Little Man is 7 weeks old!

Well, today my little man turned 7 weeks old. Seven weeks?!?!? Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I was up here updating about a pre-natal appointment! He went through a little episode earlier in the week where he wouldn't eat -- at all. I was so concerned. So, first I tried a little pedialyte. He wouldn't even drink that. So, out of desperation, I tried a different bottle nipple. Guess what? He drank not only the 2 oz. of pedialyte I had in the bottle but 10 oz. of milk. Little booger has decided that he preferred this nipple instead of this nipple; when for the last 6 weeks, it had been reversed. He's a pudgy little thing, but still short. His 0-3 months clothes are a tad tight around the waist. He can wear 3-6 months shirts with no problems. But, 3-6 months pants are way too long! LOL

So, here he is:

Mommy Moments -- Yellow???

While looking for pictures in this week's theme -- the color yellow -- I have learned something about myself. I have learned that I do not care for the color yellow... at all! I had to search back in old photos just to locate one picture of each child in or with something yellow. So, here goes.....



First, we have Tina sliding down a YELLOW slide. (Taken in 2008 -- Age 10)

Next, Carly sliding down the YELLOW slide. (Taken in 2008 -- Age 5)

Caitlyn, in her beautiful YELLOW Easter dress. (Taken in 2010 -- Age 4)

Charlotte, in her YELLOW jacket. (Taken in 2007 -- Age 2)

Cheyenne, in her YELLOW shirt. (Taken in 2007 -- Age - a few months)

Courtney, with her YELLOW Easter basket. (Taken in 2010 - Age 2)

Connor, with his YELLOW Fleur-Di-Lis on his shirt. (Taken in March 2010 -- Age 1 month)

Don't forget to join us over at The Mommy Journey for Mommy Moments!

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE U -- Yes, it really is!

Now, I am a LSU girl. I love them. If I had to choose colleges/universities right now to submit my transfer record to, LSU would be on top of the list (along with Tulane). They are my NCAA team through everything. And all was right in my world when they won the NCAA World Series last year. But......... I want my son to go to the University of Miami (FL). Why? Because they have one of the best NCAA football programs in the country. Sure, their record hasn't been showing it, but look at the football talent that has gone through there. Some of the current NFL players -- Frank Gore, Devin Hester, Darnell Jenkins, Ray Lewis, Willis McGahee, Santana Moss, Sinorice Moss, Clinton Portis, Ed Reed, Glenn Sharpe, Jeremy Shockey, Santonio Thomas, Jonathan Vilma, Reggie Wayne, Kellen Winslow II, among others. Past NFL talent includes, among many others - Bennie Blades, Ken Dorsey, Michael Irvin, Jim Kelly, Jim Otto, Warren Sapp, Vinny Testaverde, and Sean Taylor. Now, why wouldn't I want my son to go through their program? Yes, I am one of those moms who wants their son to be the next football star. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't. But, if it does, you won't find a more proud mama in the world!

Now, there is a Hurricane fan in my household -- my husband. He always has been, always will be. So, Miami clothing is normal around here.

So, I took these pics of Connor just for the hubby. Ok, and the fact that one day I hope he does play college ball there.

ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY 2010

I am SO excited about joining in again this year for the 4th Annual Ultimate Blog Party 2010 over @ 5 Minutes For Mom.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. If you are a new visitor, then welcome! If you are a returning visitor, then welcome back!

So, now its time to introduce you to my crew. And a large one we are......

Me and Chris (with Connor)


I'm Crystal. I started this blog back in 2008 just for fun really. I put some of my poems on it, then posted a few of my thoughts. I didn't really get serious about blogging until January 2009. I still don't post as much as I'd like or as much as others do, but I try. I've opened up my life to the world. All I ask for is simple respect back. Now, about me: I am a home schooling (unschooling), non vaxing, non circumcising, non CIO, co sleeping mommy of 7. I have strong beliefs and I will defend them with all I have. I try to stay away from political and religious topics, as they cause lots of friction. However, if an open-minded person asks, I will discuss them. I am a full-time college student studying accounting. I found my home in Louisiana and it truly is the only place I'll call home. I am a football loving woman who will discuss it with you, who will watch games on Sundays and Mondays and who will yell at the TV louder than a man. Naturally, this fact about myself is a huge hit with my husband, as he doesn't have the nagging "Another game?" wife. My team is the New Orleans Saints and was before this season -- I am not, nor will never be a bandwagon fan. They pluck my nerves. I even put myself into pre-labor during the NFC championship (piece of advice -- do not jump out of a chair screaming when you are 35 weeks pregnant!). Enough about me.....

My association with my husband began 21 years ago when we were 10 years old. It was not a pretty sight. You see, he has this sometimes cocky attitude that existed even back then. He decided to inform me on the bus that he was god and that I should worship him. I decided against that idea, and let him know with a nice punch in the face. Love hurts, I guess. Seven years later we began dating. We still have our ups and downs, but then again, who doesn't? We were engaged a little more than a month after we started dating, had our first child 2 years after we started dating and finally got married when she was 10 months old. Yes, we went backwards......

