7 Littles NATIVITY!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:8-14

Today Started AS...

A normal home school day with the Pledge of Allegiance, the singing of "My Country Tis of Thee" and our daily devotion and prayer.

NOTICE-1 pantless & 2 leotard wearers-LOVE IT!

Then the 7 littles separated out into their grade levels-here are the preschoolers.

I was sitting RIGHT THERE giving insturctions on PATTERNS
While at the same time helping with my kindergartener and the 4th & 6th grader.

STILL..I WAS RIGHT THERE!

I didn't really notice it AT FIRST.

Look at Bit But's COLLAR...

Upon closer examination, I simply asked "did you cut your hair?"

This was his reaction-tears, apology and guilt!

I thank God I don't have to miss these teaching opportunities of truth telling and forgiveness. I thank God I AM THEIR TEACHER and I-ONLY I get to smile and relish in every little experience-experiences that are priceless and time I will never get back. It's times like this when I am proud to be ONE OF THEM THERE CRAZY HOME SCHOOLIN MAMAS!

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deutoronomy 11:18-19

And its not the FIRST OR LAST time one of the 7 littles will take their "HAIR FASHION" into their own hands!

Nursing according to Jen..

I am doing this post to tell all you moms who MAY want to nurse or know about nursing how it is going and what has worked for me :)

I am a new nursing mom. This is the first time I've TRULY nursed a baby and it is going GREAT so far.

While Bakers was in the NICU I pumped religiously like a MAD FIEND! She was only fed through a feeding tube until she was able to nurse and she caught on quickly!

Here are some MUST HAVE products I have found for nursing.

OF COURSE THE BOPPY-Couldn't live without this bad boy! Use it EVERY TIME I nurse during the day at home.

I have wondered about MY BREST FRIEND and if I should have gotten it instead. HAVE ANY OF YOU USED IT? I've seen Mrs. Duggar using it while walking around and wondered if I could do the same?

THE Nursing SLEEP BRA. Made with light support. I wear this at night and it is a great price from Motherhood Maternity-only $14.98.

I wear them at night with these WONDERFUL NURSING Jammies and Nightgown from JCPENNEY. They are SO SOFT, comfortable and easy to nurse in and around $25 each.

I was looking for a nursing bra to fit me and it is SO HARD to order when you live in the boonies and can't really try them on in a store.  I am a size 36E right now and I could not find that size anywhere.

I found this GREAT BRA from BRAVADO DESIGNS and I LOVE IT. It is wireless, supportive, comfortable & easy to nurse in.  It was expensive but I don't regret it a bit!

MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE Purchase are these,  Gilligan & O'Malley nursing tanks from Target.

I wear them to sleep in, around the house and they are SO CONVENIENT to wear under t-shirts because then when you nurse, you can lift your shirt but your belly is still covered by the tank top. I have gray, black and white and WANT MORE! I'm sure I will wear these out!

The best thing is they are ONLY $16.99! But in my book..worth a million$$$!

What is this CRAZINESS YOU ASK?  This is my NURSING REMINDER. A simple green hair band helps me remember which side I will nurse on next. As soon as I start feeding her, I switch the hair band to the other wrist.  With The Captain back at work & the 7 littles at home, I can barely remember my own name people!! Whatever works right?

And last but not least, my ROCKIN BABY SLING.

I nurse Bakers in this during stressful situations. I have nursed her in this while cooking dinner, wiping rears, doing laundry and many other motherly duties and IT WORKS!

The sleeping arrangements go like this.. MOSTLY OUR BABY SLEEPS WITH US and we love every minute! She is on HER SCHEDULE-feeding on demand which works freat so far!

She is a GREAT sleeper. She usually goes down around 10:30 or 11:00 into her bassinet. Sleeps for 3-4 hours and then she joins us in bed to nurse and cuddle!

I SURVIVED MY FIRST WEEK ALONE with the  7 savages  7 littles WITH THE CAPTAIN at work-YIPPEE!

I am hoping my amateur nursing advice/tips help someone!

If any of you moms out there have any other nursing products or advice you can recommend PLEASE DO TELL! I am still learning!

YOU GROW GIRL! 1 Month!

We celebrated her 1 month birthday at the pool with her SPORTIN' her swim suit!

She didn't actually get IN the water but she still looked ADORABLE!

Our First time with the 7 littles at the pool!

It went REALLY WELL!

The Captain held baby the entire time while I played in the water with the kids!

Here we are at "break time".

I ALWAYS take my own snacks and drinks.

I pop popcorn and usually take a sweet snack too like fruit snacks or granola bars to keep the littles ENERGIZED!

It is A LOT of work but OH SO MUCH FAMILY FUN!

We make it to the pool once a week or so and WE LOVE IT!

One day we would LOVE to get a pool of our own!

HAPPY 1 month to our little MIRACLE GIRL!