Then and Now

I thought I'd document my growing belly since I hardly ever did in previous posts.  Glad to have that baby out, but it's funny how looking at these pictures now I have already forgotten some of the discomforts.... or at least how awful they were.  Although, I'm still trying to decide if sleepless nights are really any better than not being able to physically roll over in bed or bend over to put shoes on or crunching Tums all night long.  I read in a witty book recently that "women were created with a delete button* in the brain.  The umbilical cord winds through the placenta and up through all the organs, finds the secret compartment containing the button, and attaches itself.  That would also explain why it takes so long for the placenta to dislodge after childbirth.  It takes time to tear away from that button and pop it into delete mode before making its journey back through the body... It makes sense, if you think about it.  The tummy swells, the ankles swell, so why couldn't there be an area in the brain that swells until the little button is pushed to release a vacuum that sucks out all memory cells involving labor pain and childbirth?" (Mother's daze by Jane Still) AND I would add that it deletes the whole 9 months in general!  I guess that's how baby #2, 3... 6 actually make it here in the first place. 
*Please note there is no scientific proof of that button. ;)

Austin - 3 weeks

As for life now 3+ weeks later.  We are surviving.  Some days more gracefully than others. I'm always behind, but I did get most of my garden planted, went to the school to watch Rachel in her music class, got the dishes done and even ventured out to Walmart with the baby and Eliza (not all in the same day unfortunately).  I have lost a couple children a couple different times and sometimes feel like all I do is feed a baby... sometimes I say moo.  BUT we are happy (most of the time) and taking it a moment at a time.  Austin is a good baby.  He has his moments, then I have mine!  He has even smiled at me already.  Not just the "I have gas" smile, it was the real deal.  Can't wait to get it on camera.  I've been blessed with such great family and friends who have kept us fed, my house clean, and my kids entertained.  Give me a couple more months year, at least, to get this under my belt...