Another Little Princess

Well...the Four Sisters Farm Family welcomed another little princess into what Grammy calls "The Royal Family (comprised of Romeo, Pretty Princess, Bitty Princess and the newest princess who does not yet have a blog name).  If you know us, you may have seen pictures on facebook already but we hadn't put out a blog post just yet.

She came in December on the birthday of her cousin Spiderman...he is very proud.  If she had waited 13 minutes, she would have shared Supergirl's birthday.  We now have a December birthday club of five family members now! 

Romeo and Pretty Princess decided to do a home birth this time with the assistance of a midwife and it was a wonderful experience. It was a calm, peaceful way to welcome a new baby.  As it turned out, the sisters were all present for the birth...when they heard Pretty Princess was in labor they began to arrive.  

Pop waited downstairs and Grammy stayed upstairs to help.  The sisters were up and down the stairs fetching things and relaying progress to Pop.  In my estimation, Pop had the hardest job waiting.  Bitty Princess was asleep in her room through the whole thing and was very excited to meet her baby sister the next morning.

First time in Daddy's arms.

Just a few days old...Daddy took this picture.

Bitty Princess is a very proud big sister!

Pretty Princess and The Unconventional Doctor's Wife (DW) with the new arrival.

The Aunties telling the newest royal family member how much she is loved.

All the Four Sisters and Grammy with our latest blessing

Proud Pop!
It will never get old seeing Pop with our grandbabies.  
I love him more now than ever before.

Celebrating grandbaby number 16!  God is SO good!

Proud parents...and they should be! 

Such a sweetheart and so loved by the whole Four Sisters Farm family.

Welcome Lil Ruthie

Lil Ruthie

The Four Sisters Farm Family presents the newest arrival...another princess...she is the thirteenth grandblessing for Pop and I on this earth and we are feeling incredibly blessed. 

We often refer to the girls in our family as "ladybugs" (regardless of their age) and the symbol of the ladybug has special meaning for us concerning our newest little ladybug.

I have always thought ladybugs were cute and fun and girly.  I shared my affinity for ladybugs with the Four Sisters.  They had a variety of ladybug wardrobe items that were handed down through the years and these pictures are of Lil Ruthie's mommy (Farm Chick at Heart) when she was little.

Farm Chick has loved babies practically since she was a baby.  She let me give you a little background about this lil ladybug. I remember (and have photo proof) that when the youngest of the Four Sisters arrived, I could hardly get a picture of the girls with Farm Chick looking at the camera because she could hardly take her eyes off her new baby sister.  She just adored her and all babies. Her goal in life was to be a wife and mommy.

Fast foward to her early years of marriage when she and EJ were wanting to start their family.  They tried for some time without success before they were able to conceive and I remember a season that Farm Chick felt that God had given her the ladybug as a symbol of hope for future children.  She (and we) saw ladybugs EVERYWHERE during that season and were encouraged. 

It was a difficult and emotional time for Farm Chick and EJ, but God used that time to prepare their hearts for the family He would eventually bless them with...to date, with the arrival of Lil Ruthie, they have three biological children and one adopted and their home is busy and joyous.

Now that each of the Four Sisters has a daughter I can share something. I have always hoped that my daughters would have at least one daughter to bring them the joy I have felt as the mother of daughters.  From the time of their births, I have reveled in their girliness and in what we females share.  My joy has multiplied many times over since then as I have been privileged to watch them each become mothers.  It is a privilege to share in each birth and in the early days of each grandbaby.  Not all sons-in-law welcome their wife's mothers into their homes after the birth of their children.  Cooking, cleaning, laundry, and childcare is a joy when it involves intermittent  baby snuggling and precious visits with my post-partum daughters.  This season of babies (three since the beginning of this year) has been hectic and has slowed down the renovation at the farmhouse but has been full of  love, laughter, and joy.

Count me one blessed Grammy.  The Four Sisters Farm Family has been rejoicing as we have celebrated our new arrivals.  Our refrain has been, "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!"

And then there was one...

We started out this great baby boom with three pregnant sisters.

We had lots of fun growing our babies and sharing this special time together. 

Even after Pretty Princess delivered our beautiful niece there were still two of us to share pregnancy.  This photo was taken after Rock Star and I enjoyed a pedicure and a tasty lunch at the Olive Garden. 

