Hi Mommie's to be!

We are expecting our 6th gift from the Lord on Aug. 7th. I didn't realize how much I wanted another baby till I found out we were having one!!

4mo. into my pregnancy, I misscarried. Of course I was heart broken, and so was everyone else since we had just 2 wk.'s before told the other children. It was a hard, sad experience for us all, I was saddest for my children I think. But we all pulled together.

I was getting set for a back surgery to remove 2 collapsed disc's in my spine when a general ultra sound of the area, (they were going in through my belly), revealed a pregnancy. I was shocked!! Didn't know what to think let alone say to my family. I was nervous to tell my children since the ultra sound also revealed a blood clot, (sub chorionic hematoma), in my placenta. I was only about 3wk.'s along, and my Dr. scheduled me for an ultrasound every 1-2 wk.'s to monitor the clot which could tear the placetna from the uterus and end the pregnancy at any time. My husband & I told know one at first. Thank God for the support of my man, he's always been such a wonderful husband. Then we only told those close to us who would pray for us and support us under whatever circumstances we found ourselves in.

I was around 3 1/2 mo.'s and already starting to show!! So, we started telling everyone else, and finally, our children. So resiliant and ready to love, they were THRILLED!! And all so sweet in their care for me. I am SOO Blessed by my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. How anyone could deserve such love I just don't know. But, here I am surrounded by it.

About me: Alisha, (Ali), wife to Frankie, Mother to Michael, Levi, Elijah, Esther, Sadie, and......

I love: The saviour of my Soul, family, friends, laughter, babies, a great cup of Darjeeling, rainy mornings, sleeping in, getting up early, photograps - taking and veiwing, babies, camp fires, singing loudly, the smell of newborn babies, history, talking things through, books, books, books, the library, breastfeeding, flowers, children, anything PINK, swimming, gardening, teaching, cooking, holding hands,'old' people, new people, people in-between, hearing about 'the good ol' days', and enjoying the moment where I am right now.

5/14/07 The pregnancy has progressed past the point of danger & the whole family is SOO excited! I've FINALLY stopped being nervous and can't wait to hold this precious gift.

These are our 5 giggling blessings :-)

Won't another little bundle plopped in the middle be adorable!

Ultrasound say's it's a BOY!!

I can't get the pic to load though :-/

Hope they're right, we've been shopping!!

Pregnancy Survey

About You:

Name?: Alisha

Age?: 36

Height?: 5'6

About The Father

Name?: Frankie, My Love

Age?: 36

Height?: 5`8

Are you still together?: Happily ever after

About Your Pregnancy

Is this your first pregnancy?: 9^th (I`ve had 3 miscarriages).

When did you find out you were pregnant?: when I was preping for back surgery!!!

Was it planned?: We had just miscarried, that pregnancy was planned, this one was a surprise J

What was your first reaction?: Shock & Awe

Who was with you when you found out?: The Dr.

Who was the first person you told?: My Love, then, all my girlfriends J

How did your parents react?: Don`t have any to tell, I grew up in & out of foster care

How far along are you?: 33 wk.`s & 3 days

What was your first symptom?: tired & GREEN!

What is your due date?: August 07, 2007

Do you know the sex of the baby?: YES! I think??

If so, what is it?: If the ultrasound tech is right it`s a BOY!!!!

Have you picked out names?: YES! For a boy, not sure yet for a girl, but we`re thinking

If so, what are they?: let ya know later ;-)

How much weight have you gained?: a lot! 40# UGH!!!

Do you have stretch marks?: yes, but from my first pregnancy. Then I got smart & never got anymore J

Have you felt the baby move?: My belly dances to the rhythm, amazes me every time. God is so AWESOME the way He put all this togehter

Have you heard the heartbeat?: YESSS!! amazing!

What`s been the hardest thing about being pregnant so far?: being too tired to do all the things I have/like to do.

What`s been the best thing about being pregnant so far?: the expectation of a new little life. ahhh

About the birth

Will you keep the baby?: Of course, it`s my Gift from God!!

