Heritage of Grace: November 2011

It is beautiful here in the East in the Fall. I have been enjoying the changing colors over the last month and the cooler weather. The fall has been good, very busy, and challenging for me. I am sorry I have been absent here but shortly I am sure you will see why.

This is from my kitchen window one morning when I was up early with Eleanor.

Though my current study on spiritual disciplines, and motherhood I am being constantly reminded of my shortcoming and my capacity to do nothing in my own strength. The study has been great don't get me wrong, but a complete failure in my goals for myself in regards to spiritual disciplines. But its a good lesson and I won't give up, I need to discover how to fit these things into my new normal.

Speaking of normal, most days I have another baby here just Eleanor's age, so its a very full day even if we do "nothing". I say in quotes because doing nothing involves, 6 feeds, at least 8 diapers, much bouncing, crying, fussing and constant movement to keep everyone happy, and don't forget picking up pacifiers at least 50 times, I am sure more. Many days they do both nap and I can run a load of dishes or feed myself if I am lucky.

The best news in the last month is Eleanor is now breastfeeding! I can't say how thrilled I am, even more than I thought I would be. We were making it work before, but its so wonderful to leave the house without having to take the pump along like a third child! I was told if I wanted it to work I would have to bite the bullet and just do it non stop for a week and after much screaming an latching for all of 30 seconds the first few days, magically she would nurse for a few minuets longer each day. Its still day by day, and most days she takes one bottle of formula to supplement but its a huge step forward and I can't be more happy.

Parents take ages to pack!

One thing you can not do with a pump along is backpack! So it was first on my list before it got much colder, and so Baby's first backpacking trip was last weekend. We went to a wonderful spot called St Mary's wilderness, We will go back when we can swim, we camped right on a river, where we could here the water all night! It was wonderful and renewed my soul, as backpacking always does, particularly when I can hike in and just sit for a day before hiking out whitch I did this time. To make it better we went with a couple from church so we had sweet fellowship also, and more baby holding arms! It was a great success and I do hope we can go again.

Can you spot the baby napping?

And now the Holidays are around the corner and I just booked my flight home, so I can tell you I will be in Seattle area South (Gig Harbor) Dec 17-24 and Seattle North (Lake Stevens) Dec 24-Jan 4. So let me know if you want to make a date with us while we are around. I do hope to see as many of you as I can!

Lots and Lots of other things happened this month! Here is the rest in a snapshot!