six years ago...

...I had my fifth child, M.E.

After four births at hospitals, I was ready for a homebirth. For reason I won't go into right now, I was eager to have my next baby at home. We found a midwife who would work with us and started our journey.

On Dec. 30th, 2003 I woke up at around 4:00 a.m. with contractions. I wasn't sure if they were real or not because the last 3 births had all been induced in the hospital. I called the midwife and she said she would come if I wanted her to. I told her to come, I would feel better, especially if they were the real thing. She started our way (a two hour drive; one and a half if she speeds).

At around 5:40 our fifth baby; third son was born unassisted in the shower. Yeah, they were real, alright. Our midwife walked in about 10 minutes later. :) She later told me that usually when the woman is that close to birth she's not on the phone with the midwife, so she didn't hurry...stopped for gas and coffee, etc. haha

I was thrilled with this homebirth experience and proceeded to have my next three at home. (Our ninth was different; far different, I had to have an emergency c-section; but that's another story).

So our middle child turned 6 yesterday (when I started this post it was the 31st...I'm up late, or early as it were). He is truly in the middle (so far). He has 2 brothers, 2 sisters older than him and 2 brothers, 2 sisters younger.

The birthday child gets to pick the meals for the day. M.E. picked peach cobbler for breakfast (sorry no pic), for lunch he got to go to Sonic with my brother, and for supper he picked pizza. We bought 6 pizzas from Papa John's (yum!). We had invited another large family over per birthday boy's request and the pizza went fast...


...as did the large cake; appropriately decorated with tigers. :)



This guy is very serious. A total opposite of his next older brother who is a clown. :)



M.E. has to have things just so. He hated that we moved last year and it took him a long time to adjust. He doesn't like change and thrives on schedules.


He likes tigers and has several stuffed ones (including one very small one that he can carry in his pocket). And, as of yesterday, several Schleich brand ones. He also like Thomas the Tank Engine and has several of those as well. He got a new one yesterday because his old one broke. He also got one called Billy (because it's orange - his favorite color).

He started school this year (homeschool) and loves to do his computer program (Click 'n' Kids) that teaches reading.

He has been such a blessing to our family.

Happy Birthday, M.E.!


Until next time...