Just Five Years

This week, Kyle was awarded with his Five Year plaque at work. At the staff meeting, his boss laughingly asked: And how many kids did you have five years ago, Kyle?

We only had two kids.

A lot can change in just five years.

Our New Schedule

Baby Julia is close to 3 weeks old now and our daily schedule has changed considerably. That first week, we didn't do a thing other than eat, sleep, and stare at Julia. All of us.

Week 2, I got the kids back to their chores and readings. While I sleep until noon (or almost noon), Elena leads the Bible study while the kids all eat their breakfast. (She reads the Psalm and Proverb of the day.) Then they set the timer for 30 minutes & do their chores; with Maya overseeing her team's chores and Isaac overseeing his team's chores. Finally, they set the timer for 20 minutes and have quiet reading time. After lunch, I read our literature reading and then the littles and I go down for a nap. At night, the kids take turns doing math via Flashmaster and if Kyle and I aren't having a home date, we listen to a chapter or two of Prince Caspian audio drama.

It has worked out well so far. I get the sleep I need, we're getting some school in, and the house isn't a total wreck. I can't imagine how I did this last time around when my so-called "helpers" were only 5 and 3 year olds. It clearly was not this easy then.

It's Another Girl!

Julia Danielle was born Sunday, January 10th at 8 pm.

At noon on Sunday, we sat down to watch Pilgrim's Progress as a family. Contractions started then and were every 10+ minutes. I was begging the Lord to let them continue. They were short and so infrequent! We watched the movie while Elena kept track of my contractions.

By the last half hour of the movie, I was ready for a smaller audience. I called my friend to come pick up the boys and Lydia. Shortly after they left, we called the midwife, Robin; my good friend & photographer, Gretchen; and my sister. They arrived at 4pm.

When Robin checked me after arriving, she said I was 7 cm! I was ecstatic!! Well, 3 hours in the pool later, I was still a 7. Grrrrr! Robin broke my water to get things moving, and although the discomfort was significantly less, contractions were still far spaced. I kept falling asleep between them. We finally figured out that baby's head was lopsided, so Robin had me get on the couch and lie on my side. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. (slight exaggeration; meaning: This was very uncomfortable!) When each contraction hit, I said: I feel like I'm going to throw up!

30 min later, no vomit, and baby had moved into proper position. I was able to get back in the pool. More falling asleep between contractions, but I distinctly heard Robin tell Kyle: If she doesn't make more progress, she's going to have to get out of the pool again.

According to Kyle, a demon spoke through me at that point and growled: I'M NOT GETTING OUT OF THIS POOL!

So, I got serious and started pushing with every contraction. Robin slowed me down and 4 pushes later, I had a baby girl in my arms.

Julia weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. and was 19 3/4 inches long.

(Winners of the Baby Bet to be announed soon.)

When Will Baby Clark Arrive??

Place your bets now. Will it be a boy or a girl? What day will baby arrive? How much will baby weigh? How long will baby be?

FYI:

Elena was 1 week early. 6 lbs. 15 oz. 18.5" long.

Chloe was 10 days late. 8 lbs. 5 oz. 19.5" long.

Lydia was 2 days early. 7 lbs. 14 oz. 19" long.

The winner of this contest will receive a hearty congratulations and free publicity here at Clark Chatter.