Some Other Pictures =)

Just for fun I thought I'd post some baby related pictures of our preparation so far for baby Andrew.


Here's the carseat we bought for him. I got rid of Quinn's carseat thinking I wouldn't need it again so soon. You think I'd know better by now. =)




How cute is this bouncer?! Again, I got rid of Quinny's before we moved. Marty knew I really wanted this for him so he bought it on Valentine's Day because we decided baby Andrew should get a present too.




This isn't new or anything but it's special to me. This is the bassinet we got for Reece. It's been through Reece, Ella, Quinn, and now it will sleep baby Andrew until he's ready for a crib.



Here's some stuff we've collected for him so far. Again, I donated about 5-6 big boxes of baby boy clothing before we left Nebraska. Sheesh.




I included this picture because it struck me as funny. I think I may be the only one that has a growing collection of knitted junk for a baby that will arrive in the dead of summer. In Texas.




This is a bunny I knitted for baby Andrew. My plan was to sleep with it so it'd smell like me. I've read that's soothing for the baby. I guess we'll see.




This picture makes me laugh too. Wool bunny floating in a bath. Haha



And speaking of knitted things, here's a few things/sets I've been working on for him. I love how quickly newborn things knit up. They're so tiny and fun to make. I made all these things in a little over a week.

A little acorn cap. Is this the cutest pattern or what?! He can be a little gnome baby with his acorn hat.




A little froggy set





An apple set. It turned out a bit girlier than I intended but I still like it. The mitts look like strawberries, haha. Oh well. I dress my boys in purple so we'll use it anyway I'm sure.



A blueberry set. I might just bring him home from the hospital in this one.




A pouch sling I made. I think it's a little big so I might have to take it in some. I was in love with this fabric and was glad to find a good use for it.




Sweet Lulu




Ella in Jimmie's hat. She's so stinkin' cute if I do say so.




And Quinny with one of our old cell phones. See that big scrape on his head? We had some great weather the other day and decided to let him play for awhile. He fell down and skidded his poor head on the sidewalk. Poor baby, his first ever wound!



We miss you all and hope you are all safe and happy!

Reece's Sticky Situation

Recently Jimmie had bought some gum with his allowance and given Reece a piece. Now, Reece isn't allowed to have gum but I guess he figured since Jimmie gave it to him it was okay.

I was getting ready to get into the shower the other night when I hear Lexeigh pounding on the door, "Hurry! Reece has gum smashed all into his hair!" I have to admit I thought about dealing with it after the shower but decided against it, haha. So I wrapped a towel around myself and ran to see how bad the damage was.



Hmmm, this didn't look too terrible...



Until he turned around



We tried icing it to work it out but it was in there really good



Awe, see how remorseful he looks??



We finally had no choice but to cut it out




I asked him why he smashed it into his hair like that and he said, "Because I wanted hairy gum." Yes, he seriously said that. He actually tried to chew it again after it was cut out




Hahahaha, look at his face. I guess hairy gum isn't nearly as appetizing as it sounds




Luckily his hair is so fine and lays pretty nicely so you can't tell it was cut at all. Marty thought it was funny I was taking pictures and I told him we'd want to remember these kinds of things one day. Don't you think? =)

E is for Ella and the boogie lip

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A blanket for baby Andrew

Just wanted to share the blanket I finished for baby Andrew. The wool is Laines Magnifique in the "Retro Metro" colorway. It was going to be a pair of longies for someone but it ended up as this blanket instead. =)


You can click on the picture for a bigger view

Pictures and Something I wanted to Share

Just a few pictures to share before I update....


I love this picture if only because of the look on Ella's face. Miss Sassypants. =) Reece set up this quadruple bunk for the chipmunks with matching bedding out of playsilks.



How cute is this?!



I love this picture too and I'll tell you why. When Reece showed me how he tucked his Simon into the basket with food and blankets he said to me, "This is baby Jesus' basket that he sleeped in. He said I could use it for my Simon." LOL



Quinny playing. We added canopies to the playstand to make more room although this isn't the best picture. Marty and I also made the little wooden ironing board and iron in the background. That was really fun to do. An identical one online would have cost us $80 and that's before buying the iron. The iron would have been around another $12 or so. Add shipping and it'd be close to $100. Our total cost? $12. It's so worth it to make things when you can and the kids love it!



I can't look at this picture without smiling.



