Guess WHO

......is still in my belly?

For those of you who are checking in on me every now and again~ give up. *I* have.

My "projects", you know, the ones that I would find to preoccupy myself while waiting so I could be thankful for having extra time, are all DONE now.

I even pampered myself with a faux Scotch tape manicure! Last time I did that was when Andrew was born, I am pretty sure.


The other day, with laundry all caught up, silly things like nails eventually painted, and furniture dusted (for the upteenth time) I told Matt, "Well. All my projects are done. I can't think of a single thing to do to occupy my time. What will I do NOW?" That night, Corynn had a freak bed-wetting accident and somehow a pocketful of sand fell out of Andrews pants' and into his sheets during rest time, leaving two beds to get new sheets and a bathroom full of dirty laundry.

Thanks guys! I knew you would pull through for me.


Actually reaching the actual duedate was SUPER hard for me (THANK you for all your words of encouragement, btw!) and I poured into puddles throughout the day, but since then it has been much easier.

EXCEPT, of course, when I went to church and there was a baby shower for a friend of mine who is due in a few weeks who wasn't actually in attendance because she had HAD her baby the night before. THAT, my friends, was not fun. It took several minutes hiding out in the single bathroom and half a container of CLEAREYES, but I eventually recovered. And enjoyed, immensely, the meatball subs that were served at the part-ay. Meatball subs can make everything right again.

I have been getting pointers as to how to get this baby out. One woman said jokingly "If you paint your toenails tonight, you'll have the baby." Matt did. (Thanks Mattie!)


We've tried a few other suggestions too. Alas. No such luck. ;-)

Silly me even got myself a bouquet of flowers for the table, thinking Smooch ought to have a pretty home to come home to. I realize it makes me ridiculous to think that Smooch will see, understand, comprehend or appreciate flowers on the table~but I can't help myself. If this makes me weird, so be it.


Besides all this pregnancy talk, which even *I* am tiring of, something BIG happened this weekend~but to share it with you, I'll have to take you back a few months.

Back into wintertime, cold nights, and indoor campfires.

We read about a little Farmer Boy turning bigger every day, who plays hard, works harder and thinks hardest of all, while little boy and girl ears soaked it all in for the second time. We read about how Farmer Boy chooses a pig instead of pink lemonade after a wise father fathers and what a 50cent piece really is worth. And then, the farmer boy with the breath I can hear and the big brown eyes that stare and the sweetest redneck accent ever says "I dink I'ma gonna safe MY money so me can buy a sucklin' pig!"


And he does. Religiously. Pouring every bit of nickel and penny and dollar bills into his big beautiful cowbank. Spends several nights counting and jingling his loot in anticipation of "the day" and telling anyone who will listen about his plans. One fateful day, the Saver has ENOUGH.


Like a true Farm boy, then there is work to be done. He sweats with the best of them and prepares a place. For HIS "sucklin'" pig. We decided we might as well get one as well, since Corynn loves her some sausage gravy and bacon is a Newmans' best friend. So, the Farm boy took his money and ours and the pigseller was so impressed he had saved all his money she even gave him a wee bit of a discount!


This past weekend, the pigs came home.

Meet Molly and Charlotte. (I wonder where THAT came from?)

Molly is the pink and Charlotte is the redhead with spots (Andrews' very own!).


I never thought we would become pig farmers. And when people tell you pigs STINK, they really mean it. (Yes, even if there are only two.)

But the children are crazy for them.


And I am crazy for my boy, who showed determination, hard work and perseverance far greater than I would have expected for a four year old. Those are the things I will choose to think about every time I smell that crazy smell.


That is, until I smell the BACON. ;-)

Great with child. STILL.

It has happened. I have officially reached my due date, a first for me. And who knows-I might even go PAST is. (gasp. sniffle. SOB.) Remind me never again to spazz out at 37 weeks, anticipating going early because of previous pregnancies. Because for three weeks now I have been anxious and for three weeks I haven't seen a baby.

I am beginning to wonder if it is going to happen at all. Last night, ALL night long, I had contractions~regular, hard-ish contractions. I was just waiting until I couldn't bear them anymore before waking everyone up. Never did happen. So either my body just likes the feeling of contractions and wants to hang out contracting all day or Smooch is in there hanging on for dear life despite the push to get him/her out. I can imagine it is awfully cozy in there.