Home or hospital birth?: Homebirth in a birthing pool! I`ve had hospital births, but, being at home, is SOOO much easier than flat on your back strapped to a monitor in a strange uncomfortable bed, with a bunch of strangers watching you like an animal in a circus performance!! Okay, I'm over it! :)

Natural or medicated birth?: Natural, our bodies know what to do when left to do it.

Who will be in the delivery room with you?: My Love, my 2 midwives, and maybe my soon to be 6 yr. Old daughter, she SOOO wants to be at the birth, but I`m not sure if she should??? What do ya think??

Will you breastfeed?: YES!! Helps me get skinny quicker, and it makes a healthy happy Bundle. It amazes me all the benefits of nursing, like, did you know breastfeeding for Baby for 1 yr. Makes him have lower cholesteral as an adult?!?!?!?!? Or that; adults who were breastfed are less likely to have weight problems?!?!?!? Amazing stuff!!

Do you think you'll need a c-section?: I hope not, though alot get pushed into them!!!

Do you think you`ll cry when you hold the baby for the first time?: like a baby!

What's the first thing you might say to him/her?: I`ve loved you for SOO long.

Would you let someone videotape the birth?: No. I think giving birth is intimate like the act of getting pregnant is, not sexual, just private I guess. I do like a few pic.s though. (no bumm shot`s).

Are you excited about the birth, or scared?: I`ve done this before and know what to expect, so I`m a little scared, BUT, I`ve done this before and know what to expect so I`m really EXCITED!!!!

Do you think you`ll have more children after this?: maybe??

I can`t WAIT to meet my Baby Bundles.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalms 127:3

7/10/07

Okay, so I have put on a 'few' more pounds than I had anticipated here :-) But, I don't think I'll keep them for long. Since our sweltering hot week-end I have been SOOO sick to my stomach and about the only thing I'm really eating is watermellon and drinking protein shakes or Rasberry Iced tea. I'm trying not to be impatient as I know it could still be many weeks more, but I feel so sick and exhausted, and with so many others to care for, I really hope this little Bundle will come sooner than later. My other children are being so helpful I have no right to complain, Levi even made my favorite white cake yesterday!! He's warming up for my Birthday he say's, which is just a couple of weeks away. I'm trying not to feel like maybe I'm just getting to old to handle pregnancy, but, a couple of my girlfriends are my age having their 1st and one having her 2nd. Maybe my body is wearing out, maybe I'm just feeling sorry for myself cause I feel so cruddy!!! SO GLAD this passes!! If we didn't feel so miserable how would we ever push ourselves to labor!! (sigh).

07/17/07

I'd swear I was in labor if I didn't know any better! My midwife says she thinks the reason my labors go so quickly, (usually 3-5 hours), is because I do all my latent stage laboring days & weeks in advance!! I will labor for hours or days, real contractions, just no dialation, then.......it all stops. When I had my first two I ended up being induced both times because of this. With a midwife I learned to let my body work it out. After the latent stage, 2nd stage always begins by my waters bursting!! So there is NO MISTAKING it's "IT".

I'm just feeling very tired today from all of it :( But I know that even though these last weeks seem to drone on in the final stages, it will all be another memory soon enough, and I will be consumed with the love and cares of tending to this precious gift. So, *sigh* trying to find things to take my mind off baby things for a while so I don't obsess about going into labor!

7/24/07 Had my 38 wk. apt. today with my Midwife. All is well, measuring right on target, haven't gained anymore, (like I needed to *sarcasm*)! Baby Bundles is still head down and all systems are GO! Feeling pretty good, tired, eager :)

***EVERY PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD READ THE BOOK PUSHED***

WWW.PUSHEDBIRTH.COM

*Here's my TOP 5*

*Mommy MUST haves*

#5 - a Sling, type of baby carrier. Makes baby happier, & Mommy happier, gives you free hands, a discreet way to nurse, SO many benifits. Helps with colic, brain developement, motor skills, digestion, gets Baby's bio-rythyms in sync with mom and makes SUCH a calmer baby, and on & on. I own several so I always have one on hand, I even made one myself this time!!

