Appeasing the Masses

The masses have been clamoring for more pictures of The Raisin, and I finally find myself with some time to appease said masses. Please keep in mind that there is not a lot of free time around here for taking lots of pictures, so they're a little scarce; please also keep in mind that he spends most of his time sleeping, and there are only so many photos of a snoozing, swaddled lump of baby that we want on hand. We're nothing if not practical after four kids.

We'll start with some shots from his first few moments here on Earth. (Forgive me if you've already seen these on Facebook.)

My dad, the proud Pa of six grandchildren, including one very grumpy one.

The Raisin tends to hang out a lot on the couch nestled in his Boppy, and, as evidenced by the photo on the left, his big brothers and sister tend to bring him lots of stuffed animals and other presents. I'm including the picture on the right because a) of course Harry Potter is hanging around; and b) my dear friend Katie knit that darling green sleep sack. We call it his sleeping bag, and the cable pattern ringing the top is--get this--a repeating owl. So cute.



We like him. We want to keep him, and we dress him up every day with much care and attention, like he is a tiny, red-headed, poop-producing little wriggly doll.

 

I hope that sates your ravenous appetites, you masses!

Welcome, Nephew!

I have exciting news..

This past Tuesday, almost exactly 6 days after Mr. Raisin made his entrance, My Sister the Goddess had her son.

He was a hoss.

.
A cranky hoss.

My sister was a hoss, too, eschewing any form of pain management as she pushed out a 9 pound, 1 ounce baby boy. She is my hero.

I'll call him The Godling, as his mother is The Goddess, his sister is The Baby Goddess, and his daddy is Mr. Stinky Fartknocker. It all works together.

Baby Goddess likes him, but she's too young to always be the most gentle. Poke.

 

My mother, who gained two new grandchildren in less than a week, thus bringing her total up to 6, is pretty happy.

And so is my sister, who is very glad to have her son out and about instead of stubbornly cooking away in her tired body.

So it's Fun Times around here with all these great babies and their older siblings! Both mamas are sleep-deprived and sore, but all in all, we'd rather have them here, complicating everything, than anywhere else.

Welcome Raisin and Godling! Y'all are going to be thick as thieves.

Today's Favorite Things

These are some of my favorite things on a breezy October morning:

First off, a snuggly baby boy, fast asleep in his carseat after an eventful trip to the farmer's market.

Second, a ton of produce: squash, potatoes, zucchini, pumpkins, and a big box of tomatoes and peppers from friends whose garden has given them a bounty.

 

This particular tomato. It is huge.

Several things in this next photo: a good, hot mocha with more coffee than chocolate; several gourds that spontaneously sprouted from our compost pile; hand-poured soy candles; jadeite pieces; odd cow creamers; and a large bouquet that turned into two, separated into beloved ball jars.

Kids in aprons, eager to help, as their dad prepares to process apples and pumpkins. (That thing on the end of the table is our "Squeezo," which expertly separates all the seeds and cores from cooked fruits and vegetables from the good, usable portions. Best thing ever.)

Finally, homemade applesauce. First, pick lots of apples at a local orchard, then bring them home and cook them in large pots until the skins are starting to slip off. Then run them through your trusty Squeezo. Voila! Instant applesauce!

These are just a few things that have filled my heart with joy and delight today. I have way more blessings, but not enough patience to photograph them all and report on them here. So please content yourselves with these homey, delightful comforts.

Happy fall!

Welcome, Raisin!

Someone arrived last night and intends to stick around for awhile.

Meet Mr. Raisin Face, our sweet baby H, who made his debut at 7:41 p.m. on October 5th. He weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 22 inches long. He has reddish hair like his brothers, bares a strong resemblance to B (with the addition of his sister's nose), and really likes to eat.

We are head over heels! Thanks for your support and prayers. Now I am going to collapse in a comatose heap while the nursery does their thing.