Autumn Splendor

When Mark asked me what I wanted to do this Saturday I didn't really have anything in mind. I've just been trying to rest in between visits to the Diabetes Clinic. I asked him what he wanted to do. Now, if you know him very well, you'd know Mark is not very spontaneous. In fact, I've learned it makes him downright nervous sometimes when I am. He lives with two very spontaneous women but we contain ourselves for his sake and try to be planners just cause we love him so. But I have learned when he IS spontaneous it makes for a marvelously fun time. This was one of those times! His quiet reply was, lets go to the mountains.


It was a little cool and misty and foggy at parts but oh so pretty. I had no idea the colors would look like they did. We threw a bunch of food in the van and were headed for North Carolina's Blueridge. Newborns are so portable. Max spent his day eating and sleeping mostly. Looking at the sky and me the other part.


Our first stop for a late lunch. (Maura's BG was 55!!) The kids explored while they ate sandwiches and fruit. We ate in the van. Luckily Kaley is now the family photographer and still keeps up with the kids adventures. She got so many gorgeous pictures, it was hard to pick which ones to put here. I hope she puts some more on her blog.



Josiah keeping up with the big kids. He is such a little man now. Right before Max was born I noticed he was with all the kids more and me less. I'd go all day with hardly a snuggle! He is just busy being one of them now. He yells, wait guys!




A huge leaf!

We stopped here at a place called Graveyard Fields. It used to be Balsams before a fire in 1925 cleared it out. It was so red. We decided to stretch our legs from all the driving.

Another view from the parking area before we walked down.

The path was really interesting. Muddy mossy areas, then boardwalks, then windswept grassy fields and streams. Truly unique. (that's me!)

Our elusive photographer~ see her shadow? I loved this picture.




Wild things in trees!! Or the Von Trapp children??

The river.




Fields.

Max slept the whole walk in his sling. He loves to ride there. If he's awake when I put him in he is really quiet and usually drifts off to sleep.



Grace who is almost as tall as her big brother!




Josiah doing a fake smile for Kaley. He loved the walk.

Maura who begged Kaley to take her picture one more time. You can see her pump in her pocket. Oh we are loving it. It makes life so much easier. We did our first site change at home today on our own. It does involve a needle and loading up insulin and using the needle to get the cannula under her skin. I have to admit I'd rather have Mark do it but I'll have to get better at it. It could fall out while he's at work. I'm learning.




This is Cold Mountain. As in the book. And movie. Which I don't really recommend. But I'd like to see if the book is different than the movie.

Looking Glass Rock. The picture doesn't do it justice. It is so big and amazing.




The tree color was just beautiful. I've been so wrapped up in my cocoon with Max, fall has really snuck up on me. It was just summer! We don't have color like this around our house yet, we are 2 hours east of here and a mile closer to sea level! I felt so blessed we caught this fleeting day to see the splendor.

On the way home. Lots of tunnels, Josiah's favorite. We got home late, to a roast in the crock pot and dinner almost fixed itself.

It was a good day.

blessings

ps Yes, Kaley, I will continue to ruthlessly and boldly use all your photos on MY blog. Hey, at least I give you credits!

Pump Day!

WE ARE PUMPING!

Sorry for the red eye! My camera, not Kaley's :) Everything went great with getting our pump going. We used an IV prep cream that numbed Maura's skin and she didn't even feel the insertion. So that was great! She is so proud of her pump and the nurse at the Diabetes Clinic gave her the cute pink and purple cover to go over it. So for today through Wednesday we are just pumping with saline to practice and learn the pump but Thursday we start life without shots! The pump gives a more finite dose of insulin and offers much more flexibility for eating schedules etc. So we are very happy to be at this point.

Here is our beautiful boy Max. He is so sweet and I am enjoying every single second with him. He mostly just eats all the time, sleeps and looks at me so serenely. He spends his time being loved and held and has no need to cry. We train our babies early that all their needs will be met, therefore, they never need cry for much. We don't wait for them to cry a lot and then give them what they need. And he is usually in arms or in sling so he is content and loved. Of course he complains sometimes as all babies do as they learn to fit in the big world. And he spits up a lot :) But mostly he is content. Not to say we haven't had babies that just cried anyway. Benjamin and Curtiss were doosies. They had a harder time fitting into our world, but Max is easier. And maybe that's because we've learned a lot over the years. So he benefits from the experience we've gained with those harder babies. We make it easier for him.

Here is Kaley practicing her magic big sister baby soothing powers. She seems to have a mysterious way of lulling babies to sleep. Mark's theory is that she and I smell the same. And she is wearing a new hat that she got just today. It was her first day out of the house in 9 days as well. Since she and I are not homebodies, that's saying a lot. She deserved a hat :)

We are all well and adjusting well. So thankful for Max and his birth. I'll try to post about that soon. It was very different than all our other babies. Not so much physically taxing as emotional. Thank God for good midwives and a wonderful husband. And babies than turn around in roomy pelvises and patience and well, I'll have to write about it :)

blessings