As time went on something hit me. 

I called Rock Star and said, "I just realized that when you have your baby I am going to be the only one who is big and uncomfortable." 

Rock Star's response, "I look forward to that day."

That day has come and gone.  Rock Star delivered my handsome nephew three weeks ago.

And then there was one...

One is the loneliest number...

Welcoming the Newest Superhero

Rock Star, PhoJo and their family of superheroes just welcomed their newest family member...along with all the Four Sisters Farm family and their friends.

You can see the delight on their faces as they snuggle and hold him.  I would love to display photos of the faces of all the people who have already loved on this little guy in his first days on this earth but the post would be way too long.  You see, before he was even conceived we loved him because we know that children are a blessing.
Rock Star's labor was induced early in the morning.  The Four Sisters Farm family gathered at the hospital in anticipation.  The contractions increased in intensity as more and more pitocin was administered; but the little superhero was apparently not planning to make his entrance according to the plan.  As the day wore on, the strong contractions were putting our little guy into a bit of distress and the resident overseeing the labor was becoming concerned.  So...we "circled the wagons" and gathered around Rock Star to pray over her and ask for God's help.  As the doctor lowered the amount of pitocin and fretted about a possible c-section, God went to work on Rockstar's behalf and we soon welcomed the "li-lul-bay-bee" (that is how his big sister says "little baby").   By the way, Grammy has given big sister the nickname "Kissy Sissy" because she cannot get close to her new little brother without planting a kiss on his head!

Recently, Rock Star wrote a blog post about being asked why they are having more children and how many more they plan to have.  It seems that at some point folks began to believe that children are a burden instead of a blessing.  It seems crystal clear that God's view is the complete opposite.  Check out Psalm 127:3-5, Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

Only God knows what His plan is for the number of superheroes in Rock Star's and PhoJo's family...we will simply welcome each one as they come, knowing that God is never surprised or caught off guard when a baby is conceived.  For now, we will love on the ones here and join our voices with Pop who sang over Rock Star and baby soon after the birth, "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow." Amen, Pop.  Amen.

Our Baby has a Baby

God has blessed Pop and I so abundantly with our "grandblessings'!  I feel especially blessed to have been present at the all births of of our grand babies (except our sweet lil adopted Q)...even when we were living 1300 miles from our family.  God just seemed to orchestrate everything and Bitty Princess' birth was no exception.  The waiting room was full of Bitty Princess' "fan club members" as they anxiously awaited her arrival.  Romeo's parents, Pop, and Pretty Princess' sisters were all there.

I was so impressed with our youngest "kids" as they awaited the arrival of their first baby.  They were very well prepared.  They asked intelligent questions of the medical staff and had their birth plan firmly in mind.  Things rarely go as planned for childbirth and as things came up, they readily made adjustments and maintained a calm, controlled attitude...but it wasn't just about their attitude...it was about who they are in life.  They did all they could do and then trusted God with everything else.

I think Pop and I have the most incredible sons (in-law) on the planet.  They love God, their wives and their children. To have witnessed them in action in labor and delivery is something I feel honored to have seen.  Romeo was incredibly tender and attentive to Pretty Princess.  He worked hard to do everything she needed.  He made sure she was covered and comfortable (as possible) when various tubes were moved, monitors adjusted, and procedures performed. He got her ice chips and whatever she asked for. He ran interference with staff and family. In general, he did everything in his power to be the protector and provider for his little family.  What an incredible blessing!

The labor and delivery was bathed in prayer and at one point, Pretty Princess was surrounded by waiting grandparents and family members praying for God to make the labor progress quickly.  Several times as Pretty Princess endured, Romeo prayed over her as he and I tried to do everything we could to help.  At one point when things seemed to be stalled, family members in the waiting room prayed for progress in the delivery as another waiting family sympathetically looked on.  One particularly sweet moment, as our Princess labored in pain, I watched with my heart nearly bursting as Pop tenderly laid his hand on her head and silently asked God to help her and Bitty Princess through the delivery.  The calm and peace that came with this quiet act seemed to fill the room.



