'Tis the season for Butterballs

Last week, Sammie gained a big fat nada in 8 days. Serious discouragement. But today, after 6 days of feeding 2x a night and pumping all day long, we are happy to report that she has gained 12 ounces in 6 days. She's a piggy. Now we start the fine tuning all over again. We're going back to letting her set the pace at night (thank goodness) and some tweaking during the day as well. I'd really like to just feed her without thinking so much about it, but I guess each struggle has been an opportunity to turn to Heavenly Father to ask for blessings, and each good report has been an opportunity to give Him thanks. She's so much fun. Sophia and Alanna have both had a chance to feed her the bottle this week, and that's kind of fun to watch them take care of her.
It was my birthday yesterday and after doing the usual run around like a turkey (also butterball unfortunately) with my head cut off, my great husband and kids took me out for dinner and then let me walk around Bed, Bath, and Beyond by myself (ok, I did have Sam with me) while they went and bought roses and scrapbooking supplies for me. So nice, and so fun to see what each one picked out for me. I am really blessed.
Sophia made the first cut in basketball, but was cut the second day. She was disappointed but seemed a little relieved too. It was a big commitment, but she stuck with it as long as she could. However, she did make the High Honor Roll, and I am really proud of her.
Anyway, the moral of the story is to count our blessings, to look for them when the days are hard. There's always something to be thankful for. I was thinking yesterday that I'm blessed to be born in an age where there are machines available to extract the milk from my body, and I don't have to shop for a wet nurse. Then again, if I did live in an age where there weren't machines, I'd still be blessed because my sister Natalie could be Sam's wet nurse. I'd just have to figure out how to get there without the car.
And I have to say I am also thankful for chocolate.

Someday I'll figure out how to post those pictures right, but for now......

What could be better than this.......

Wow, let me know when the ride stops. It's been non-stop action for the last 6 weeks. It's a good thing I never thought about whether I had time for 6 kids. Besides a special needs (hopefully short term) baby, Halloween, flu, colds, running to the school a minimum of 3 times a day, cooking (if you can call what I've been doing that), cleaning (slap and dash), and homework (who ever heard of an hour+ homework in kindergarten), I also try to get in a little exercise, scrapbooking, naps, and personal study time. Oh, who am I kidding. I'm lucky if I get to the first half of the list. We've been so blessed to have Sammie with us, and to witness Heavenly Father answering the many prayers on her behalf. She looks like an angel in the blessing dress Grandma Harding made her (thanks Mom!) and Mario gave a beautiful blessing on Sunday. Life is so surreal, and yet none of us can imagine life without her. The kids have gotten really good about hugging or giving space during my frequent PPD moments, and hopefully they're getting through it without too much scarring. Sophia is trying out for the junior high basketball team this week and made it through the first round of cuts today. Alanna and Isa are doing fabulously in school and are loving it. Ellie's been full of "funnies" lately. In a prayer the other day she prayed that mommy would be able to eat chocolate again soon. She also came into the room the other day where my sister Christy and I were chatting while I finished feeding Sammie. She walked over and cupping her hand around her mouth, whispered, "Mom, your milk feeder things aren't covered." Gabby is suffering from a cold, cutting 4 new teeth (the last in her baby set), and talking non-stop. She has discovered how to take off her clothes and diaper, and enjoys doing it at every opportunity. She's very pleasant and fun, even while getting into trouble. Sammie (the caboose...really) is growing. She has an amazingly intelligent look in her eyes, and sometimes it's hard to remember she's only a few weeks old. She's smiling and "conversing" with us, and we're still in awe of her and can stare at her for hours. She's been consistent ever since her instantaneous and dramatic entry into the world. She's very laid back, but once she decides she wants something, it better happen quick. When I was at the end of my pregnancy, I used to think, "I just have to get her here and then it will all be downhill." Heavenly Father has used the opportunity to show me that I don't know everything, and hopefully I've learned a little more about faith and patience and His will through it all. Anyway, pictures and Sammie's weight gain update will follow later this week........