This one is actually my own 'stitch of domesticity'!! (i'm not a great sewer so i'm very pleased with myself). There's dozens of brands and styles available out there, even free patterns for the do-it-your-selfers. From outrageosly priced to great bargains. Either way, weather you invest your time or your $$, one of the best investments you'll ever make.

#4 - a 'My Brest Friend' nursing pillow. Dumb name, great product. Helps make position for nursing/feeding perfect. No back ache for Mommy, no spitting up for Baby. (don't under estimate this item, NOT the same as a boppy style). Least expensive at a Burlington Coat Factory.

#3 - a copy of "The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers" by Dr. Jack Newman. YES, it's written by a man, but in this case....don't hold that against him. His research and insight are amazing and he is the LEADING authority on breastfeeding in the world! I had the pleasure of his help personally. He worked with my doc.'s as to what meds I could take for a major surgery I had to have shortly after my youngest daughter was born while still being able to nurse. Gruff, but kind and oh so wise. And his book is SOO hepful, almost as good as working with him personally.

#2 - a copy of "The Baby Book" by Dr. Sears & his wife Martha, who is a nurse and they are parents of 8!! This book has everything from, "Oh MY!! WHAT IS THAT RASH YOU'VE GOT" to, "Week-end warrior potty training". Fabulous practicle stuff, humorous too!

#1 - The number to your local La Leche League. www.lalecheleague.org Go to a meeting while still pregnant if possible. If you have a desire to breatfeed at all, THIS is the place to go. Experianced moms, lactation consultants, some medical professionals attend. There is a lending library, oodles of support to get you and Baby off to a good start, fun, friendly, informative, AND, it's a great way to meet other Mommies well :) I've made lifetime friends, and went from a mom who 'couldn't nurse' to 'able to do it with confidence'. Did I mention it's FREE!

Formula is listed as a "DRUG" by The U.S. dept. of Health & Human services (www.4women.gov) for a reason! According to THEIR statistics: Babies who AREN'T breastfed are 250% more likely to suffer respitory diseases,suffer from a wide range of infectious diseases and have a 21% higher mortality rate. Formula fed infants have “more ear and gastrointestinal infections, as well as higher rates of diabetes, leukemia, obesity, asthma and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. PLUS formula contains MSG, the ones for 'sensitive' digestion contain the MOST amount!! (After years of research for work, I would rather give Breast Milk from a Breast~Milk~Bank or raw goat/cow milk before using formula, READ the ing. ladies)!!!

08/17/07 As always my DD has come & gone. I know it's just an ESTIMATED date, but I always hope just once I'll have my Bundle B4 that little number on the calander :) I keep changing my DD on my page so it says I have 2 days left because I don't want to expire! LOL!! Anyway, nothing has changed, feeling fine, having a hard time sleeping or gettting comfortable. Same as everyone else at this stage; back hurts, hips hurt, waaa, waaa, waaa. I remind myself a coming Baby is as inevitable as our coming Saviour, you just don't know what day or time.

Birth Story

Haven`t had a chance to check in since Friday, it was a bit of a busy week-end.

I was a little disappointed to say the least to find out my EDD was a week off. So I was 2 weeks over not 3. But I was thinking; if I do go 3 wk.`s over, I still have another week to go! Feeling a bit sorry for myself, but wanting to get on with my day`, I decided to do my Monday cleaning Friday to have it finished going into the week-end. With a bit of a miffed attitude I started my dusting, vacuuming, etc, Trying to enjoy my little helpers and not be cranky with them.

I was having contractions but nothing unusual from what I`ve been having, I ignored them because at THIS point, it was ridiculous to keep thinking; this could be it as it was getting so annoying that it obviously WASN`T all the time.

