It's been a little CRAZY around here these days. 
Since I'm a little busy with Luca, Kaiya has been entertaining herself during the days quite well. She's such a good little helper...so eager and happy to help me. 
Both Caedmon and Kaiya have been good helpers for that matter. They are still in the hovering phase...always right there looking over my shoulder and asking lots of questions. They run to Luca's bassinet to give her a pacifier if I need them to....sometimes when I don't want them to if I would rather have her settle herself from crying. I've listened to Kaiya sing so sweetly to her sister through the baby monitor trying to settle her from crying...it's just too sweet to make her stop. 
We've been busy with lots of visitors stopping by to meet Luca. Our church also brought meals for a couple weeks which was so so helpful.
Luca had her first Doctor appointment at two weeks. She was six pounds thirteen ounces and 19 1/2 inches already. I couldn't believe she had gained so much in spite of the vomiting which was good.
So proud and such a great "big"sister. She tells everyone we meet...even strangers...about her new baby sister. 
Caedmon loves his baby sister too. He talks to her constantly reminding her that he is her brother. He loves that he gets to sit next to Luca in the van and gives her the pacifier if she fusses.
He thought is was just hilarious that mommy actually let him hold Luca standing up. He was so giddy and couldn't stop laughing. Luca looks a bit concerned.
Finally feeling better again and so relieved to take care of my little sweetheart again.
My mother-in-law came a day and was SOOOOO very helpful...helping with ironing, cleaning and entertaining Kaiya. She also blessed us with a meal and a bushel of canned peaches. Thanks, Mom!
The other grandma makes frequent stops at our place to help out and hold Luca. She stopped in the same day. Kaiya was in heaven with two grandmas. 
Labor Day Weekend 2009
Cousins Shannon & Dryce
Since I'm a little busy with Luca, Kaiya has been entertaining herself during the days quite well. She's such a good little helper...so eager and happy to help me. Both Caedmon and Kaiya have been good helpers for that matter. They are still in the hovering phase...always right there looking over my shoulder and asking lots of questions. They run to Luca's bassinet to give her a pacifier if I need them to....sometimes when I don't want them to if I would rather have her settle herself from crying. I've listened to Kaiya sing so sweetly to her sister through the baby monitor trying to settle her from crying...it's just too sweet to make her stop. We've been busy with lots of visitors stopping by to meet Luca. Our church also brought meals for a couple weeks which was so so helpful.My friend Kristy and her daughter Madison
My friend Nicole 
During Luca's second week, three out of the five of us got a terrible virus. I was one of them. Not good timing at all. I had the worst sore throat I've ever had and a fever for two days. Caedmon missed a day of school and we all stayed home from church. 
So hard when all you want to do is take care of your baby and you can't. "God was my helper and strength" and He carried us through. Praise God, Kevin was one that didn't get it and he stepped in and took over with most of the feedings...especially at night so I could get some rest.
My friend Nicole During Luca's second week, three out of the five of us got a terrible virus. I was one of them. Not good timing at all. I had the worst sore throat I've ever had and a fever for two days. Caedmon missed a day of school and we all stayed home from church. So hard when all you want to do is take care of your baby and you can't. "God was my helper and strength" and He carried us through. Praise God, Kevin was one that didn't get it and he stepped in and took over with most of the feedings...especially at night so I could get some rest. Caedmon had his first soccer game that same weekend. I was sad I had to miss it, but excited when I heard he scored three goals even when he didn't feel the greatest.
Being sick certainly set me back as far as keeping up with things around the house including "Mount Laundry" staring at me on a daily basis. Luca's projectile vomiting has also continued on an almost daily basis. I know...this picture is gross, but I wanted to remember just how bad it was. It's hard to tell in the picture, but the liquid goes from the dishwasher all the way to the highchair. 
It's a bit a frightful thing when it happens...she's like a ticking time bomb. You never know when she'll fire. And when it does happen...(sometimes in the middle of the night when you can't see straight)...there is so much to clean up....her, me, the couch, the chair, the floor, her clothes, my clothes...exhausting...hard to believe that such a little thing can do so much damage. ;)
Being sick certainly set me back as far as keeping up with things around the house including "Mount Laundry" staring at me on a daily basis. Luca's projectile vomiting has also continued on an almost daily basis. I know...this picture is gross, but I wanted to remember just how bad it was. It's hard to tell in the picture, but the liquid goes from the dishwasher all the way to the highchair. It's a bit a frightful thing when it happens...she's like a ticking time bomb. You never know when she'll fire. And when it does happen...(sometimes in the middle of the night when you can't see straight)...there is so much to clean up....her, me, the couch, the chair, the floor, her clothes, my clothes...exhausting...hard to believe that such a little thing can do so much damage. ;) Her doctor subscribed a medication which helped it go from every day to every other day. Then when she came down with what seemed like a cold (congestion, unable to breath and sleep very well at night), he suspected that she was having an allergic reaction to the milk. We've switched her to soy formula and have noticed a big change.
