4 weeks

a return to craftiness

Life has been so, so good since we brought home Wren.

With the exception of last night, which led to the boy staying home from school this morning because there was no way I could foresee having the energy to load up the girls and actually leave the house to pick him up.

So with three kids in the house this morning and the fights already brewing we pulled out the craft basket and got to work. Little leaves were cut (finally using up the paper bunting left over from birthday number 4), arms and hands were traced to make bare trees, glue sticks were wielded and for a half hour, blissful calm emerged at the kitchen table. Along with some pretty beautiful fall trees, if I do say so myself. 

It wasn't as good as three simultaneous naps would have been, but it was exactly what I've been missing so terribly these last months.

And that makes one bad night worth it. 

seven

Ephram says it's his favorite picture of us - so we keep it on the fridge. 

Watching the space around it fill up with ultrasound pictures, well thought out christmas wishlists, school pictures, plastic alphabet magnets, and the latest artwork is a daily reminder of how far we've come, where we want to go, but mostly how blessed we are. 

Happy 7 Robbie! From here to Narnia - only you. 

i've just seen a face

she's just the girl for me

and I want all the world to see we've met.

two weeks

some favorite bits from the last two weeks

obsessed with her 'cute little hands'

so many gifts from family and friends

monkey ears

seriously cute little hands

the teensiest of socks that still don't fit

wispy baby hair we praying stays put

sleepy eyed girls (plural!)

finally being put to use

seeing her blues while they last

cozy nights at home

snuggling up in the snuggler

the baby and the scale

Is it possible to have a baby and divorce yourself from the scale? 

I've always known I was blessed to gain the weight I did in my pregnancies considering how sick I get, but I would be lying if I said the weight didn't eat at me almost immediately following delivery. I would be lying if I said there weren't feelings of failure tied with the inability to lose weight (unrealistically) quickly. I would be lying if I said I see my body now and can appreciate all the changes it's gone through if only because of all the good it gave me. 

I am trying. But I am struggling to be convinced. 

I know I will lose the weight. 

I know the stretch marks will fade. 

I know my husband loves me regardless. 

I know the 30 pounds I've lost in less than two weeks is remarkable. 

And I know I am so tired of believing lies about myself. 

So I will try to cut myself some slack.

I will refocus my energy in the kitchen and re-school myself in the art of fresh, organic produce, vegan and vegetarian recipes, and whole foods. 

I will walk and run and play with my kids. 

I will resist the piles of halloween candy on my kitchen table.

I will enjoy taking care of my home and family again.

I will chose to rest in the love of my husband and more importantly Christ. 

The scale was tucked away cozily for the last nine months, I'm sure it won't mind if we resume our casual acquaintances relationship status. As with all our company in the last two weeks, I could definitely use a breather. 

ahhh

spending the early morning hours with Wren and David Gray. bliss.

here

Wren :: October 18 :: 8lbs 10oz :: 20" :: perfect

sharpie

If Wren decided to show up today, this is how her brother and sister would look in all the pictures. 

I've been meaning to put that Sharpie away for two days now. 
Lesson learned. 

getting ready for baby

 It's been quiet around here. I wish I could say I have been feverishly working to get things ready to bring a baby home, but truthfully I have just been tired. So painfully tired. Like, put a movie on the computer and pile the kids into my bed for the afternoon so that I can nap tired. 


I hate naps. I think I can count on one hand how many times I've napped while my babies napped. But here I am, and I will do what it takes to survive the next two (and a half) weeks. 
I cannot wait to feel like myself again. 


In the moments where wakefulness and energy actually meet I have been able to get some things done. I think everything is ticked off on my ABSOLUTELY necessary list, afew fun things have been finished, teeny tiny clothes have been bought, a meal plan has been made and I'm praying for enough energy next week to get together with a friend and execute some freezer fillers, plans have been made for family to come... We are getting there. We are probably closer to being 'ready' than I have given us credit for. 


It feels good to come to that realization. I should blog more often. 

homemade wipe solution

teeny clothes in simple sewn drawer dividers

a new boppy

newborn diapers, cloth diapers, and wipes

sweet little facecloths ready for squirmy newborn bath time

a peek at the new duvet and a sweet little thrift store find

nursery