this is really nice

Check out this post on my dear friend Shannon's blog. And Merry Christmas (we still have 6 days left!)!!

New Toys

I was feeling a little sorry for Lucy when I realized Victor had commandeered her new soccer ball and was using it as a steering wheel...

But, the next thing I knew, all Victor's new matchbox cars were lined up two by two processing into his new parking garage toy for a 'car wedding.'

I guess all's fair in love and new Christmas toys...

I did it!

I am very proud of myself this afternoon. I picked up the doggie from the kennel this morning with all 3 kids in tow. And, I forgot to take the leash along. God was merciful to us, though, as we were the only people in the office. And, Pixie loves car rides, so there was no way she would run off when presented the option of an open van door... To reward ourselves, we went to the car wash. Aaah, life is good.

What are the chances...

...I can talk my husband into seeing this? Looks fascinating. I'm definitely a homebirth wannabe. I'm blessed to have an NFP-only physician, though.

Merry Christmas!

Noel

Lucy and I were singing Christmas carols this evening. After a rousing rendition of the First Noel, Victor said, "Do we need a new well?"

My view of...

...La Leche League. Every once in a while, I hear the stereotypical comment about moms involved with La Leche League (LLL). That is, "they are crazy (or fanatical, weird, hippies, etc.)" Sigh. Well, usually, the comment is out of the speaker's mouth before he or she realizes I am a La Leche League Leader. I don't really know whether my involvement is confirmation or contradiction of the stated opinion. However, I don't usually get a chance to give my own feelings about the organization, so I'm taking the opportunity now. Aah, the beauty of having one's own blog...

Anyway, there are definitely folks in the group who are out of the mainstream on a variety of levels. There are homeschoolers, vegans, and cloth-diaperers. There are liberals, conservatives, devoutly religious, atheists. Some are brand new to parenthood and others are mothers of 7 plus children. The string that ties the group together is breastfeeding. The reason the organization has been so successful in promoting this womanly art is that they stick to the topic. Anyone is welcome. Even though the founders were Catholics who met at a church picnic, mothers of all backgrounds have always been invited. Leaders are trained to steer discussion away from outside topics at meetings, so people with all kinds of beliefs can attend and feel comfortable.

And, hand in hand with breastfeeding, is the promotion of full-time motherhood. I know of very few other places a mother can go where she will have her position as the full-time caretaker of her children applauded. Working mothers are also welcome, and many groups offer evening meetings to accomodate those who are unavailable during the day. It's possible to work and breastfeed, it's just a lot harder. I know some moms really do have to work. And more power to those who are determined to work and breastfeed. However, leaders must be committed to staying home with their children.

American culture isn't really breastfeeding-friendly. Sure, there are plenty of advertisements (including formula ads) that give lip service to the importance of breastfeeding (I love the Enfamil bags passed out in hospitals with tags that read, "breastfeeding support kit"). But mother-baby togetherness is frowned upon. Let's be honest. Moms get pressure to leave their babies for work, for a night out, or even a vacation away from the child. When Lucy was 4 months old we were house-hunting in Pittsburgh. We were with a realtor and had to stop periodically so I could nurse the baby. I got the oh-so-helpful suggestion that I should leave the baby in the hotel with Grandma the next day. I explained that she was breastfed (I'm not sure why she hadn't figured that out by that point) and got the "can't you just give her a bottle? don't you know that formula is just as good these days" response.

So, moms try to nurse around these obstacles. They try to nurse in patterns based on formula feeding (you know, the 15 minutes per side, every 2-3 hours appproach). Then they wonder why they have supply issues and fussy babies. Moms are meant to get to know their children so they can feed them when they're hungry, not according to a pre-determined schedule.

In LLL, a mom can learn to trust her instincts, appreciate her body, and appreciate motherhood as a valuable position in its own right. There's nothing else quite like it.

I have really valued my participation in this beautiful organization. But, today I was disappointed. I got my new edition of New Beginnings Magazine, which is published by LLL. As I mentioned, the group is all-inclusive and focused on a single mission which is promoting breastfeeding around the world. The magazine is full of letters from mothers sharing their experiences and giving their support to other moms. This month included a 2-mom family. And a picture of the 2-mom family. I am not suggesting that a mother in an alternative relationship should be excluded from the support of the group if she should choose to breastfeed. I'm just disappointed because I always leave these magazines lying around the house, and my children can look at them if they so choose. I'm annoyed because now I have to either explain the situation to my 6-year-old or hide the magazine. I don't think she should be forced to learn about these things right now.

If LLL is really all-inclusive, shouldn't they consider those of us who are trying to teach our children that God intended families to begin with a mom and a dad?

Yes, all mothers are welcome. And, all mothers are welcome to contribute to the magazine. But, did the publishers really need to include the family picture? Are we really single-minded, or is there another agenda here? I don't know. But the publishers could have waived the PC-inclination for the benefit of those who might find it unacceptable for family consumption. And they didn't. I'm disappointed. And I don't know if I can continue to associate myself with a league that is so careless. Or careful. Am I making too much of this?

