A week has gone by since the not-so wee one was born. She's doing quite well, sleeping most of the day and night. Her nursing is rather vigorous, but the cracks I developed in the first days are getting better and I don't wince at the thought of her latching on any more. She's awfully sweet, although since she pretty much wants to be held 24/7, I never feel free or able to get much done.

My husband had this first week off from work, which I enjoyed. On Friday though, he did have to go out and do work related thing. I started out ok, sending the bigger kids outside to play in the sprinkler and pick tomatoes. But later when the littlest came inside and got into one thing after another -- dialing the phone, throwing the freshly picked tomatoes all over the kitchen, etc. I was ready to give up. It's really hard to chase down and manage a very busy toddler when you are one handed and holding a baby.

My older kids are big helpers. They hold their sister when I need a minute to get something done. They help with the laundry and other tasks, but they are kids themselves and sometimes they too can be the source of extra craziness.

Crazy and loud, full of adjustments and all, this first week has flown by far too quickly. I'm settling in a little, but it's going to take me a while to figure out the care and management of five.