Baby Cinco

These past two theater camps weeks have been rife with outings because we're already in the car dropping Ada off, so we just keep on keepin' on with errands. Covid-wise, I'm looking forward to the final performance this weekend, almost even holding my breath a little that Ada stays healthy throughout, because we'll probably go back to a lesser-extent lockdown until the birth. But until then, we got her surgical masks to wear while there instead of just her cloth ones, and the rest of us are taking advantage of mall trips and treat lunches, grocery shopping and playgrounds. Oh, and another checkup with yet another (final) ultrasound was scheduled for Friday the 30th; this one because I'm of "advanced maternal age" this go-around. (That's a lingo improvement upon "geriatric pregnancy" for every pregnancy when a woman is 35yrs+.) But neither the scan nor the appointment took place because I had 3 minor children with me; I'm only allowed an ...

Barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen with coconut-sized Cinco and a Pip who cooks and cleans     New neighborhood taco plaaaaace!   Ada started a local kids theater camp where they spend all day for 2 weeks working on a play and then perform after the two weeks. She's been so excited - we've been so excited for her bc we've thought this a great outlet for her - and she got 2 roles in a cute version of Cinderella. Then a camper tested positive for Covid, and they had to go virtual for a few days. Since this was brand-new territory for homeschooled Ada, she actually really loved the computer time, ha, which is a relief. And she was so very tired after the days she did have camp that a couple of days "off" weren't the worst thing for her.   We've also been working on Little Flowers together and took a field trip to St. Katherine Drexel's Xavier University as well as a sno-ball run because Mama wanted one ;)

How. Hoooow is this bébé already 30 weeks along?! We say there are 10 weeks to go, but, honestly, only Paul made it that far. Ada and Jack arrived at 38+4 and 38+3, respectively, and Pip arrived at 39wks. We shall see! Here's another ultrasound from my checkup on Monday the 12th because the fetal heartrate wasn't as quick as expected, so they wanted to check the amniotic fluid. All's well! And we got another picture, goodness. Dr. Baur's asked to keep an eye on movements - goal is 10 bumps in 2 hours - but I can't keep up! Growth, size, and kicks all seem healthy, so thumbs up, #5. But first, we went to the beach over the weekend! We spent a few nights in Biloxi with great friends whose children are also great friends to our children, and it was good. It wasn't terribly relaxing, squeezing large families into hotel rooms without the amenities we're used to in order to cater to everyone, and the weather was giving us a run for our money, but even so, it was...

By the time Sunday, July 4th rolled around, everyone was feeling better unless actively coughing, and with the negative covid test / RSV assumption, we went about our business but wearing masks and not getting too close. We enjoyed Will Smith's saving of the Independence Day fireworks in the evening and then a whole 'nother day off for Dylan on Monday!  We hosted dear Baylor friends for a dinner and ice cream out, and it was so lovely reconnecting. It's also wonderful watching my children click with my own friends! Ada ended up feeling like old friends with Miss Amy. Then cousin/Fr. Scott came over to New Orleans for a visit and organized a beautiful lunch at the Palace Café with us, my parents, and Mom's sister, Aunt Mollie. (See, with all these things organized, can you wonder at my worry about the sick thing from the previous week; sheesh!) Also lovely to reconnect with family, too <3 When it's all written down one after the other like this, it all seems like ...

After getting back together as a family, I had another ultrasound to pick up the things they couldn't get from the 20wk ultrasound because the baby was moving around so much. This time, we got to see the "kissy face" shot, which is pretty sweet, really. Later in the week, we also had Jack's 5yo check-up - all's well! - and I had my glucose screening for gestational diabetes. Since drinking that awful dyed drink with as much sugar as 3 cokes in only about 8oz while pregnant with Paul, I've opted out of it. I do still do the screening, of course, but with Ada I drank a certain amount of grape juice, and with Jack, Pip, and now Cinco, I've had a certain amount of pancakes (with the syrup, they remind me) at a certain time before getting the blood drawn. It was delicious ... and then pretty simple and smooth with all 4 kids to the labs at the hospital. They love coming, ha! We also had City Park's "Friends Fest" mid-week where we* get to go on t...

The week leading up to Jack's 5th, Dylan had a trial for which he had to stay in Baton Rouge! We survived! With a little help from my parents, of course, in the way of meals and baseball logistics. We made some Papa crafts for a welcome home as well as upcoming Father's Day and birthday celebrations, taking full advantage of his being away to keep things a surprise. Then we celebrated a certain happy-go-lucky fella's 5th birthday in MS, and it was very fun and very sporty. He requested a Tball birthday cake, and his aunts and uncles and grandparents worked hard to pull off a super baseball + backyard swim + piñata + new bike + soccer ball birthday event the likes of which he won't even remember not inviting friends to. I kinda love the family birthday thing <3.      THEN Dylan, Pippa, and I came back home ... but left Paul, Ada, and Jack at my parents'! Paul and Ada participated in the Infinity Science Center's Space Camp week at NASA's Stennis center abo...