It was a long, difficult labor that could have quickly led to a c-section but Pretty Princess powered through and Romeo supported her in every way.  Pretty Princess should probably be renamed "Warrior Princess"!  The end result is our beautiful, healthy "Bitty Princess" who is joyfully welcomed by the whole Four Sisters Farm Family.

That night Pop and I prepared for sleep after a long and hard day.  He wrapped his arms around me as relief washed over me.  I expressed that with each birth I have witnessed, I am reminded just how fragile life is and have to thank God for what He has done.  As Pop held me and tears of gratitude streamed down my face, he quietly lifted his voice to our Creator, "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below.  Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen."

This grammy has so much to be thankful for. Thank You, God.

Welcome Bitty Princess

"Bitty Princess" - born to Romeo and Pretty Princess.
Welcome to the Four Sisters Farm family, little one!

Proverbs 17:6

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁶ Children’s children are a crown to the aged,
   and parents are the pride of their children.

Adding More Christmas Stockings

New Christmas Stockings for 2011

The Four Sisters Farm homestead is, of course, not ready for family gatherings on the main level just yet so The Unconventionals will graciously host our family Christmas gathering once again.  The Unconventional Doctor's Wife (DW for short) was busy decking her halls as she does each year and she sent me a text message with a picture - both the picture and the message came across loud and clear - we were missing three stockings!!

So I pulled out my Christmas stocking sewing supplies (yes, I am prepared for MORE grandbabies at all times) and made the stockings for the babies who will be joining our family early in 2012.  (Of course, the stockings have "real" names on the other side.) Life is precious and celebrated in the Four Sisters Farm family...even before birth...so we will fill these new stockings at Christmas in anticipation of their arrival.

First, Pretty Princess and Romeo will welcome a baby girl into the "Royal Family", then the Superheroes will induct another baby boy superhero, and last but certainly not least, The Farmhands (at The Growing Table) will be blessed with all the frills that come with a baby girl to add to their family of rough and tumble boys.

2012 promises to be an incredibly exciting and blessed time and the whole Four Sisters Farm family is grateful to God for His rich blessings.  It's good stuff (contented sigh, and big smile from Grammy).

Baby Bumps

Today we celebrated Pretty Princess and Romeo's sweet baby girl.  The little princess is due in January and we are all over the moon in love with her already.

We had so much fun planning and putting on this baby shower.  What an exciting time!  You should have seen all the pink.  It was like an ocean of pink!

We love you baby girl!

So...if you remember.  There are three pregnant sisters.  Rock Star is due in February with a baby boy and I (Farm Chick) am due in April.  We don't know yet if it is a boy or girl.

The only UNpregnant sister is DW.  She is perfectly happy to not be with child.  Here is the picture to prove it!

Here is the banter on facebook between the sisters in regards to this photo...

Rock Star: HAHA! The joke is on DW though because we all plan for her to babysit...a lot.
DW: Bring. It. On. The joke is back on you because I can send them home and sleep through the night! LOL
Rock Star:  I meant OVER-Night babysitting...Hee Hee.

Group discount?

Without realizing it, the three preggo sisters all scheduled OB appointments on the same day.  That wouldn't be all that interesting except for the fact that we all go to the same OB.

We asked our Dr. if there was a group rate? 

No such luck.

Hee Hee.

Babies, Babies all around!

We have a little announcement...

EJ and I will be welcoming a new baby in April 2012!

I am sick and tired.  Just like a pregnant woman should be.

Praise the Lord!

If you are keeping track, yes, that means 3 of the 4 sisters are pregnant. 

We are each due 6 weeks apart.

This family better get ready for some serious baby cuddle time!

So far we know that Pretty Princess is having a girl. 

Rock Star will find out in October and I will find out in November. 

Exciting stuff!

I can't help it...

I am a proud Auntie. :)

Romeo and Pretty Princess are having a GIRL!

I can already tell she is beautiful.  Just look at this sweet baby...

Thank you God for this precious baby girl!

A couple of special announcements...

Coming in January....

Coming in March...

Shoulda been at the zoo

We are tired of being stuck at home.

The Super Heroes were at the Zoo today and we were WAY jealous.

The good news...the boys seem to be ready to rock and roll.  No fevers today!

