Lest I Forget

My sweet friend Selena came over a few days after Peter was born and took some photos of Peter for us. Isn't she talented?

...have been rough. I want to chronicle things here for reference later on, but mostly because I think it is therapeutic to write out the emotional toughies. I have to say the biggest emotional hurdle for me is my guilt. Guilt that they talked me into an induction. Because I was fearful of a terrible labor on pitocin, I opted for an epidural for the first time in 20 years. As I reached the transitional phase of labor, Peter began to be distressed. His heart rate plummeted and there was a great commotion to try and help him. Luckily, we got him here quickly and safely, but I immediately felt guilty for having chosen this path. When we came home two days later, Peter had lost half a pound. Not unusual for a breast-fed baby, but as my milk became more abundant, Peter was not plumping up like I expected. It took him forever to feed and was still hungry. At a weight check on Saturday morning, he had not gained any weight. He had not lost any more, but neither had he gained. I decided...

Jenny is still at the hospital, safe and sound. So, I, Tony, the husband, will have to give all of you J. Reosti blog followers who are in suspense the initial report on Peter Louis Reosti, the newest Reosti. We're 95% solid on Peter. Charles is option, though. But Louis is rock solid in the middle. He was born 5:52pm EST, 7lbs 11ozs, 19.5ins long. The smallest of our 7 babies. No complications as of yet. I am sure Jenny will post all the details when she gets home. But for now, here are a few pics:   Pete all cleaned up. Mom resting very happily. The rest of the gang saying hello.

Tomorrow morning at seven o'clock, I will walk into the hospital to be induced. To say that I am nervous is an understatement. Your prayers are most welcome. I have never been induced before, and the only stories I have heard about induction include such phrases as "labor twice as painful" and "only to end up in a c-section". But the doctors have me fearful of a stillbirth given my age. Here I am a few days ago. Do I look ready? Tomorrow is the feast day of St. Maximillian Kolbe and I have been saying a novena to him for a safe delivery. I love how devoted he was to Mary Our Mother. I am praying that she will be with me tomorrow too.

...we have been remembering the good times and memories of our sweet Ben. He died five years ago today. Tony wanted us all to go on a bike ride to the 7-11, since Ben and Tony would ride to the shopette on post and get themselves a "bracer", as they called it. Most everyone else would call it a slurpee. It was a tradition for the two of them. However, the weather did not cooperate. It has been pouring rain all day. We had a Mass said for Ben today. We took up the gifts. The wonderful lady who "runs" things gave Therese a tiny wooden cross to carry so she didn't feel left out. She walked so solemnly up to the altar and handed the priest the little cross.  I do believe she melted a few hearts, including mine. After Mass, Tony suggested going out to eat at a wing joint to honor Ben and his favorite restaurant. Our little folk choir would all go out for dinner together quite often. Ben would order and consume ten barbeque wings most Saturday nights after Mass....

Yesterday was spent preparing meals to freeze to make it a little easier over the next few weeks. I collapsed into bed last night exhausted but at peace. But sleep proved fitful at best. I got out of bed in the early light of the morning. It was just light enough to find my way downstairs to my Magnificat and the morning readings. Not too long after that, I heard heavy footsteps overhead and knew my husband was getting ready to go to work. He came down and we went through the mail and what the day might hold before sending him off with a kiss. I got the laundry started and puttered about the house organizing a little bit. I went back upstairs and laid down to do a little reading while the house was still quiet. One by one, the little ones wandered in and snuggled around me. By then, it had started raining outside. I opened the back door to let the sounds and smells of a gentle morning rain drift in and around us as we started our day. The rest of the morning has been less than ideal,...

is a tomato sandwich. Fresh picked tomatoes right out of the garden, sliced nice and thick, a little salt and pepper, and a healthy dollop of mayo on each slice of this homemade bread . I made this bread yesterday for the first time and Tony declared it my best ever. It is that good. The only changes I made were to use vegan butter and I only used one tablespoon of yeast. Believe me, it rose beautifully. I am sorry there are no pictures. My sandwich did not last that long. I made the dough before leaving for my non-stress test. The baby is not stressed, just head up. The dough got a nice two-hour rise thanks to some other babies who were stressed, so I had to wait. I prayed for those mamas and their babies. Last night was the weekly outdoor concert on Ft. Eustis. I made some peanut butter cookies to take with us to share and we met some friends over there. Minus the bugs, it was a lovely evening. On the way home, the moon rose to greet us and guide us home. It was ever so big, red...

Well now. I went in for a growth scan for this little baby this morning. Somehow, between the non-stress test on Monday and this morning, he decided being head down was no good. He is breech. AGAIN! Maybe the other kids did this too and I just didn't know (sometimes technology is not all it's cracked up to be) that they were little gymnasts. At the same time, technology has brought me much comfort throughout this pregnancy. I can see him moving. I can listen to his heartbeat (two times a week at this point) and know that he is happily hanging out in my belly. I also know that he is growing quite like he should. He is now over 7 pounds and plumping up nicely. He also has a head of hair already. Emotionally, I am going in circles too. I am soooo ready to meet this little baby and I am so tired of not being able to reach things like the kitchen sink (I have to turn sideways to do the dishes) or the laundry soap, which I wasted a goodly portion of  yesterday when I dropped the bo...