I wonder if a conjoined-for-life mother/baby is possible?

(By the way~ for those of you who don't know~ it is INCREDIBLY disheartening for a due-any-day pregnant woman to hear that "Oh-you haven't dropped yet~you have a ways to go yet!" from every Tom, Dick and Harry under the sun. Or the librarian. Or well-meaning churchfolk. Or just innocent random-passersby. For this one and only exception, I would encourage you to lie. Or not. But atleast...REFRAIN.)

God's timing is perfect. God's timing is perfect. God's timing is perfect.

I decided, since I CAN, I might as well take one last (yes, it will be) Smooch Pregnancy shot.

Obviously from the two shots I post, I am not really "feeling it". Didn't even go outside to the good light. Can't even muster a semi-smile. I laughed, in spite of myself, when I saw the pictures because my forlorn expressions really convey perfectly what I am feeling. I am trying HARD not to have a pity party. Most likely exasperated by last nights' sleep-stealing contractions.



On a good note though~because good notes are ALWAYS the best way to leave things

I *DID* cut Matt's hair. So-no woodchucks present at the opening ceremony. (OPENING ceremony?!?! get it?!?! haha har har)

I *DID* finish shredding/freezing the garden zucchini.

I *DID* make a simple going-home outfit for a boy. (Sorry for the awful lighting in the pics)


I blanket-stitched around a super cute kimono, side snap shirt with dark chocolate brown. I love these shirts with a passion. Wish I had some long-sleeve ones too. They are so great. I *almost* embroidered a "J" on the shirt, since of our baby name choices for boys, both begin with J. But then I didn't.

Then I raided the stash and made a pair of pants to coordinate. I must like this fabric for baby pants. Didn't do the kimono pants style this time, just traced around a pair of newborn pants I had. I always forget how simple a project baby pants are...yet how charming. I can envision an entire rainbow-colored wardrobe of these.


I decided to use the leftover bits of scraps and a few coordinated ribbon bits (packrat, I am) to re-do a perfectly nice burp cloth whose value was diminished thanks to the simply heinous cartoon characters printed on it. I am not a fan of "character" stuff. So, I covered them up. The striped ribbon front was inspired by a project in this book.


All this talk of boys~you would think that is what we are having. No so, necessarily. I still think it is a girl. But I have a lovely little take-home number for a girl already, provided I find myself a long-sleeve shirt for underneath.

Well. Looks like Friday night pizza and a movie night is still on, so I guess I had better get some dough rising.

Pardon my belly-aching.

I can't promise it won't be the last. :-)

A Fun Day

Yesterday was a wonderful-good day.

It started with an extra long snuggle and a deep-throated "Happy Anniversary" in my ear.

A day simply cannot go wrong when started this way.

The day had been planned for over a month, ever since I found out about this cool deal and saw that, yesterdays' free family film showing just happened to be the very movie based on the very same chapter book we just finished reading recently. Charlotte's Web! My children have never seen the movie. Nor have they ever been in a movie theater before. Actually, I don't quite think they even knew what a movie theater WAS. So for over a month I have secretly hoped that Smooch would either be long-since born or not-yet born, so that I could treat the children in one of the very best surprises ever.

And it was.

They ate POPTARTS for breakfast so they KNEW something was going on. (This is HUGE, people. Poptarts don't usually make it into the Newman house.)

While I wouldn't say having a squirming 20 month old on your lap for an hour and a half is the ideal situation for a due-in-three-days pregnant woman, I know for sure Corynn and Andrew had a grand time. Andrew, the boy who loves pigs, was entranced. Which of course, made it all worthwhile.

Afterward we had FRIENDLY's for lunch~with a sundae (with four spoons) on top for good measure! And since we were there, we walked the mall a bit. These things, too, are quite the treats for us Newmans.

Since we were close by, we headed to Nanny and Poppy's for a visit (my parents), always nice, and stayed as long as we could until I had to get back home for a date with my now eight-year husband. His parents made and brought supper so that they could watch the children (and I didn't have to make supper) and Matt and I feasted on a gift certificate to one of our favorite (but expensive) restaurants.

A day spent with always the thought of these eight wonderful years of being married to a most precious man tucked in the back of your mind, making everything that happens throughout the day shine in that memory, is a most wonderful day.

