I’m getting quite spoiled because my hubby and kids are amazing. After I finished nursing the baby on Monday morning I came out to find that the kids were finishing their chores and Mark was already washing the assigned laundry loads for the day (laundry systems for large families).
You wonder if it gets easier? As friends bring food over, they give heating directions to Amber (13) or Kaitlin (12) rather than to me. I just show up with the baby when it’s time to eat. The kids have handled all the house and kitchen work (with some supervision from Daddy) and Mark is the laundry master.
So what have I been doing?
It's rough, but someone has to do it.
Mark is back at work today and my plan is to get back to our regular schedule with school, cut the little girl’s hair and when Bella gets fussy we’ll go for a walk around the neighborhood with baby in the Moby Wrap (stay tuned for a full review and an opportunity to win your own Moby).
Still on maternity leave. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks Raising Olives will get back to being a source of useful information, rather than just a journal of our lives, but we’re all just having too much fun playing games and loving on babies.
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Hi, I'm Kimberly. 
What a blessing to have all this help
And I love the picture of you 3, so precious!
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Thank you! Another perk of having big kids, pictures with ME in them.
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I love my Moby Wrap – looking forward to your review! And having a baby with big kids around sounds great… I will not be jealous of your helpers…I will not… well, maybe just a little..LOL.
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 8:43 am
There is one downside to having lots of big helpers. Bella is over a week old and has NEVER slept outside of someone’s arms, NEVER. We’ll think about that next week.
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Tristan from the Crew Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Hehehe! Yes, down the road shemay nbe thrilled at napping or sleeping without a warm body next to her. But right now is way to early to think about it!
And my oldest will be 9 1/2 this time around, with the next being 6, 5, 3, and almost 2, so I suppose it will be a different experience than last time. I know they are all more helpful now than a year ago, much less two years ago! Phew.
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So glad you have all that help. That is the way it is supposed to be. And of course you are to hold and love on these babies! They grow way too fast enjoy them while they are little and want to stay in your lap. So happy for you! Enjoy!
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I love seeing part of your life, take the time to relax and enjoy these babies
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This is completely sweet.
Congrats on your new little one.
I was 13 and 15 when my two youngest sisters were born, and well do I remember how fun it was!
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
It’s so nice to hear other ‘older’ siblings who enjoyed their mom’s babies.
I was 11 when my youngest sibling was born. He had his first child last week (two days after Isabella was born), but I still think of him as the little baby that I helped care for.
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Can I just say that this is my favorite post that I’ve read all day? I can’t stop smiling.
What a beautiful, beautiful family.
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Thank you!
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I love it that you have a blog and 10 kids! And a newborn! I just came across your blog and would love to follow it more! I don’t have 10 but I have two a 22 month old and a 2 month old! I could use some of your tips! Stop by my blog if you get a spare second http://ourepacefulhome.blogspot.com
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I enjoy reading all about your precious family. Esp at 3 am after nursing an infant…lol. Keeps me sane.
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Be sure to take it slow and easy. After the 3rd c-section I finally learned that recovery takes time. Enjoy the rest… we’ll all be here when you get back!
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Thanks Shannon. I keep reminding myself that, I’m really feeling wonderful. How long do you think that I should really focus on taking it easy?
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Shannon Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
It’s great you’re feeling so wonderful! I believe a good rule of thumb is rest when you start to feel tired. Remember you just had surgery… and try to let others take care of the housework for a few weeks. For me, it definitely took a good 6 weeks to really be on my game again. And on days I felt good and overdid it, I really paid for it!
Blessings!
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Where was the Moby when I was raising children? It is THE most incredable thing to help a mother of a newborn. My daughter wears her baby constantly, which allows her to also take care of her three other small ones at the same time. I take a Moby Wrap to every baby shower…It is a lifesaver. Bella is beautiful! So glad all is well in your home. Thanks for blessing us with a glimpse into it.
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Thanks. I agree about the Moby. It is my go-to carrier for a young baby.
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So good to see you up and at ‘em!! I can say that I had similar experiences when Ruby was born in April; my hubby and kids did so much that first two weeks. I have a great husband who gets right in there and helps the kids!! We are rejoicing with you that all is well and little Bella is adorable indeed!! God bless you!!
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Can’t wait to see you and little Ruby. Hoping you’ll be able to come down for Bella’s baptism, probably in late August. You will make it, right??
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Thank you for posting while you are acclimating to having a newborn in the house again. You are amazing! I enjoy seeing the pictures of your beautiful children and reading what is going on in your household, it is encouraging to hear how other families live out everyday life.
Enjoy your walks with the Moby wrap… we love ours!
Blessings,
Dawna
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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Thanks Dawna.
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What a beautiful picture of the three of you. I’m thankful things are going as smooth as can be! Take your time to getting back to “useful blogging” we are just as happy to see the pictures and glimpses of life!
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I’m in total agreement with the other ladies’ posts…we feel really blessed to be part of this special time in your family! Who’s to say that these posts aren’t useful?
Continue to rest and enjoy every moment. We’re still here and reading every word!
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I agree with these other supportive posts. May you cherish this precious time of welcoming your sweet babe. Congratulations!
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What a gorgeous photo! I am so happy for you all:)) And, the rest of the family is being marvelous, too:)
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You just take it easy on maternity leave and we are OK with the “journaling” as long as there as photos as sweet as this one. Now I want to cuddle a couple little ones…I wonder if a kitten on my shoulder counts? Nah!!!
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I wanted to let you know I gave you a blog award today:
http://ourbusyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-awards-thank-you.html
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I like the daily journaling. It saves me the long trip to your house to look in the windows. Hee-hee. Enjoy the rest and heal well. I hope our paths cross again soon.
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I am so glad that you are able to rest and enjoy your babies. I love when you post about what’s going on in your family. I believe that we will be passing through your hometown on Saturday, I will be thinking about you and your family.
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Oh yes, it sure looks rough
Enjoy this time!
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