The bad news...I am still exhausted.  At this point, I've realized it may not be the virus.  It may be the two little bitty babies growing in my belly. 

Word is the babies are the size of kidney beans this week.  I bet they are super cute little beans. 

Stinkin' Sick

I was supposed to be gone all weekend.  I was headed to an adoption conference with two of my dear friends.  I have been looking forward to it with great excitement.  We were to leave on Thursday night.

On Wednesday, Q started running a fever.  By Thursday, I knew I would have to take him to the doctor.  Turns out he has an ear infection.  We got an antibiotic and headed home to snuggle.

Also, Huckleberry got hit by a car.  We think he got clipped in the face and rolled.  He had a trip to the vet where they sedated him and determined that his jaw was broken.  He was given meds and sent home to recover with special feeding instructions.  We love big 'ol gentle Huck.  We are so glad he is okay!

I knew I just couldn't leave little Q and go to the conference.  Those of you parents know that antibiotics often lead to diarrhea.  I could just picture EJ trying to take care of an injured dog while cleaning up nasty baby poo poos and trying to chase all three boys.  It just didn't feel right to leave.

Turns out it is a very good thing I didn't go.  By late Thursday afternoon I was in a bad way.  A crazy sickness came over me in an instant.  I had chills, aches, runny nose, sore throat and a fever.  I felt like I couldn't lift my head from my pillow. 

Pop and Grammy helped me with the cowboys until EJ could get home that evening.

Friday was spent just being sick.  EJ kept the boys busy so I could rest.  He did have to run to town a couple of times and it was all I could do to take care of the boys. 

The thing that freaked me out more than anything was the fever. I have read that fever in early pregnancy can be a bad thing. EJ called Dr. K's office. Nurse T told EJ that the fever was more dangerous to the babies than Tylenol.  So we kept the Tylenol going and prayed the babies would hang tough through it all. 

My mother-in-law had been checking on us that day and wanted to keep the big boys for us for the night.  We asked the boys if they wanted to go and of course they said yes.

Saturday Q woke up with a rash all over his body and I was still miserable.  We went to immediate care.  Q was seen right away.  He is allergic to the antibiotic he was given.  They prescribed him a new one and told us to give him some benadryl.  I waited another hour and forty-five minutes to be seen.  The Dr. looked me over and said it was probably a virus.  He told me to take Tylenol.  I asked him if he would consider just cutting my head off.  He didn't seem to think I was funny.

When we called to check on the big boys, my in-laws informed us that Bubba woke up with a fever and had vomited that morning.  Poor guy!  They said he seemed to be doing better and was watching sports on TV with his Papa.  We were headed to pick them up and go home.  My mother-in-law insisted that we go on home and let them keep the boys another night.  I was in no place to argue.  I could hardly function.  EJ had his hands full with me and Q.

We came home and I slept and slept.  When I woke up I asked EJ to go get the big boys.  I was missing them.  He called to check on them and they were having a good time and looking forward to staying another night.  I didn't want to upset them.

When I woke up this morning I finally felt human again.  Certainly nowhere near 100% but better.

This afternoon, EJ and Q went to pick up the big brothers.  I was so happy when they made it home.  We pulled out the hide-a-bed so we could all cuddle up and watch a movie.  Pitiful aren't we? 

(I looked at EJ after he took this photo and said, "Do you realize I am snuggled up with our 5 children right now?")

I cannot thank EJ enough for taking good care of us.  I am also thankful for EJ's folks for keeping the big boys for us.  I find it difficult to accept help but there are times when you just don't have a choice.  I am so glad for family that steps in and saves the day when I need them.

(Just a side note: Pop and Grammy are currently taking care of other grand kids so they were not available.  I know you are wondering why the boys didn't just go downstairs...don't worry inquiring minds...I've got your back)

We got to hear the heartbeat...BOTH OF THEM!!!

A few weeks ago we were shocked to find out that I was pregnant.  After all, God hasn't given us another pregnancy since our little Wubba came.

Surprise!!!

Q gave Pop and Grammy this card on Valentine's Day.

We were thrilled but still shocked.

Fast forward to our first Dr. appt.

EJ and I were glad to see Dr. K.  (He delivered Bubba and Wubba.  He also delivered my niece SuperGirl and nephew SpiderMan).