And it was over as it began~with warm bodies being molded into one another and husky "Happy Anniversary"s being whispered.

I adore that man. Utterly and completely.

~~~~~~~~~~~

In other news~Smooch still hasn't made his/her arrival (insufferable child) though I can claim for the first time in the HISTORY of my childbearing~that I have a bag PREpacked. (Just did it last night~while having contractions. Again.)

True, my due date is technically on Friday, but when all previous children come early, it is hard not to expect to follow suite (and by implication, get your hopes up.) I have changed sheets, scrubbed toilets and caught up on laundry in preparation for Smoochs' arrival more times than I wish to count~and sadly, as time goes on~I just have to do it all over again.

I have been spending my time trying to soak in the feeling of a life within you....it is unwise to presume this gift will keep being given to me. The ability to create and bear a child within you ought not to be considered lightly and, while I pray to open this gift many more times, I know in my heart that these moments must be treasured now~there is no promise of tomorrow. I try and remember that as I find it impossible to cross my legs like a lady, or wash between my toes, or walk in a non-waddling way. These too, shall pass, and may never return. So find the beauty in the waddles and enjoy the freedom to sit how you like, even if it isn't particularly becoming. :-)

Each day I try and create one or two more goals to accomplish that "will be easier without the new baby". This, my friends, is a way to distract me from the fact that I might actually REACH my due date this time (argh) or go past it. ugh. Todays goal is to make a simple coming home outfit for a boy and to cut Matt's hair. Each time I accomplish a goal, it gives me a reason to be thankful I haven't had the baby yet.

Canned up the peaches. Check. Thank you Lord for helping me be a good steward of our finances
Canned up the tomatoes into salsa. Check. Thank you Lord for enabling me not to be wasteful.

Changed armoire over. Bought diapers. Made a few "special" things. Got laundry caught up. Got an anniversary date with hubs. Took children to movies. Found the "girl" bin and reorganized the attic. Cleaned craft room. Reorganized pantry. check check check check check. Thank you Lord for the chance to accomplish it all while it is far easier to accomplish.

Now please Lord, may I meet this little one soon? :-)

When I clicked "publish" on the BE YE FOREWARNED post on Monday, I had no idea what to expect. It was my hope to lay my position on the table so as to deter nastygrams being sent to me at the peak of my hormonally-imbalanced, sleep-deprived post-delivery euphoric state.
Of course, I had no idea that what would in fact happen would be that I would encounter the most encouraging, uplifting and supportive day in this blogs' history.

It is funny how a few harsh words can drown out the many positive ones, but I can honestly say~you have filled my "happy-tank" to brimming and I won't be needing a fill-up anytime soon, new nastygrams or not. You are all very kind to take a moment to encourage and support this very insignificant woman behind the Renaissance screen. Your kind words were a great gift to my soul.

I wanted to reiterate, also, that I deeply respect those with differing views and/or standards within their Christian walk and don't expect everyone to share mine. I am extremely thankful for that percentage, though small, of individuals who have come to me out of true concern and love. It is a joy and priviledge to be able to discuss differences without offense.

So thank you, to all who took a moment (so many!) to encourage and uplift me. Words are gifts and so is the time you spent on my behalf~small moments of kindness have added up to a heart overflowing with joy.

Be ye forewarned!

Throughout the life of this blog, I have been contacted privately on many occasions by Renaissance readers/visitors who have voiced problems with the content of my blog. Not surprisingly, most of the hate-mail I have received from non-believers has been on the content of my writing. No big surprise there. Interestingly, however, my photographs have brought about hate-mail from fellow Christians and 80% of it has been positively vicious. So vicious, in fact, I have nearly deleted this blog countless times and given up on the blogging thing altogether.

I expect non-believers to be vicious. Vicious CHRISTIANS though? What a sad testament we give, what terrible representatives of Christ we become.

The (bad) input I have received about my photographs have been that they are inappropriate, immodest, or too revealing of private, sacred institutions. Interspersed throughout this post are some of the "culprits" that have brought upon me a sound verbal lashing.

