Surviving and loving it!

So I've made it for a week and a half with five children. I still consider myself to be fairly sane. We've had a busy time, too. Natalia had her second birthday two days after Anna was born. Madeline made her birthday cake--Grandma Kathy and I were resting on the couch, and she was happy to be doing something so important! I guess I didn't even get up long enough to get a picture of her doing it, though. Woops. Natalia got potato heads for her birthday and things are looking much clearer for her now thanks to their glasses!

These flowers have been blooming in my back yard for a month or so. They were beautiful. I was really hoping they would still look good when my baby was born so she could have a picture in them. Some of them were dying, but there was still a good patch for some pictures. She wasn't crazy about lying in them, but I thought it was cute!

Every time I pick this sweet thing up I remember how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE holding a newborn. She cuddles and molds herself right into me. There is nothing sweeter! Plus they have that great smell, the cute grunts and squeaks, etc. I always pity Kevin since he doesn't ever get to hold our babies half as much as I do. It's a lot of work having a baby around, but soooo worth it!

Since I'm sure you've been wondering, she went to the doctor Monday (1 week check up) and she's gained 3 ounces (making her 8 lbs 15 oz) and she grew an inch (or they just stretched her really far; those measurements are always a little questionable). She sleep great at night (just getting up once or twice). On my first, that was still tiring, but by the fifth kid, that seems like nothing! I don't feel nearly as drained as I used to being a new mom.

El Guapo Kevin also had a birthday--eight days after Anna was born. He got a new rototiller for his birthday. It cost a bit more than the potato heads, but don't tell Natalia. He survived sacrament meeting with four girls (and no mother) which is quite an accomplishment. He had the help of some mini marshmallows, though.

Madeline and Camilla have had swimming lessons, but because I have great friends, I only have had to take them twice so far. It is a lot of work to pack up five kids and go somewhere for half an hour!

I've only cooked dinner once the past two weeks--and it doesn't look like I'll be doing too much cooking in the near future with all the leftovers and other dinners yet to come. I like to cook, but I must admit it's been a very welcome break the past few weeks to have someone else do it for me!