Yes, I'm still here. No, I haven't been THAT busy that I can't blog. For some reason the videos that I want to upload to share with you all just don't seem to be uploading! I would love to share many things with you but my computer won't let me.
Maybe I should stick to pictures. Well, look out for a new post tomorrow...it's a special day in our house...
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
What's up?!
Well, November was a bit of wash out in our house. We have been battling illness after illness. Poor Levi seems to have been hit the worst. We had 7 days of good health with Levi...it takes it's toll, that's for sure! I am so thankful for healthy children with no serious illnesses or long-term conditions! My heart goes out to those parents who deal with these struggles on a daily basis! Dean and I have commented to each other many times over the last month at how blessed we are and thankful to God for his graciousness to us in this way!
Here's a few pictures that sum up how Levi has felt...
This is how he is feeling now...Praise the Lord!
!
Here's a few pictures that sum up how Levi has felt...
This is how he is feeling now...Praise the Lord!
!
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Too cute!
The other week the 2 older kids and I were out at a Sunday school pizza/movie night. (A reward for those children who managed to learn all the books of the Bible.) Dean had the 2 munchkins at home. Dean was making pancakes for him and Aleah and he asked Aleah to set the table. This is what she did all of her own accord...
(not a very clear picture...sorry)
Aleah got her tablecloth from her playthings, then laid out the plates and the cutlery and any thing else that was needed.
(She had her face painted earlier in the day)
It was a special treat to be eating at her little table in the front room, and yes- Dean sat at the little table and ate pancakes with his little girl.
Dean's attempt to get everyone at the dinner party in the photo!
(not a very clear picture...sorry)
Aleah got her tablecloth from her playthings, then laid out the plates and the cutlery and any thing else that was needed.
(She had her face painted earlier in the day)
It was a special treat to be eating at her little table in the front room, and yes- Dean sat at the little table and ate pancakes with his little girl.
Dean's attempt to get everyone at the dinner party in the photo!
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Fall Fun
Here's a few pictures from our visit with our friends in Nottingham. We seem to have started a tradition when we are with them...a big leaf fight/bundle. The kids love to try and get Dean to the ground or at least shove leaves down his clothes. 
Levi wasn't too sure about being sat amongst a bunch of leaves!
Aleah loved to cover herself up completely!
It was all fun and games until we discovered that there was a little more than just leaves amongst the pile! (peuww!)
Levi wasn't too sure about being sat amongst a bunch of leaves! 
Aleah loved to cover herself up completely! It was all fun and games until we discovered that there was a little more than just leaves amongst the pile! (peuww!)
Sunday, 1 November 2009
I've been tagged
My sister in law has 'tagged' me on her blog to give my top 5 baby/child tips as well as top 5 baby products. When I first thought about this I drew a blank. It took me longer than expected, especially as I am a mother of 4.
Top 5 baby/child tips
1. Get on a schedule as soon as possible. For your sanity, for your family's sanity, and so that your baby knows whether they are coming or going! It does help with sleeping through the night all mine slept through the night from 6-8 weeks with the exception of the last who milked it and only starting sleeping through at 12 weeks. Mine were all on pretty solid 'feed-wake-sleep' cycles from around 4 weeks. A few of mine had the cycles switched around, but they never fell asleep during a feed. On the subject of feeding ...that's my no.2
2. When it comes to feeding a baby do what works for you! Breast feeding is best, but if it isn't working for you GIVE IT UP!!! I stressed for 2 weeks with my first and it wasn't working - there was a lot of pressure from the midwives to keep it going but it wasn't working for us. I knew that it was best, but was never thrilled with the whole idea of breast feeding. When I made the decision to change to bottle feeding (formula) it changed my whole outlook. I have never looked back with any of my babies. (The midwives stopped hastling me about it finally with my fourth baby.)It is great too because everyone can help out when it comes to feeding! I also recommend that breast feeding moms express a feed now and then so that Dad's can have that 'bonding' time with baby.
3. DO NOT GIVE IN TO PICKY EATERS! I did and had to spend a year of agonizing mealtimes to undo what I allowed to happen. I have a very picky eater, and I used to make 'children's meals' and 'adult meals'. I, with the support of my husband, finally decided to make one meal and everyone had to have 1 mommy serving of it. It was miserable for a LONG time, but with God's help, the support of each other, and consistency meal times are A LOT better. (NOT always great, but the expectation is clear)
4. CHORES and RESPONSIBILITIES. Children can do all kinds of jobs around the the house. Families work together, Mom is NOT the slave. I am still working on this, especially trying to get them to 'do everything without complaining'. This is an area I can still improve on, my kids do the basics - ie: unloading dishwasher, setting the table, clearing the table, sweeping, collecting the rubbish, cleaning the bathroom, cleaning their rooms, hoovering the carpets.
5. Follow through with what you say - which means you need to really think about what you saying before it comes out of your mouth.
TOP 5 Baby Products
1. Wipes!(not sure I'll ever give these up...they're great for cleaning lots of things!)
2.Boppy Pillow or V shaped pillow. Great for pregnancy, babies of all ages, and ours has been noted as quite comfy as a guest pillow.
3. Pushchair/Stroller - lost count at how many we have owned over the years. We currently have an all purpose 3 wheeler (we do a lot of walking) and a lightweight Maclaren for public transport use, or as a grab and go.