Those vicious ones usually never got a response back from me, they didn't really deserve one. To those few who spoke in love and true concern, I happily discussed and defended my position in private. I figured now is a most wonderful time to bring up the subject openly, here on my blog, since very soon there will be a new little one getting all sorts of photographic attention and some of it will bound to stir up strife.


My blog is a record of our life together and is my (unfortunately, at present) my only record as I haven't printed/scrapbooked or albumed photos since my film camera days. It is a place where I record the joys and beauties of every day in hopes that my children, as they grow, will too discover the true beauty of life in the little bits of living. I want them to know I was a joy seeker, a beauty finder~and I want them to be the same way.

Some of the most beautiful things in life that God has gifted us with is marriage and motherhood. Sadly, this is NOT beauty to todays' culture. They seek beauty elsewhere and despise what is truly good.

I have opened this blog up publicly, to shout from this dusty little corner of the web, that true beauty can be found anywhere-in any predicament-and the culture that we live in does not define it. Not for me. And I pray, not for my children. There is a younger culture out there who are being fed lies through every media venue available, and parents are beginning to buy into it too. What a shame it is that we Christians don't do more to speak up to the glory of God's way.


I do post photographs of love and marriage because this is one of the most beautiful gifts of my life. Feet entangled in a wedding ring quilt-topped bed may be inappropriate to some because of the "hint" of intimacy, but my intent is to convey, through my photographs the great, unabashed intimacy within MARRIAGE. That wedding-ring quilt WAS purposely used in the photograph.

A photograph of neck kisses from your husband may seem inappropriate to some in revealing too much, but the photograph to me represents the deep passion of two people who have saved themselves for one another---and how amazingly wonderful these moments can be. Intimacy within marriage is a beautiful, blessed thing and in my humble opinion, ought to be portrayed as such rather than letting the world maim the beauty of intimacy through trashy novellas and sitcoms. I heard once on television that it is unrealistic for men to remain pure for their spouses "these days" and unfair for women to expect that. I will gladly challenge that theory-that passion can still remain in a monogamous, God-ordained marriage, until my very last breath here on earth-and will do so with a clean and pure conscious. These are bits of the true beauty God has saved for some blessed few and it is about time people recognized them as such.


Naked babies are apparently taboo, as well, for Christians to portray in photographs. At a time when our culture screams that babies can be ripped to shreds or burned to death, or just avoided altogether by pills and surgeries, isn't NOW the time that we Christians start showing the world what it means to cherish these wee darlings? Is there anything so beautiful as the pearly soft skin of a newborn? The smell of a new baby? Are the teeny toes not a miraculous thing to tickle? The ecstasy of a little person, just pulled from within you, warming on your breast~ is this not the epitome of joy?


Motherhood is a most beautiful gift. It is only given to some. It is avoided by many. It is embraced by few. If I can portray just a small bit of this beauty in a way that I deem modest, than I will. For my children to see firsthand what I valued in life. For those who visit here to realize that there is something very beautiful and sacred in the things that the counter-culture loves to despise. And for myself~to draw me into thanksgiving to God. HE is the giver of all these moments of beauty.

I am five days away from a due date to deliver my fourth child~which in my mind really means ANY day (read: should have been YESTERDAY!) . I thought now an appropriate time to discuss these things openly here and to give ample forewarning about what is to come.

I do not, obviously, consider any of my photographs to be immodest. If I did, I would not publish them here--or even take them in the first place. My conscious is clear in regards to my photographs and my intent in sharing them publicly is to be a small voice in a much-too-loud counter-culture, proclaiming the beauty of God's way.

I respect and appreciate the ideals of my fellow believers and their own familial standards of modesty and decency. I also know that I may or may not share them. I value modesty and am teaching my children to value it as well, but may or may not agree with your particular standard. And that is okay. I truly believe that God has put us in different mindsets on this earth so that we might learn to love one another and commune with one another despite our differences. It can be a wonderful training in humility and long-suffering, patience and unconditional love.

