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Making it

All kids are FINALLY on the mend, along with myself. For those of you who don't know, the last week or so was a little crazy. I ended up with mastitis of the breast and cellulitis of the pelvis. I was taken to the ER with a fever hovering around 106. Yes, I said 106. I was in and out of consciousness and have never experienced chills quite like it. I was prescribed pain medicine for the shooting needles sensation coming from my boobs and the feeling of elephants trampling on my abdomen, along with antibiotics to cure the infection. Almost as quickly as the infection set in, it went away...thank God. I can't believe I survived and am still nursing. It makes me even more annoyed at the "but my nipples were sore" or "I didn't produce enough milk" women who want to make an excuse for not nursing. I have NEVER felt pain like I felt with the mastitis. Had heard the term before, but never knew what it meant. So, if you know anyone who had it and nursed through it, "way to go" is all I have to say. All the kids (with the exception of Aspen) got sick. Trevor had the whole asthma, bronchitis, wheezy stuff along with Caleb. McKenna ended up forming a rash from head to foot. Between me being ill and Trevor being on steroids, it was quite the week. Fortunately, we are all better and ready to take on this week.

I am so excited that I am finding myself becoming more "normal." I am finding it extremely difficult to get out of the house. But, I will get there. It is just hard to pump, nurse, diaper, dress, feed other kids, wipe butts, get dressed, clean up, pump, nurse, diaper again, get snack...you get the picture. It is not anything special. Plenty of moms do it, I am just struggling getting up and out. But, I am also enjoying these early days at home. We will see what the next few weeks brings. I am sure I might be itching to get out. However, not itching to load and unload all the kids in the cold weather. It might be a long fall and winter in the house. The prospect of packing diaper bags again, pumping in the car again, loading and unloading cranky kids is enough to make me want to hibernate.

Baby Aspen is here

OK.  Sorry for the delay in posting.  I have been a little busy changing diapers, nursing, holding a crying baby, nursing, burping, pumping, changing, bathing, nursing, burping...you get the picture.  This doesn't include all the daily tasks of dealing with 3 other kids as well.  Aspen Kennedy DeLisle was born on October 18th.  She was 3 1/2 weeks early due to the hernias in my pelvis and the very large varicose veins that were under extreme pressure as the pregnancy progressed.  She was a tiny 6 pounds 11 ounces and was 20 inches long.  So funny because Trevor was the same length, but weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds 9 ounces.  He was a little bowling ball.  If she would have been term, she would have been close to Trevor's size.  At two weeks old, she is starting to pork up quite a bit, so I am assuming she will be giving Trevor a run for his money when it comes to weight, height and head percentiles on the baby measuring charts.  All that mommy milk does a baby good.  I have to say, Aspen is a great baby.  She has become a little spoiled in that she wants to be held and will not sleep in her crib.  But, it is so much easier to leave a boob out for her to feed through the middle of the night.  There have been a few nights where she was not easily consolable.  For the most part, though, she just eats through the night and the only time I have to really get up and deal with her is to burp her or change a diaper. 
    Aaron went back to work today as well.  I was so sad to see him go.  He has been a HUGE help to me.  I never imagined having so much help with the baby, the house and dealing with the kids.  I did not have to worrying about anything.  I cannot count the number of times I was told to go upstairs and rest.  It is going to be a real bummer when I am feeling better and the princess treatment comes to a screeching halt.  I could really get used to the help.  Yes...that is a hint, Aaron...lol

We are adjusting well.  It is loud and crazy most days.  And, it seems as though every time I do get a chance to sit down and nurse (as opposed to the usual standing and picking up, packing lunches, wiping the counters or sweeping while nursing), inevitably the phone will ring, a child will get hurt and need a band aid, the dog will need let out, etc. I will not lie, it is chaos at times, but a good chaos.  I would not change it for the world.  I have the greatest support in my wonderful husband, I have the greatest kids in the world, I have an amazing mother, and awesome in-laws.  I could not be happier and more in love with life. 

  You will have to excuse the lack of editing on my part.  It will probably be a while before you see pictures that are decent as I have NO time to myself to edit pictures, scrapbook, etc.  I would not change it for the world, though...