Chocolate for Breakfast

When Eustace works evenings and nights, we like to have a nicer meal together
during the day. Today's menu: chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast (one
of our favorites). It's nice to have this kind of flexibility in our daily
schedule. Reason number 5136 why I love homeschooling.

To Victor's Godparents: We got your super-fun gift in the mail yesterday!
We just wanted you to know that the kids loved EVERY part of the package.

Just Married!

My new sister-in-law with Lucy her flower girl at the rehearsal.

Just married! The happy couple with both sides of the family.
I have never seen my brother so happy.

Lucy and her cousin James had serious fun on the dance floor.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.

May God richly bless their marriage!

wedding bells

We're off tomorrow morning for my brother's wedding! Please pray for Phil and Sara as they begin their married life. Please also pray for safe travel for everyone heading to and from Bloomington.

Happy Birthday this weekend to our Godson Jayan, to my husband Eustace, and to my dear Father-in-law Sydney Fernandes. It is a big birthday weekend in our family!!

Oh yes, and today is Lucy's Feast Day!! We celebrated with a call from Uncle Earl in Rome this morning, a special mass with Father Nathan this afternoon, and Indian carry-out for dinner. We didn't get our traditional "Lucy Cats" made this year... Maybe we'll do it belatedly next week.

God bless!

-Anne

Enough Said

Eustace: Victor, why don't you eat some dinner?

Victor: No. I don't like eating dinner. I like running around in circles. I like
riding in cars. I like setting up Christmas trees. Now, stop asking
me questions.

Advent Activities

Here's the gingerbread train
we constructed on Saturday. It's still standing, miraculously!

Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus.

OK, so I'm sure Eustace will have a
heart attack when he finds out I posted this, but I could not resist!! This is Victor
"nursing" one of Lucy's dolls!!!

Ice Storm

We're stuck inside this morning due to a nasty ice storm currently in progress... We'll try to venture out for mass later when Eustace is done working.

Our weekend update:

Eustace took Lucy to the Nutcracker Friday night. What a good daddy! It's funny how his willingness to participate in something 'girly' for the sake of his daughter makes him all the more manly in my eyes. They got dressed up, went out for an Italian dinner, saw the ballet, and had a great time.

We built a gingerbread train yesterday - I'll post a picture later. Thank Goodness for pre-made gingerbread kits!!

Got a little Christmas shopping done with my Mom while my Dad (bless his heart) was babysitting! Picked up finishing touches for our wedding attire... Only one week until my brother's wedding!!!

This morning, I'm just listening to the kids' conversation. Victor desperately wants to play with Lucy, but she has ner nose in a book. A few snippets:
V: (driving his toy across Lucy's book)
L: Victor, trucks are not allowed in the library.
V: I'm not a truck, I'm a car!

(Victor spends a few minutes humming a song to himself and driving his cars)

V: Lucy, I'm nice, you like me. I'm a nice boy.
L: (no response)

(a few more minutes of humming)

V: Luce, where are you from?
L: ...sigh... I'm from Ohio.

Chronicles of a snowy wednesday

Lucy's first words upon hearing that schools were cancelled: "can we have a day off, too?!" Sure, why not.

Everybody got bundled up right after breakfast to head outdoors - and they actually lasted a solid 30 minutes!
The aftermath:

Then back indoors for hot chocolate, snuggling on the couch and a little movie-watching (the film du jour:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) while I nurse Felicity and do a little blogging. :) Victor's quote of the
day: "You're my favorite teacher, Luce!" Apparently he thinks Lucy is in charge of this delightful day!

I do my fair share of complaining about Pixie's ill-behavior, but how many dogs are sweet enough to
allow this? I think she's either a fire truck or a horse as pictured above.

My Favorite Outing

On Monday, our 4H group made our annual trip to the nursing home to sing Christmas and Advent
carols and visit with the residents. Lucy and I love this outing - the older adults are so happy to
see the kids, and the kids enjoy being fussed over by them. I'm always surprised at how well the
kids do, even with the residents who aren't terribly responsive. Victor was a little shy and spent
most of his time hiding under the Christmas tree. He did, however, muster the courage to say
"Merry Christmas" to a few folks and hand-deliver a couple pictures he had made.

These ladies literally snatched Felicity right out of my arms. Too sweet!!

good news

My friend Emily posted this on her blog. Good news for sleep-deprived families during cold and flu season... I can't wait to hear what all the MD's in my family have to say about this. I, for one, am going to try it!

Many thanks to...

...Felicity's Godparents for making the trip to our house this weekend with their 3 boys!

...the cashier at Walgreen's for reminding me to smile. When I joked that I was worn out from
dealing with 3 little children, he replied, "yeah, but you wouldn't trade them for the world!"
thanks for the encouragement!

...the employees at Fresh Market who did not bat an eye, who were friendly and courteous, when I marched in for
shopping at 2 minutes to closing time. Oops.