Pictures from our week!

Here are some pictures from our week.


This picture is actually from a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't have a picture of Cati from this week.




Matteo, who is still working hard on dressing himself correctly, was concerned that Elena's diaper was on backwards because the tag is in the front :)


Chiara doesn't understand why Elena likes to fall over whever she holds her :)



So cute!



Elena's 1st math lesson!

Maria loves being the 2nd mommy! And, I love the extra pair of helping hands!!

One-month check-up

Elena had her 1-month check-up this afternoon. She's doing very well!

Birth weigh (4/24): 6 lbs. 6oz.

Discharge weight (4/27): 5lbs. 15oz.

1-month check-up (5/27): 9lbs. 9oz.
You can see that she's a good eater!!



Here's a picture from a couple of weeks ago, since I know that any blogpost without pictures is disappointing. Check out those cute socks! A gift from her godmother, in assorted colors to match any outfit - except for this onesie, appearantly :)

1-month-old

Elena is 1-month-old today, so that means it's time to look back at ALL the kids at this age :)

Maria...

Cati...

Matteo...

Chiara...

Elena... (she definitely wins the award for biggest eyes :) :)

Product Review: Bible Story Coloring Book

My first product to review as an official Catholic Company reviewer is the Great Adventure Kids Bible Story Coloring Book. This coloring book is part of the Great Adventures Kids program for teaching children the Bible chronologically. The program also includes card games, a timeline chart, a timeline bookmark, and a prayer bracelet.

I am very impressed with this coloring book. The pictures are large (10" x 13") and detailed, but not so much so that they are overwhelming for young children. The pictures are in chronological order, of course, and labeled with their historical period, which corresponds to the program's timeline and other materials. Each picture has a 2-4 sentence description, a Biblical quote, and a Biblical reference that you could look up in your family Bible and read to your children. My oldest daughter enjoyed just reading through the coloring book!

I think this coloring book is a wonderful resource for giving you and your children a better understanding of the chronological story of Salvation in the Bible. As a homeschooler, it will be a very valuable resource for incorporating Bible history in our ancient history studies.

3-weeks-old

Elena is 3-weeks-old today, so I thought I should post some pictures from this week.

We survived our 1st week without helpers :) Dany had lots of opportunities to work on his cooking skills!

We eased into our summer school routine. We continue the three R's through the summer. The kids read and worked on math, but we didn't get to any writing. The girls have several pen pal letters to catch up on, but we'll get to it eventually!

Elena's been doing her usual newborn things, of course. She's still such an easy baby - no signs of colic, food allergies, or reflux, which are pretty common for our babies. She only fusses when she wants to eat, be held, or have her diaper changed. It's amazing! We're sure she's our baby, though, because all of the pediatricians who have checked her since birth suspect she has hip dysplasia. We will bring her to Chiara's 6-month orthopedic check-up next Tuesday and see what his plan is for Elena :)

I'm feeling pretty well, so I was up and around a lot more this week. I still get pretty tired in the afternoons, though. I had my 2-week post-op check-up, and the doctor was pleased with how I'm healing. I got my driving privileges back, but I still can't pick up anything heavier than Elena until 6-weeks.

Here are the pictures!

This was from last Sunday. The weather here has still been too cool most days for Elena to wear cute summer dresses, so I couldn't miss this rare opportunity! Look! She still has her legs crossed like she did in utero :)






Today it was warm and sunny! It doesn't happen too frequently around here, so it's worth reporting. The 3 older kids convinced Papa to let them play in the sprinkler.

Chiara wasn't interested in this. She was happy watching and playing hoola-hoops.
On a side note - Chiara started calling Elena by her name this week, instead of "The Baby" :)

For Dany, a rare dry, sunny day means yard work! Time to attempt mowing the damp, jungle of grass out there!

Here's a video of Elena from earlier this week!

I Baptize you, Elena Lucia...

Today, Elena received the Sacrament of Baptism!

Here she is in her Baptismal gown, which all the kids have worn for their Baptisms.



Here's the whole family!


Here are Elena's wonderful Godparents, Jessica and Michael! (And, her "Godsister" Margaret)

Here we are with Fr. Tom.

Here are all of our kids!

Here is Elena with a couple of her "Godbrothers," James and Isaac. We didn't get a picture of her with Henry. (Maria coined the terms "Godbrothers" and "Godsisters" years ago in reference to her own "Godsister" Emma.)

A BIG Thank You!!

We want to say a BIG thank you to Grandma and Pipa for the millions of meals cooked, dishes washed, clothes washed, errands run, floors swept, and games played with the kiddos over the past 2 weeks! You certainly made life easier around here!!

Way to Grow, Elena!!

Elena had to go to the doctor for a weight check this morning since she had not quite reached her birth weight last week.

Here are the stats:

Birth weight (4/24): 6 lbs 6 oz

Discharge weight (4/27): 5 lbs 15 oz

One-week weight (5/1): 6 lbs 4 oz

Two-week weight (5/8): 7 lbs 2 oz!!

The new Big Sister and The Baby

Everyone always wants to know how the former baby of the family is dealing with the new baby.

Chiara loves "The Baby," as she calls her :) She's very good about helping me with diaper changes! She helps gather all the supplies. She has attempted to share her pacifier several times :)

She's definitely had her toddler moments. The 1st week after Elena was born, Chiara had a cold that developed into an ear infection. She's been feeling better this week, though. She's loved having Dany home more than usual. She's very attached to her Papa! I think the hardest thing for her has been my lifting restrictions from the C-Section. I'm not allowed to carry anything heavier than Elena for a while, which is hard for a 2-year-old to understand.

Here are some pictures of the new big sister with The Baby!!

One-week old

Elena is already one-week old! She had her 1st check-up with her pediatrician this morning. She weighed 6 lbs. 4 oz.. She weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. at birth and 5 lbs. 15 oz. at discharge on Monday, so she's doing very well!

Here are some pictures from her one-week birthday!

Thank you, Aunt Kelly, for the new clothes! They are the only ones I have that fit! :) But, at the rate Elena's growing, I know she'll be filling out her 0-3M clothes soon :)