Ice Cream, Ice Cream--We all Scream for. . .

Oh wait--I can't have any!

After a few weeks of dealing with a very fussy and uncomfortable baby, we found out that baby Kate has a milk allergy.

Which means--no dairy products for the mama cow. No ice cream, butter, cheese, yoguart, milk, sour cream, cream cheese, and anything else that might taste good. (That might not sound too tough, but think of all the foods that have these ingredients: pizza, pasta with white sauce or cheese, muffins, cookies, a lot of breads, pancakes. . . just to name a few).

But within a few days of changing my diet, I noticed a more content and comfortable baby. So I guess my sacrifice is paying off. Although last weekend at a family party, passing up the homemade ice cream was REALLY TOUGH! Talk about will power. I guess, maybe this excess baby weight will fall off sooner than later. . .

My neighbor is an awesome photographer and took a few newborn pics of Kate. Click on the link to the right to view her first photo shoot. You'll need to enter our email address. (If you don't know it, mention it in a comment and I'll send it to you).

Pictures of Baby Kate

Snug as a bug in a rug.
The kids made these flowers and brought them to the hospital when Kate was born.

I thought this was sweet. Usually, John brings me flowers when a new baby comes, but this time he delivered them to his new daughter, Kate.

Just minutes after birth. She's already the apple of his eye.

A Few More Pics of Kate

This picture doesn't quite get the double chin, but it picks up her full upper lip and big cheeks.

These two girls are IN LOVE!!! I never have to worry about Kate not getting enough attention, and there's always someone to hold her when I'm busy doing other things.

Check out this hair! So far, she wins the record in the LeSueur family for the most locks.

Abby is a great helper with Kate. She's learned how to change diapers, wrap them up the right way, and burp her. And the nice thing is, she BEGS for it too--even the diaper part. Love it!

I think the hospital couches need to be a little bigger and longer. We're all kind of cramped. . . how are we going to all fit when #7 comes along? :) John's already dreaming. . .

She's Here!!!

Kathleen (a.k.a. "Baby Kate") joined our family this past week. The labor and delivery was longer than our average, but uneventful just the same. (Details upon request.)

7 lbs, 13 ounces and 20 inches long, she came with big cheeks (more like jowls), a perfectly shaped head, full lips, a full head of dark hair, and a sweet temperament. We're all in love with this new wonder. More pictures to follow.

Eight Days and Counting. . .

I saw my Doctor this morning and had an ultrasound done to measure the size of the baby. With Taylor at almost 6 lbs (at 34 weeks gestation), Mason close to 9 lbs., and Andersen almost 10 lbs a week early, my dr. thought it might be a good idea to take the baby a little early. But this one's a girl, and my girls have both been in the mid 7 lbs. range.

The ultrasound showed that with 2.5 weeks to go, this little girl was already measuring 8 lbs. and 3 ounces. Plenty big already! So my dr. scheduled me for an induction (been induced every time; this one will be no different) next Thursday morning.

I didn't want it on Wednesday because that's the last day of school for my kids, and he didn't want it on Friday or any time after that because he's the head cook at girls camp. Talk about convenience!

So unless something crazy happens before then, we'll celebrate a new birthday and add to our numbers on Thursday. We're all looking forward to it!

Spring Piano Recital

My three oldest children performed yesterday at their piano recital.

Taylor played "Canon in D" by Pachelbel. Mason played Strauss's "Also Sprach Zathustra", and Abigail played "Aire on the G String" by Bach. All versions were simplified, of course.

Their piano teacher sent all the students home with a CD of all the origional classics that were played in simplified form by the students. My kids have listened to that CD over and over since. I'm glad they enjoy classical music like I do.

It's been 12 Years

John and I celebrated our wedding anniversary this past week. Looking back, it was probably the least "celebrated" anniversary we've had yet, but still a great day in my eyes. He woke up before the birds, showered and got into a suit and tie, then took the young men and young women on a 3 hour trip to the Gila Valley Temple Open House and was gone most of the day.

I got up with him, packed him lunch, then whispered "happy anniversary". His response was, "Oh yea, it's today". Then he was gone.

With the house still quiet and kids still asleep, I climbed back into bed and the tears started falling. Not tears of frustration or sadness, but happy tears, tears of gratitude and complete peace. Gratitude for what a wonderful man he is and has always been to me, gratitude that he loves his family and he loves the Lord. And peace in the reality of our eternal relationship. Not just "till death do you part", but he's mine forever. And I know he shares the same feelings for me.

I couldn't be happier!

Upon his return that late afternoon, we celebrated our family's 12th birthday with a party. Our party started at the bowling alley with pizza for dinner. Then we returned to our house, sang "happy birthday to Us", and told each other why we loved our family. John and I expressed a few memories of our wedding day-the birth day of our family, and of the eternal significance of our relationship.

Then we opened presents. Can't celebrate a birthday without presents! Each of the kids opened up a bottle of snow cone syrup, then they all helped open a new snow cone machine. Perfect with the hot summer months upon us. Of course the kids were excited, and we had to try it out. Instead of cake and ice cream, we had snow cones for our birthday treat.

It made for a wonderful day. These past 12 years have brought lots of growth (almost 6 children), fun times, and of course challenges along the way. But I wouldn't trade them for the world!