4. NON SPILL SIPPY CUPS.
5. Bath Seat for wriggly, slippery, splashy babies. Levi is especially hard to hold on to in the bath...these seats have kept all by babies safe and happy in the bath.
Top 5 baby/child tips
1. Get on a schedule as soon as possible. For your sanity, for your family's sanity, and so that your baby knows whether they are coming or going! It does help with sleeping through the night all mine slept through the night from 6-8 weeks with the exception of the last who milked it and only starting sleeping through at 12 weeks. Mine were all on pretty solid 'feed-wake-sleep' cycles from around 4 weeks. A few of mine had the cycles switched around, but they never fell asleep during a feed. On the subject of feeding ...that's my no.2
2. When it comes to feeding a baby do what works for you! Breast feeding is best, but if it isn't working for you GIVE IT UP!!! I stressed for 2 weeks with my first and it wasn't working - there was a lot of pressure from the midwives to keep it going but it wasn't working for us. I knew that it was best, but was never thrilled with the whole idea of breast feeding. When I made the decision to change to bottle feeding (formula) it changed my whole outlook. I have never looked back with any of my babies. (The midwives stopped hastling me about it finally with my fourth baby.)It is great too because everyone can help out when it comes to feeding! I also recommend that breast feeding moms express a feed now and then so that Dad's can have that 'bonding' time with baby.
3. DO NOT GIVE IN TO PICKY EATERS! I did and had to spend a year of agonizing mealtimes to undo what I allowed to happen. I have a very picky eater, and I used to make 'children's meals' and 'adult meals'. I, with the support of my husband, finally decided to make one meal and everyone had to have 1 mommy serving of it. It was miserable for a LONG time, but with God's help, the support of each other, and consistency meal times are A LOT better. (NOT always great, but the expectation is clear)
4. CHORES and RESPONSIBILITIES. Children can do all kinds of jobs around the the house. Families work together, Mom is NOT the slave. I am still working on this, especially trying to get them to 'do everything without complaining'. This is an area I can still improve on, my kids do the basics - ie: unloading dishwasher, setting the table, clearing the table, sweeping, collecting the rubbish, cleaning the bathroom, cleaning their rooms, hoovering the carpets.
5. Follow through with what you say - which means you need to really think about what you saying before it comes out of your mouth.
TOP 5 Baby Products
1. Wipes!(not sure I'll ever give these up...they're great for cleaning lots of things!)
2.Boppy Pillow or V shaped pillow. Great for pregnancy, babies of all ages, and ours has been noted as quite comfy as a guest pillow.
3. Pushchair/Stroller - lost count at how many we have owned over the years. We currently have an all purpose 3 wheeler (we do a lot of walking) and a lightweight Maclaren for public transport use, or as a grab and go.
4. NON SPILL SIPPY CUPS.
5. Bath Seat for wriggly, slippery, splashy babies. Levi is especially hard to hold on to in the bath...these seats have kept all by babies safe and happy in the bath.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Getting ready for a break.
Today is the last day of school before the half-term break. We are going to visit some friends of ours in Nottingham for a few days early next week...kids are off school, Dean has a few days off work. S0, I thought it would be a good time to do a little picture diary of some of the things we've been up to over the last 6 weeks.
'Hanging Out' at home...Aleah is starting to share lots of things with Levi.
'Hanging Out' with friends. (Levi and is friend Ivy)
Aleah started doing some 'school work' at home. We are learning numbers, shapes, letters, and Bible verses.
Learning about new responsibilities!
Growing closer together as a family!
'Hanging Out' at home...Aleah is starting to share lots of things with Levi.
'Hanging Out' with friends. (Levi and is friend Ivy)
Aleah started doing some 'school work' at home. We are learning numbers, shapes, letters, and Bible verses.
Learning about new responsibilities!
Growing closer together as a family!
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Graduation Day!!!
After 6 long years of part-time study, Dean has finally officially graduated! He put in a lot of hard work so it was with great joy and pride that he received his degree on Saturday. 
Dean and I have now both completed university. At one point we were both students at the same time as being parents! I was a full-time student for 3 years and Dean started part-time at Oak Hill while working part-time for the church. It wasn't easy, but with the support of friends and family and the strength that only comes from God we were able to accomplish our goals. May this be an encouragement to any of you who are thinking about returning to higher education. It can be done! There were many times during 'essay' time that the children and I camped out at the local park or anyones house that would have us for the day. I am thankful that those times are over now, but I know that it certainly built character! He is the first one of his family to graduate university - quite an achievement. Dean was allowed to have 3 guests with him at the ceremony so his parents and I attended this special moment together. We would have loved for our children to be there as well, after all, we feel that this was a whole family achievement. Here are a few photos from the day. Enjoy!! 
Dean and I have now both completed university. At one point we were both students at the same time as being parents! I was a full-time student for 3 years and Dean started part-time at Oak Hill while working part-time for the church. It wasn't easy, but with the support of friends and family and the strength that only comes from God we were able to accomplish our goals. May this be an encouragement to any of you who are thinking about returning to higher education. It can be done! There were many times during 'essay' time that the children and I camped out at the local park or anyones house that would have us for the day. I am thankful that those times are over now, but I know that it certainly built character! He is the first one of his family to graduate university - quite an achievement. Dean was allowed to have 3 guests with him at the ceremony so his parents and I attended this special moment together. We would have loved for our children to be there as well, after all, we feel that this was a whole family achievement. Here are a few photos from the day. Enjoy!! 
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