I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted! I really need to make a little better effort at posting here at least semi-consistently. So since it’s been so long I’ll try to give an abbreviated update.
On April 28th I had my first midwife appointment. I was 12 weeks 5 days along. All went very well! My weight was down by a few pounds. I was negative for glucose and protein. My blood pressure was a little high but I believe that is because we had a student sitting in on the appointment. (I’ve never had to “deal with” that before.) We only had to have one vial of blood drawn. And best of all, the midwife found the baby’s heartbeat as soon as she placed the doppler on my stomach!!! The baby’s heartrate was strong and in the 150’s. What a beautiful sound that is!!! So I’m currently in my second trimester and recently completed my third month! It’s hard to believe I’ll be halfway through my pregnancy (four and a half months) in just over 3 weeks! Our next appointment is on June 10th, our 8th anniversary!
Over the last few weeks we’ve been busy getting our gardens ready for planting. Scott has gotten lots of seeds and quite a few transplants planted. So far we have several kinds of lettuce, peas (both sugar snap and snow), rainbow swiss chard, spinach, several kinds of beets, green beans, onions, cabbage, broccoli, and potatoes in the ground. We’ve also been able to harvest some chives, lemon balm, oregano, thyme, and sage from the herb garden! We still have a lot more to get in but we’re making progress! We’re hoping and praying that we will be able to put up enough food for the whole winter. I don’t even want to think about the hot, sticky hours of work filling jars for the canner! 😉 But it will be well worth all the hard work!
John, Noah, and Isaiah are growing like weeds! I can hardly believe my oldest “baby” will turns 6 years old in just over a month! Where does the time go? In preparation for the new baby’s arrival I plan to start first grade with John at the beginning of August. We’ll continue with school until I get to the baby’s EDD and then we’ll take a couple weeks off. We’re continuing with the free Charlotte Mason-inspired program Ambleside Online. I’m still in the process of collecting some of the books but John and I are both getting really excited to start! The only thing I dread is having to report to the school district throughout the year. Oh well, what can I do/say?
I’m not sure how many of you know I taught myself to knit last August but you can expect a picture-filled blog post soon detailing all my creations. (Mostly dish/washcloths.)
I’m sure there is more I could share but it’s all escaping me for now.
Reformed Farmer's Wife 
Dear Leah,
I have enjoyed reading your blog a little bit, and plan to get back here a bit more often.
I’ve also enjoyed Scott’s blog here and there, and am going to send a link to my husband AJ.
AJ and I are looking to simplify our lives, and in the words of our dear friend, we are “eating the elephant in bites” (because you cant eat it all in ONE bite!!)
We are from California, and are currently in Co.
AJ has been watching the “signs” of/for economic collapse, and it is heavy on his heart to prepare for the coming times.
It has been a fun an interesting journey, speeding up full bore over the last couple months.
Currently he is looking at property in the panhandle of Idaho (Idaho, because of the relatively friendly home-school laws. That and it’s a bit closer to family than Alaska – but don’t tempt him!) 🙂
Anyway, I hope you’re feeling pretty well!
I always rejoice over being half-way too, and then my sweet husband says “…as I recall… the second half is a LOT longer than the first!”
Thanks a LOT! ;-P
Pleasure getting to know your family:-)
-Analene
Was very glad for the update Leah! So, approximately when are you due? Hopefully someday we all can get together at a park together or Iron Kettle for a picnic so we can catch up in person and visit!
Forget the duedate question, I didn’t notice the side of your blog! Samantha’s bday is Nov. 3 and Wayne’s is Nov. 7 🙂