Now, I have 7 children.


Before you begin wondering, yes all 7 are OURS. It's rare these days, but we are one of the rare ones.

Our oldest, Tina, will be 12 next month. She 100% has the teenage attitude. It drives me insane. Remember back when you were a pre-teen/teen and your mom would say "I hope you have 10 just like you!"? Well, that curse works!!! Tina is a home schooled 5th/6th grader. I home schooled her in Kindergarten and began home schooling 1st grade. Then I got a job and could not afford day care for 2 kids so I had to put her in public school. They never tested her, just stuck her back in Kindergarten. Then she went into 1st grade the next year. I got fed up with the school system, or apparent lack thereof, and pulled her back out. She has been home schooled ever since.

Next is Carly. She will be 8 this fall. She is named after 3 wonderful women -- my Nanny, my maternal grandmother and hubby's maternal grandmother. She is a home schooled 1st grader. She has never attended public school and says she never wants to.

Next are my first set of twins. Yes, I said first set. They are Caitie and Charlee (short for Charlotte). They were a huge shock. They will be 5 in the fall. Right now they are home schooled as "pre schoolers".

Then comes my second set of twins, Cheyenne and Courtney. They will be 3 in the fall. They are complete opposites. Blonde hair vs brunette; chunky vs skinny; pale vs tan.......

Now, before I move on, yes you have read this correctly. I have written about my 6 beautiful girls.

My last child just turned 6 weeks. He is a mama's boy 150%. His name is Connor and he has been my little troublemaker from the start.

So, there you have who I usually write about in some aspect. You all know I cannot have a boring life when I have a husband and 7 kids ranging from 12 to 6 weeks running around........

I, at one time, participated in several weekly blog events such as Thursday Thirteen, Aloha Friday, Question Of The Week, etc. I have gotten out of that due to my busy life, but plan to return to them soon.

For my new visitors, here are a couple of my favorite blogs I have written:

• Looking Back -- October 19 and 20, 2005 (Caitie and Charlee's birth)
• Looking Back -- October 10, 2007 (Cheyenne and Courtney's birth)
• All Blogs About Connor's Grand Entrance

Those are all about the birth of 5 of my 7 children. Tina's will be written next month and Carly's in September.

I have a few ways you can follow me.

• You can always follow me through blogger by clicking on the Follow button.
• My facebook fan page
• My Twitter
• I also have a home schooling blog that I have not really kept up with like I should have -- The Swarmer Academy

Comments are welcomed on any post. I read all comments and visit all visitor's blogs.

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There are so many cool prizes to be won at this year's Ultimate Blog Party. I am still narrowing my choices down and will have them posted before the 16th!

Connor is 6 weeks old!

Time sure is flying! It has been 6 weeks since my little man was born. He is growing so fast. He eats like a piggie. Really, he does! He ate 15 oz the other night in an hour. And he kept it all down! LOL He usually eats between 6-10 oz every 3-4 hours. I guess he thinks he's a growing boy.....


Here he is:


And look at those little chunky cheeks!!!




And, for those who may wonder....... I try to dress him in themes. Most of his clothes are football related or "bayou animal" (turtles, alligators, crab, etc) related. He is, after all, my bayou baby.

Hoppity Hop Hop......

Our Easter involved 2 things -- the "beach" and an Easter egg hunt! First, we went to the Gulf of Mexico where my intention was to just take pictures of the kids. Well, while walking to the water's edge, I kept seeing amazing seashells. I kept picking them up, so this involved the kids wanting to seashell hunt. I couldn't pick just a few pictures to share so, I'm sharing a bunch!

The 7 kids:


Chris and the Kids


Me and the Kids


Me, Chris and Connor


The Kids "Seashell hunting"


"Sisterly Love" Twins Cheyenne and Courtney


Caitlyn


Crystina


Carolyn


Courtney


Courtney again


I liked it so much, I made it black and white too.


The Gulf of Mexico



Afterwards, the kids did an easter egg hunt with some friends. 9 kids + 166 eggs = fun!!! Afterwards, Chris and I sat around the pool with Connor and talked to some friends. The kids played in the yard.


Charlotte


Caitlyn


Cheyenne


Courtney - she was so cute. At first, she didn't understand the whole thing. I would tell her to pick up the egg and put it in her basket and she'd look at me like I was crazy.


Connor during the egg hunt.


After, he was exhausted!!! LOL

It All Begins Here.....

That's the corny saying for our hospital......

In the city where I live, the hospital has a billboard by the Sam's Club. After you have given birth, you are given a form to fill out giving them permission to put your child's info on the board. You have 30 days to get the form in if you want the info on it. It is then displayed within 3 days and stays on the board for 10 days. I waited so long because my van had been in the shop and I wanted to ensure I was able to see the board and take pictures. So, here is the hospital bulletin board announcing Connor: