The first two weeks of having Palmer home were relatively pretty good. He slept most of the time and did about 5-6 hour stretches most nights. Jack was enjoying all the attention and presents he was getting as a big brother- and he was so proud! We even went away to the beach at the end of the second week and had a wonderful time with our friends the Shahs. It was a perfect weekend and I loved that Jack spent time at the beach, something he LOVES to do. And I'm glad I got to enjoy sitting on this porch most of the weekend and enjoyed the sound of the water!!
And then on the third week Steve got sick with a severe cold and
so did Jack. About a week later both me and Palmer got sick and it took us about two weeks to fight it off. Not fun to be sick while taking care of a newborn and toddler! Just as I was
getting over the cold I got mastitis and started on antibiotics. It was around
this time that Palmer became pretty unconsolable I think due to the antibiotics… then shortly after that he continued to be gassy for about another few
weeks due to various things I won't get into. To be honest nursing and post-partum blues did not come easy for me, but thankfully both of them are now much better. Needless to say- it was a rough start for us!!
I've had precious moments these last two month that I wouldn't trade for anything. And I've have also been moments when I have when I have been wept and pleaded for help. In trying to find a silver lining in all of this I've realized that all these setbacks have brought me to a point where I've accepted that I just can't do this on my own, and I'm reminded of how much I need grace and wisdom each day- even for the smallest of decisions!
I've felt God speak to me through my children many times. Through them I have learned something about the character of God or have realized something about myself that needed to change, and that is a blessing in all of this too. A book that has reminded me of this is ' Loving The Little Years'. Highly recommend it and if you are expecting, don't be surprised if you get a copy of it from me!
In chapter two of the book the author writes "God treats us with great kindness as we fail daily. He takes the long view of our sin- knowing that every time we fail and repent, we grow in our walk with Him"
I have a difficult time extending grace to myself when I feel like I 'fail' as a mother. Like when I'm too tired to discipline. Or I get frustrated and lose my temper with my husband and children. Or this day when I completely forgot to give Jack lunch and the poor little guy fell asleep on the couch!!
"God has given us the job of teaching His law and demonstrating His grace to our children. We are to be guides to our children as they learn to walk with God". I am slowly learning when to be firm and when to extend grace to my sweet boys.
This is how Steve found us when he came home from work the other day- and I am posting against my better judgment :) I was jiggling Palmer to sleep, when Jack asked for candy and I said no- and then he had the mother of all temper tantrums. It was hard to not give in just so he would be quiet, and so he just cried and cried until he fell asleep in my arms. So we all napped in the couch together eventually- notice how I'm still wearing my pajamas and my old lady robe at 5pm- ha!
Not sure how to end this post so I'll just share pictures of these precious little boys.. I love them so so much! My prayer for Jack and Palmer is that they will grow up to be Godly men who love Christ above anything else.
I've felt God speak to me through my children many times. Through them I have learned something about the character of God or have realized something about myself that needed to change, and that is a blessing in all of this too. A book that has reminded me of this is ' Loving The Little Years'. Highly recommend it and if you are expecting, don't be surprised if you get a copy of it from me!
In chapter two of the book the author writes "God treats us with great kindness as we fail daily. He takes the long view of our sin- knowing that every time we fail and repent, we grow in our walk with Him"
I have a difficult time extending grace to myself when I feel like I 'fail' as a mother. Like when I'm too tired to discipline. Or I get frustrated and lose my temper with my husband and children. Or this day when I completely forgot to give Jack lunch and the poor little guy fell asleep on the couch!!
"God has given us the job of teaching His law and demonstrating His grace to our children. We are to be guides to our children as they learn to walk with God". I am slowly learning when to be firm and when to extend grace to my sweet boys.
This is how Steve found us when he came home from work the other day- and I am posting against my better judgment :) I was jiggling Palmer to sleep, when Jack asked for candy and I said no- and then he had the mother of all temper tantrums. It was hard to not give in just so he would be quiet, and so he just cried and cried until he fell asleep in my arms. So we all napped in the couch together eventually- notice how I'm still wearing my pajamas and my old lady robe at 5pm- ha!
 |
| Andrew |
 |
| Jack |
 |
| Palmer |
I've closed comments for this post but would love to hear from you if you'd like to share something. I hope to most more often, but I don't think it will be for a while!!
