Wordless Wednesday: Sisterly Love

Quick Takes # 126

1. What a week, Pope's big announcement, State of the Union, Ash Wednesday, St Valentine's Day ~ and getting into the Lenten rhythm. Here's hoping for a quiet weekend!
2. Still sorting out my Lent practices; I'm again giving up reading fiction and have selected a book to read as well as download Magnificat's Lenten App hoping to read some of the prayers of the day.  Not sure yet what the focus and direction of our almsgiving will be yet.
3. Found out this week that Lisbeth was accepted into Kindergarten, the catholic school we registered at has a maximum class size of 24 and gives first preference the children with older siblings in the school.
4. Earlier this week Caitlin passed her repeat hearing test (she failed in one ear the one done in the hospital after birth) which was highly likely but still nice to have confirmed.
5. The most interesting take on Pope Benedict's decision to abdicated, in my most humble opinion, was by Elizabeth Scalia of the Anchoress.  I don't yet know if I agree but much food for thought, yes?
6. Break for baby picture:



Baby's First Ashes!

7. 4 day weekend for the kids in observance of Presidents Day and the Season Finale of Downton Abbey (how is the season ending already?!!).  Whatever your weekend holds ~ have a good one! 

Please visit Conversion Diary for the rest of this week's Quick Takes.

Why I love my husband Vol 7

In honor of St Valentine's Day ~ another installment of:

1. Dr Daddy was on clinical service last week, and so not wanting to pass any of the lovely germs he might have brought home to Newborn Caitlin he wasn't holding her, but rather talking sweet nothings from a safe distance.
2. His great patience while cooking with the kids
3. His loving and funny texts to me when work keeps him there late.
4. For agreeing to come to my roommates party twenty years ago ~ and becoming one of God's greatest blessings in my life.

Inspired by Kaitlin of More like Mary, More like Me

On Reflection

   At first I was very thrown by yesterdays announcement of Pope Benedict's abdication and did not know what to think but just knew I felt crummy.  Obviously I did not doubt the rightness of anything he prayerfully decided to do but it still felt like my dad had announced that he was too old to continue being my dad and was stopping.  However after reading many fine posts I now believe it is more like as if he has admitted that he should no longer be driving and is handing over his keys ~ he still loves us and will always pray for us.  And I will always pray for him.

Caitlin at 1 month

• Holding her head up better every day and starting to make eye contact
• Smiles the cutest smiles in her sleep
• Sleeps well through her siblings craziness
• Not a big fan of the car, but not quite the hater Liam was
• Consistently cries through most diaper changes.
• Wonderful nurser, already mastering side-lying
• A good night sleeper, usually sleeping 3 hrs between feeding
• Already starting to out-grow her newborn sleepers

Quick Takes #125

1. We keep raising the stakes on this whole 'having 3 kids' thing.  Dr Daddy was on-call all week and so I was majorly soloing.  Largely went well; perhaps a bit more junk food, tv watching, and raised voices than I had hoped but everyone is alive and well if a little worst for wear.
2. Caitlin is now a month old (separate post coming) and having her one month check-up later today with hopefully a good report.  Loving that she now tries to raise her head and make eye contact.
3. My experience of the Super Bowl: Yummy pizza, good friends meeting Caitlin, Wow Ravens way ahead, power went out, left to put kids to bed, Wow the 49ners have this almost tied up: Good game - Go bed.
4. So without saying I did not see many of the commercials or the Halftime show; but there are some interesting posts about them: gypsy mom & Patheos.
5. A lovely treat for the weekend, both my sisters are coming to visit. So excited to introduce them to their new niece and hopefully get in some good talks/catching on life, etc.
6. Lent begins in less than week, still working on plans for myself and family.  Suggestions welcomed for ways to introduce Lent to an almost five year old.
7. The coming NorEaster is suppose to mostly hit north of us; prayers for friends and family in its path.

Please visit Conversion Diary for the rest of this week's Quick Takes.

What I Wore Sunday Vol. 2

   Another Sunday; another outfit ~ this week I was joined for the first time by Caitlin who seemed to enjoy her first Mass (post-birth).

Details:

Me ~ Pants: Target

         Sweater: Christopher&Banks

         Tank: Target

         Boots: Kohls

Caitlin ~ Sleeper ~ Macy's (I think, was a gift to her big sister)

Please visit Fine Linen and Purple for the rest of this weeks link-up.