All this to say: when Smooch *finally* arrives, there will be plenty of naked baby photographs. There will likely be photographs that portray the joys of motherhood, nursing, bathtimes, and baby parts that I deem to be modest. I would not post them if they weren't. If, for some reason, you consider them immodest or inappropriate I invite you to not offend yourself by coming here.

For as long as this blog is around, I will use my words and my photographs to convey the true beauty of a life lived with eyes open to God's glorious and abounding grace. Totally undeserved. Absolutely mesmorizing. And wonderfully appropriate.


A very FEW::

Intimate gifts of marriage, 8 blissful years this week~

#503 :: hands resting on your husbands silently rising and falling chest
#504 :: hearing your loves heartbeat, as you snuggle on the couch
#505 :: eye sparkles
#506 :: gentle teasing
#507 :: rough housing and laughing so hard you cry
#508 :: him "letting" you tackle him, and win
#509 :: neck kisses
#510 :: impromptu backrubs
#511 :: feet entangled
#512 :: a haven in strong arms
#513 :: a person to share your soul with
#514 :: a man who strokes your head when you are crying so hard it throbs
#515 :: sharing secret words, and not being laughed at
#516 :: being reunited
#517 :: soft lips
#518 :: vanilla perfume, sprayed on my pillow
#519 :: caresses
#520 :: triumphs shared, mourning made strong again

and beautiful bits of motherhood, 7 years ago next week it all began~

#521 :: baby breathes
#522 :: bums hiked up the air while sleeping
#523 :: needing a hug, and always being able to find one
#524 :: contagious laughter
#525 :: naked babies running around the house before bathtime
#526 :: the smell of Johnson and Johnsons on wispy hair
#527 :: fluffy down heads that turn into braids and ringlets in the humidity
#528 :: constant noise
#529 :: never being alone
#530 :: adoration in small eyes, staring back at you
#531 :: stretching yourself to be more Christ-like
#532 :: denying yourself, a most worthy pursuit
#533 :: absolute joy

#503 ~ #533 bits of my amazingly beautiful life. Thank you, Father.

Work While You Work...

Play while you play...
This is the way to be happy each day.

All that you do, Do with your might!
Things done by halves are NEVER done right!

A little ditty the childer memorized last school year that comes back to haunt me...often. :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday we played:








So yesterday I worked:

This weekend will hopefully be a little bit of both, and always done wholeheartedly.

For a~ BOY

I told you I had lots of *little* things done! Sorta wish I would have not been needing such instant gratification, so I could have spent some time on a coming home outfit. It is really hard not knowing if Smooch is girl or boy.

I still have 3 or 4 things I could have posted this week but I actually ran out of days! Probably a good thing as everyone is probably sick of my recent baby obsession. *I* am sick of my recent baby obsession! :-)

I love this little hat. I would like to make a khaki colored one with brown buttons at some point too. I think that would be super cute too. I used bright colors to coordinate with a bright colored sheet I could use as a backdrop.

Here is the free pattern, KUDOS to Ravelry. (PS. Do get yourself a free membership there if you do yarn crafts.) I opted to create my own band instead of following through with the flower. Next time I think I will make the band longer...maybe.

For A~ GIRL

Any girl will do.

I got all Anne Geddes-inspired and turned a simple white baby hat, THIS...

into a very fru-fru hydrangea bloom, THIS...

using just a bit of hotglue.

I can't tell if it will look darling or dorky on a baby, but I look forward to finding out.

I have this secret dream (don't laugh) of starting a labor and delivery/ newborn photography business, so I can rationalize making little things like this even if Smooch is a boy. I am VERY good at rationalizing, let me tell you.

My only regret is that I didn't first DYE the white fabric to be purple~a few white fabric specks still show through a bit.

Introducing

....our newest baby!

The childer named her Maggie but I prefer Magpie. We got her over the weekend from some friends and she is a little dear and has made herself perfectly at home.

She is already spoiled.


(And yes-I totally meant to torment you all with an INTRODUCING A NEW BABY post, while not actually introducing OUR new baby. I am cruel that way. hehehe)

For a~ BOY

Who wudda thunk~ two sweaters finished in the same week?! (Though they were started long before the weekend.)

This one is the same version as yesterdays (surprise, surprise) only decidedly more BOY.

(PS. Thanks for all the blocking information! Very good to know. I really appreciated it!)

Hope you all aren't getting tired of baby crafts yet. Still have quite a selection to share! (Just wait until tomorrow!)

Against the clock

What sort of crazy person goes out and buy 2 bushel of peaches two weeks before she is due with her fourth child?