Around 4p I clearly couldn`t ignore them any longer & called my husband, 'I need you', I said, 'REALLY'?!?!, he asked obviously surprised. 'I`m on my way'. I called my midwife and friend whose a Doula next. (She's the one who took all these beautiful pic's for me). Both on their way. 15 minutes later my husband was home and took a quick shower to freshen up. I went up stairs to lie down and catch my breath and collect my thoughts. A few minutes later my husband was by my side. At 4:30 my midwife arrived, 5 min. later the Doula. By this time my contractions started coming fast and furious, I could hardly wrap my mind around the fact that this was really it. The midwife was busy setting things set up and I wondered as I always do: can I really do this?? How can I handle this pain?? 'Should we get you in the pool', my midwife suggested. It was now 5p. The water felt fabulous, I was feeling so hot and it was refreshing to me.

My sweet daughter, not quite 6, slipped into the room and started rubbing my arm. My husband was leaning over the birthing pool rubbing my back and being so encouraging with each contraction. When the strong urges to push came, I started making noises I couldn`t believe were actually coming from myself. I was making these low groanings that were so strange sounding & kinda funny. My husband saw I was really shaking and having a hard time at this point and just slid right into the water next to me to hold me. It helped me so much to have him in there with me. He told me after word he though my back must have went out or something & that he was really afraid for me. I pushed for 17 minutes, out came Baby`s head. I reached down to feel it and realized my bag of waters had not yet broken. Know I knew why it was so incredibly hard trying to push him out. My midwife reached in and broke my waters, 3 minutes later, our beautiful son emerged and I lifted him up into my arms.

emerging!

At 6:02 Simon Timothy was born.

Simon means "One who harkens unto the LORD". That`s my hope and prayer for him.

in my arms at last!

Soon after, I was showered & in my bed with my prize, Surrounded by the rest of my children while the midwives did the newborn exam & all the routine things.

I could`ve fallen over when he was weighed, 9 lb. 6 oz.!! My biggest baby!!!

It was so amazing. I will always look back at my birth experience feeling so blessed and empowered. Knowing my body was created for this amazing miracle that only God could design. It was so awesome, difficult, stretching, burning, overwhelming, strenthening, empowering, natural, victorious, frightening, peaceful, miraculous, amazing, AWESOME!

And, like always, I thought I couldn't do it! lool!

and yet...........I did.

1st milk

Proud Papa

my beautiful daughter, "The Little Midwife", she was SOO pleased to be with me for the birth and it was very special to me to have her there.

....and then there were six

True Love: Simon at 24 hour's ( we were singing "Happy Birthday" to him :)

I wish everyone could have such a wonderful birth!! I`m wishing you all the BEST!! It`s SO worth all we go through as women, and I can`t thank you all enough for all the fun, friendship, and support. Especially in the last annoying weeks, lool!! Having dozens of other mom`s going through the exact same thing was a new experience. I really have appreciated you girls. BIG HUGS, Alisha

Autumn Harvest

Can't believe it, Simon is a month old now! I was SOOO right, he looks fabulous plopped in the middle there!!

DECEMBER 11, 2007

Well, little Simon is 3 & 1/2mo.'s now. Here's a few new pic.'s to show how he's getting on.

Love hurts sometimes, but notice the 2 other siblings in the background running to the rescue, lool!

Happy, Healthy

Little Si was crying but Daddy got him laughin again :) (so cute with the shiny tears still in his eyes)

Sweat Pea Smiles

Levi thought Sadie's pony was perfect size to give little Simon a ride! YEEEHAW!!

wanted SOO MUCH to get Mommie's apple in his mouth! Mmmm..

Hot off the press! Taken this morning :)

Simon likes cuddles and snuggles these days, thinks his hands are especially delicious, can't stand sleeping with socks on, and will probably not learn to crawl till he's ONE since his brothers & sisters are always wanting to hold him! LOL! He is truly loved! But as noted earlier, (see pic above), sometimes love hurts, lool!

He is still exclusivley nursing, fitting into 6-9mo. clothes SNUUGGLY, 12mo. clothes a little more comfortably! Partly because he wears thick cozy cloth diapers which give that nice chubby bum look, and partly because he has his Daddy's smile and his Mommies thighs :D

(incidently I still have a chubby bumm, just not from cloth diapers;) but, I am back to the gym, TRYING to not eat like a horse, while awaiting my matabolism to kick back up. I have never been one of those girls to fit back in my clothes 6wk.'s later, but, I always get back there so no worries.