Just a quick picture of some of this week's lessons. We've started on some music. The stuff at the bottom is form drawing. Practicing form drawing really helps Lexeigh with forming cursive letters, control, focus, and being able to copy forms (words) she sees properly.


And now, onto ultrasound pics! Please meet Andrew Taylor Farrell =D



The classic, semi-creepy alien shot. Haha. We had a really hard time getting a good profile pic because baby was just so active and wasn't cooperating much. I have to go back in a few weeks for another ultrasound because we weren't able to get all the necessary pictures. Maybe next time we'll have better luck?



Baby's foot



Baby's Hand



And I don't think this could be more obvious. I was so sure it was a girl but I was wrong! What a tricky little fella =) I saw it before the tech said anything. I gasped and said, "Oh. My. Gosh." Marty looked at me and said, "What's wrong?" and I said "THAT is a boy!". After that I just couldn't stop laughing. I giggled for about 5 minutes still on that table. I was really excited. I've never had two of the same gender in a row before! I'm looking forward to it.


Speaking of looking forward to baby #6, I have to say we're very grateful for this blessing. He was not an accident, a mistake, or a surprise. Were we trying to get pregnant? No. But if God saw fit to send us this little one he was meant to be here. Period. Marty and I made a conscious decision to include the Lord in our family planning. I think that's the only explanation we need to give anyone.

So many people view children as burdens or expenses or "things" that take all of their personal time. It's sad really. I also notice a lot of people with this opinion of children are ones who don't want to take the time to parent their children properly. It's easy to be the kind of parent who doesn't discipline or expect correct (or even decent) behavior out of their children. It's harder yet to be a good parent. To not give in. Are we perfect parents? Absolutely not. We make mistakes and I'm sure we'll make many more. But I suppose people that don't want to take the time to train children properly might find it hard to believe anyone would want more than 1 or 2 because it seems too hard. It *is* hard, but it is worth every single second.

I've also noticed that some of the people who make negative comments about the amount of children we have are people who have only 1 or 2 children themselves. At most 3. So I don't expect them to understand. Also, most of these people have no faith or spirituality in their lives so again, I think it would be hard for these kinds of people to understand obeying the Lord because He has given you a conviction. Will our conviction always be the same? Perhaps not. But for now, we're following what we believe the Lord has asked of us for whatever reason.

There are many biblical readings and studies we've done on family planning and I don't have the time to get into them all right now. But one of the things I've always found fascinating was that God commanded the Israelites to multiply even though they were poor and wandering the desert. Wow. He obviously commanded that for a reason and intended to provide for these children. Marty and I have been amazed at seeing our faith increase as God provides for our needs in so many different ways.

I understand that some people say they are only concerned. I understand this concern when it comes from a genuine heart. One thing I've come to learn though is this: Children are not expensive, lifestyles are. What's important to you? My children are important to me. Not cars or computers or money or houses or boats or etc. etc. etc. I can't take any of those things to Heaven with me. I can, however, take my children. =)

We've learned to ignore the hurtful or ignorant comments from people about our family size. If we shouldn't have had so many, when should we have stopped? Which of our children shouldn't be here now? Quinn? Quinn AND Ella? Just Lexeigh? Maybe Reece and Jimmie. The answer is none of them. They're all here for a reason and each has enriched our lives.

I have to laugh at the birth control comments by now. Why do people assume that because you have more than the usual amount of children you must be ignorant about birth control?? Believe it or not both Marty and I have an IQ that does NOT fall between that of styrofoam and yogurt. ;)

In fact, many people who actually DO use birth control are ignorant to the fact that the pill, iud, and many others are actually abortifacients. They allow a woman to conceive the child, but make the uterus an inhospitable place for the embryo to implant.

But the purpose of my writings is not a vent about birth control. I digress.

The point of this was to get some things off my chest. This was a decision Marty and I made TOGETHER after prayer and research. Those who can't understand that, well, I'm sorry.

I have to say I am beyond eternally grateful for my wonderful family. I am so very, very blessed as are my children to have them. Even though a few of them may have expressed concern it was truly genuine and from the heart. They fully support us and welcome each precious little one with open arms and hearts. Each child is truly celebrated because we realize what a gift each one really is. Thank you for your support and love and understanding. It's made all the difference.

Just wanted to share...

This cute picture of Ella having fun with the play silks. =)