One who belongs in some sort of institution, if you ask me.

That crazy woman was me-and those peaches were delivered on Sunday evening.

Firsts were $25.00 a bushel, seconds were $15.00 but there were no seconds left when I got there. Pretty hefty price considering what I paid last year. (And between you and me, I am not so very impressed with the "firsts" either. About 5-7 peaches were so moldy I had to feed them to the chickens~not even a BIT was salvageable. Many more were bruised. Not something I want to see in "firsts" or pay for with "firsts" pricing.) I want peach trees in the worst way.

Anyway~

Since those peaches arrived, I feel like I am racing against time here. So much that MUST be done before Smooch gets here, because who is going to want to take care of peaches one day postpartum? Ummmm...not I.

This is not to forget about the brimming bowlful of tomatoes just harvested, the half a dozen or so huge zucchini waiting to be shredded and frozen, and the basketful of cucumbers that were harvested at the very moment I *thought* I had (finally) finished up the pickling!


I am not complaining. Truly, I am not. Just wondering how I can get it all done in time without killing myself, is all. :-) BEFORE they go bad, and BEFORE Smooch arrives.

Yesterday I sorted all four half bushel boxes of peaches into "tragically bruised", "somewhat bruised", "perfectly ripened" and "still a wee bit hard".


The "still a wee bit hard" peaches were put carefully into the fridge (which required cleaning it out until it was half empty) awaiting when I could get to them. Thank you, peaches, for giving me an extra day or two!

The "tragically bruised" I immediately pulverized into Smoothie cubes (peach pulp frozen in ice cube trays). They will make delicious fresh fruit smoothies and ice cream when peaches aren't in season!

The "somewhat bruised" peaches I peeled and froze in slices, for use in pies, crumbles, and cakes this winter. Yum-o.

The "perfectly ripened" I began to can. By the time I couldn't take it anymore, I had canned 18 quarts. Then of course, there was the clean-up. I ate supper, exhausted, at 8:30pm!

That took care of about 1 bushel.

Still another bushel to take care of. Plans?

Not sure.

Use 'em fresh. Been eating 'em daily. MUST have a peach and blueberry crumble sometime. Tomorrow, we will have peaches and cream pancakes. Been loving Smoothies too.

Dehydrate some. (Peach oatmeal this winter anyone?)

and MAYBE more canning. Thinking about a few preserves, but maybe I'll just do more peaches in light syrup.

And another batch of Peach Honey is in order. Go here for instructions! The great thing about this is that you can freeze your peach skins until cool weather arrives (or a less hectic time in your life) and make it/can it THEN. It's good stuff.


A hint for canning peaches: All the books say they need to be canned for 15-20 minutes. I have it on good authority that the best way to can peaches so that the peaches are not MUSHY and gross is to bring the canner back to a rolling boil and set the timer for 6 minutes. Then, place the jars upside down on the counter until cooled. I tried it and they sealed perfectly and look lovely and intact...can't wait to try them!

For a...Smooch

I finished up the project I wrote about here.

I had intended this sweater to be for a boy, but hey, I might use it for a girl as well. Loved the teal color and, turns out to have a few very light purple hues~so it could work. How cute would a wee little lass be with a teal and brown polka dot bow in her hair to match?!?!


Went to buy some matching buttons for it (and about swallowed my tongue at the prices of buttons!) and then remembered about the button box recently acquired by Aunt Nancy. They aren't the most lovely buttons in the world, but I think they suit it just the same. And they were free.

Gotta remember that button bin in the future. (Don't think it will be too hard to remember now that I know the price of buttons!)


For all you knit/crocheters out there, I have a question: I have heard of something called "blocking". Is this important? Is the shaping permanent? How is it done? I did notice the brown lining looks slightly cockeyed and wondered if blocking would help? Just curious.

The First of the "Little Projects"

I promised a project a day this week if there is no baby and guess what? No baby!

This one is for a GIRL.

And if Smooch isn't a girl, well then, this is one of those "pack it away in hopes of a girl someday" projects....it is just too cute to part with.

It is a VINTAGE HANDKERCHIEF BONNET!!

Everyone who knows me knows I am a fan of blue and white.

I picked up this hanky AGES ago then thought it was too pretty to actually use. (Yes, we use cloth hankies here, though admittedly, they are mostly bandannas!)

Imagine, then, my joy and rapture upon stumbling upon this tutorial!

It was a super simple project, and very quick to stitch. But OH so LOVELY.

Now I wish I had a few more vintage hankies just lying about!