We laughed with Dr. K and our favorite nurse T.  I told them that I was nervous to be there.  I was still shocked and trying to believe that I was pregnant.  When Dr. K prepared to do a sonogram I told him I was afraid he wouldn't find anyone in there.

As he began to perform the sonogram I noticed the look on his face change. 

He said, "There are Two."

"Are you kidding?"  EJ said

"He's not kidding.  EJ do you want your chair?" said Nurse T.

EJ to Me, "You were afraid there was no one in there.  There is a whole dorm room in there!"

We watched as Dr. K showed us each of their heartbeats.  Both were at 120.  It was amazing to hear the "thump thump" of each of their hearts.

We couldn't wait to share the news!!!

I texted my cousin to call me.  I knew she was working that day.  She called and I spilled my guts.  She was so jazzed to hear the news!

We quickly met EJ's folks for lunch.  EJ showed them the sonogram and his Mom jokingly said, "there's one, there is another."  EJ looked her and said, "You are right!  There are two babies in there!"  They were totally excited!

Next we were headed home to tell Pop, Grammy and Pretty Princess.  (Pretty Princess was at the Farm watching the cowboys for us).  Grammy called me to check in on our appointment and to tell me that she and Pop were running some errands.

We asked if we could meet them to show them a picture.  We made plans to meet in a parking lot.  While we waited for them I called DW and Rock Star.  They couldn't believe it!  I'm sure they thought we were kidding at first!

When Pop and Grammy got there.  I pulled out the sonogram pictures and said, "We got to hear the heartbeat...BOTH OF THEM!!!"  Grammy jumped up and down in excitement.  Pop looked a little shocked.  We gave them a big hug and then headed home.

When we arrived home I got to tell Pretty Princess and the cowboys at the same time.

When I told the boys that there were two babies in my tummy they said, "That is silly!" 

So here we are...

Shocked. 

Amazed. 

Grateful to God.

Ephesians 3:19-21
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Mr. Q is One!

How quickly they go from this...

To this...

We are one blessed family!

Our baby wears cloth diapers

When Q was about 4 months old I decided to give cloth diapers a try.  One of my dear friends was planning to cloth diaper her baby and I had been listening with intrigue.

Here is what I have learned about cloth diapering so far...

There are tons of types of diapers and you have to find the best ones for you.

At this point we are loving the Flip Diaper System.

Here are the covers...

Here is the insert...(we chose the organic cotton insert)

You fold it one way...

Then the other...

Then you take the cover and lay it out like this...

Then you slip the insert in and tuck it under the flaps...

TaDa...a cloth diaper with fancy snaps and everything!

Next find your squiggly, wiggly baby and put it on him...

Then attempt to take pictures of him in the cloth diaper while he crawls away...

Try again but this time he will crawl towards you...

And into your lap...

Okay, here is the deal.  If your baby pees in their diaper all you have to do is take the insert out and throw it in a wet bag.  Then you replace it with a fresh insert.  But if the dreaded number two has occurred, you pull out the big guns. 

Behold, the Diaper Sprayer...

This handy contraption keeps you from touching poo.  You just hold onto the diaper and spray the poo off into the toilet and flush.  Then you place the diaper (cover and all) in the wet bag.  This time you replace with a whole new cover and diaper.  Important note: do not install this diaper sprayer where your children use the potty.  Put it in your master bathroom.  Trust me on this one.  Even the tiny one thinks it would be a fun toy...

Here is that awesome wet bag.  It is an important tool in cloth diapering.  Now that you have filled that bad boy up with yucky diapers it's time to wash. (For us that is every other day) So, here is what you do...you simply unzip the top of the bag and turn it inside out dumping everything into the washer (including the bag).

 Next, you do a cold rinse with no detergent.  Then you use detergent specifically made for cloth diapers.  Then run the cycle that does a hot wash and cold rinse. 

Then you hang the covers to dry and throw the inserts in the dryer to tumble dry.

I didn't mention the cloth wipes.  They just make sense.  This way you reuse your wipes over and over again.  You might as well.  You are already washing the diapers.  (My favorite so far is the fuzzibunz brand).

So, tell the truth...you think I'm a total hippy now don't you?