My husband is ready to have another baby already, all my children keep talking about, "the next one", I'm still hoping to lose 27 pounds :) Though truth be told, deep breath here, I would fall in love with the whole idea all over again! deep breaths, BIG deep breaths, 7 children, are we CRAZY or WHAT!!

Simon is 6mo.'s

Isn't it amazing how the last weeks of pregnancy drag on and on, yet the first months of a babies life whips past us in such an amazing frenzy it's hard to catch our breath let alone take a nap!!

At 6 months Simon likes.................

Nakedness and baths :D

fuzzy bath mats & Duckie robes

He didn't much like food the first few tries,

and thought banana's to be.............

ESPECIALY disgusting! YUCK! thumbs down!

But has finally decided oats are pretty good.

He's THINKING about crawling,

but at the moment only revs up his engine on hands and knees and once in a while propels himself forward to the hysterical delight of all his older siblings.

Hanging out in the families small library where Mommy works and Brothers and sisters do their studies is a fun place to be in the morning, that is.....

before we finally tire out for a nap.

Also, at 6 mo.'s Simon thinks car rides are relaxing, books are wonderful both to listen to and to eat, and he is making friends with the family dog, Boots. Simon weighs 17lb.'s is 26" long, is still breastfeeding and is in the 95th percentile! He wears 12-18mo. clothes and is not really a fat chubby baby, just BIG! The "jump~up~seat" is terrific fun for all involved and so far no teeth, but as typical for this age, everything is taste tested to decide if it's interesting or not :D And, as typical, it's hard to believe that in 6 more months, I will be making

"The Cake"!

a book & a potty is all ANY man needs, at ANY age.......even 6mo.'s!!

(YES! he REALY goes)!

Simon is 9 months!

At 9 mo.'s Simon likes..............

Playing outside and digging in the gardens with all his co-workers.......

Pony rides, puppies, and kittens.

He still likes books.

He pulls them all of the shelf in the library and then ........

He pretends to be shocked by the mess, LOL!!

Simon loves the fact that he can WALK freely accross the yard!!!! Simon started walking a little at 8 mo.'s & 3 wk.'s He started just standing up and heading off in every direction confidently at 9 mo.'s and 3 days!! He also likes climbing stairs, the coffee table or anything else he can get away with!

Nakedness, still. He took his dipey off and decided HE was the best thing growing in the garden :)

Simon is also known as:

"The Super Duper Thumb Sucker"

Simon is the 4th boy in our family to wear these Osh-Kosh overalls. He's the youngest one to fit in them, my oldest son got them when he was ONE!! Sweet to see they've all got a picture taken in them : )

Simon also still breastfeeds, has two bottom teeth, (working on a top), and loves food of all kinds. Some of his favorites include; fingers, (and toes), cooked oats or rice w/molasses, scrambled eggs, avacado, roasted tatoes, cottage cheese, all veggies & fruit, fresh bananas and stawberries mixed in yougurt, and molasses breast milk especially to wash it all down!

Simon Says; "momma, dada, up, nana", (while pointing to a banana), "doe" - for dog, and

"AH DU" - translated all done :)

He still sleeps through the night, weighs 20.5 lb.'s and is 27.5" long. He is still wearing 18 mo.- 2T clothing since he has thinned out some from all the walking and mountain climbing. He is VERY fond of music, patty-cake, toe kissies, and even pretends to 'sing' with his sissies. He also has this silly thing of loving to suck his thumb and hold my hair for comfort and if he can't get to mine he'll rub his own head while sucking his thumb, LOOL! He is such a snugglie cuddler and everyone agrees his cheeks are especially YUMMIE!!!

And he claps with delight as he and mommy play

'Pat-a-cake'

with our feetsies, and wrestling with Daddy. The year of 'firsts' is drawing to a close at record speed and we are having a fun ride!