Did God allow me to wait so long for her to help me get through these first few weeks? I believe it could be true...while going through the sicknesses, lack of sleep, housework stacking up, vomit cleaning, giving up "me" time and just trying to make it through another day...I think God, knowing my personality and what I can handle, prepared me a bit for this time. 
Feeling discouraged at times I didn't despair because of the reminder of the precious gift he has placed in my arms and the process it took to get to this point. This too shall pass..these days are priceless...not perfect, but priceless. I don't want to forget a single moment. 
How can you resist those cheeks!!
Feeling discouraged at times I didn't despair because of the reminder of the precious gift he has placed in my arms and the process it took to get to this point. This too shall pass..these days are priceless...not perfect, but priceless. I don't want to forget a single moment. How can you resist those cheeks!!Luca had her first Doctor appointment at two weeks. She was six pounds thirteen ounces and 19 1/2 inches already. I couldn't believe she had gained so much in spite of the vomiting which was good.So proud and such a great "big"sister. She tells everyone we meet...even strangers...about her new baby sister. Caedmon loves his baby sister too. He talks to her constantly reminding her that he is her brother. He loves that he gets to sit next to Luca in the van and gives her the pacifier if she fusses.He thought is was just hilarious that mommy actually let him hold Luca standing up. He was so giddy and couldn't stop laughing. Luca looks a bit concerned.Finally feeling better again and so relieved to take care of my little sweetheart again.My mother-in-law came a day and was SOOOOO very helpful...helping with ironing, cleaning and entertaining Kaiya. She also blessed us with a meal and a bushel of canned peaches. Thanks, Mom!The other grandma makes frequent stops at our place to help out and hold Luca. She stopped in the same day. Kaiya was in heaven with two grandmas. Labor Day Weekend 2009Cousins Shannon & DryceWe had more visitors come Labor Day weekend. I had relatives stop by that were in town from southern Indiana.
aunt Jean
aunt Sue
My cousin Trina and her twins from Kansas were in town...so good to see her!
On Labor Day, we went to Kevin's parents house for the afternoon. It was Luca's first time at Grandma & Grandpa B's house.
aunt SueMy cousin Trina and her twins from Kansas were in town...so good to see her!On Labor Day, we went to Kevin's parents house for the afternoon. It was Luca's first time at Grandma & Grandpa B's house.kisses from Aunt Sarah
relaxing with Grandpa B.
Playing baseball with Easton
Lincoln was so proud of this snake he found and wanted to show it off to everyone.
Grandma time
relaxing with Grandpa B.Playing baseball with EastonLincoln was so proud of this snake he found and wanted to show it off to everyone.Grandma time Cousin Easton and Luca
Two weeks ago, Kevin woke up around 4am because he heard a rattling noise. He investigated the hall and came back to bed. At 5am the dog started barking which isn't uncommon if he sees an animal...we didn't think much about it. About an hour later we were all up...a little sleepy...and getting ready for school and work. Twenty minutes before it was time for us to leave for school, Kaiya asked if she could feed the cats in the garage. I said "sure"...having no idea what the next twenty minutes would entail.
She was back in shortly stating that there was a "rat" in the garage. I said "no sweetie, it's probably just a dead mouse." The cats will occasionally leave them around for us to dispose of. I asked Kevin if he would get rid of the "mouse" before he left for work. 
As you have probably guessed by now, it was not a rat or a mouse...it was a baby kitten lying cold and stiff on the cold garage floor. Abby (the mama cat...well, kitten) had three kittens tucked inside a small little shoe cubby and there wasn't any room for this one I guess. Kevin told me to take it inside and warm it up. I freaked out a little "you want me to do what?" "how?" So I took the cold kitty inside, put it on a heating pad and dried it off until it started to move and cry a little.
Meanwhile, while investigating the birthing scene outside, Kevin found two more stiff cold kittens on the driveway. In the house they came. By this time I was feeling a bit more confident and was in rescue mode doing all I could to help the poor little helpless things.
All six survived and are doing well. It has been fun watching the kids experience the whole thing, and for that reason alone I have to say it has been worth having them. Despite her age, Abby has been taking exceptional care of her babies. Caedmon commented "She's the bestest good mom just like you, mom!"
She's always concerned about Abby being with her kittys 24/7. If Abby goes outside, she carries her back in the garage. I've explained to her that she needs a break sometimes and it's ok if she's outside...but, I'll still catch her carrying her back into the garage...sometimes even through the house. 
Oh dear. I'm not an "animals in the house" kind of person...although my mom will tell you I was the same when I was that age...sneaking a whole liter of kittys into the house while she was at work many times. 
Sister-in-law, Sarah was there with her boys. My cousins Jenny and Rachel came with their children and Aunt Dot joined us as well. So fun to catch up with them...thanks for having us mom!
On the way home, the kids and I made a couple stops. I like to stop by the Fork's store in Middlebury for popcorn and odd items I don't ever see in Ft. Wayne. We also stopped by the cheese factory which was PACKED. 
The tour bus in the parking lot should have been a clue to me. We shoved our way in, sampled a few cubes of cheese and grabbed a bag of assorted cubes to purchase on our way out. Unfortunately they were not making any cheese while we were there either, but it was fun to stop by anyway. 