Keeping the Essentials

As we adjust to #3, just like with the other babies, it's been a challenge to figure out how to keep the essentials in life- things like laundry and meal prep and showers- with the new schedule of nursing so often.

One of the advantages of nursing is that I have forced sitting time, so I've gotten to read more than normal. Last week I read Jim Cymbala's book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. I've never visited the Brooklyn Tabernacle, and I don't know much about the Cymbalas' theology. But it was a good reminder of the importance of dependence and prayer.

Not long ago, a new mom told me how she doesn't feel the need to have her devotions consistently since she spends her days changing diapers now instead of relating to unbelievers. I remember thinking that when William was a baby. And I remember discovering how wrong I was. And the case is even clearer now that I have two preschoolers I need to parent daily as well.

If there's anything I need to fit into my day right now, it's time with God. More than clean clothes, more than food on the table, more than a shower. This is the one essential. I don't have any great ideas for how to find the time, or how to not fall asleep once I do sit down with my Bible, but I know that that's the most important thing to figure out right now. It's my lifeline.

Questions

It's fun to watch Lily's mind develop. She's always been one to ask questions during movies. But lately the questions have gone from "What's his name?" and "Where is So-and-so?" to "Why did they do that?"

This has been especially fun with the Bible story movies like Esther and David and Goliath. The past couple days I've overheard her acting out the David and Goliath story. Once I saw her swinging a cookie cutter over her head.

I'm excited to start introducing more of the concepts behind the stories- trusting God, obeying Him, watching Him protect you, etc.

Schoolwork

When Grandma and Grandpa R were here, they hung a curtain rod in the spare room to hang William's schoolwork on from his times with his tutor, Mrs. Baker. (Thanks, Auntie Jenn, for the idea!) After each session, Lily ("the principle" as Mrs. Baker calls her) goes up to see and comment on what he's done. He seems proud to show us his work.

St. Jude Trike-A-Thon

William's preschool class is participating in a Trike-A-Thon next Friday to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. His teacher explained that she wants the kids, who so often are on the receiving end of services, to practice thinking about kids less fortunate than themselves.

And this is a super fun way to do that. I'm sure William will be thrilled to get to bring his bike to school and go for a ride with all his friends.

If you would like to support him, just send me your cash or check (made out to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital) before next Friday. His goal is $35, so even small donations are meaningful.

Another Blog Memory Book

Since I changed addresses for the blog, I decided to turn the old blog into a memory book again like I did with the Pastors College year. This one didn't turn out as perfectly- the picture isn't centered on the cover and that sort of thing. But it only took a week to put together. And it would have taken even less time if I would have noticed the type was preset to size 9. Either way, it's a whole lot nicer than just throwing the pictures in a photo album. Technology is a wonderful thing!

Sticker Boy

ETR

Yesterday afternoon was William's Evaluation Team Report (ETR) meeting. Having to do a ETR two years in a row turned out to be a blessing in disguise. This time around I had a much better idea of what testing was needed and what we could do without. So unlike last year's Multi-Faceted Evaluation (MFE), this year's MFE included documentation of William's receptive language deficit, cognitive delay, and apraxia. And we were able to get all that without having to be too pushy or unpleasant. Hopefully that will mean an easier and more pleasant IEP process as well. Praise the LORD!

Bonding

We are so grateful to have had three weeks of pretty much constant help from Auntie Jenn and both sets of grandparents. It's been a big help to me and great bonding time for everybody.

Grandma and Grandpa R went home tonight, so now we are "on our own." But next week the kids are on spring break, so the schedule will be easier. And Grandma B reminded me today that she is still available to help. We are so blessed!

Waking Up

Abigail is awake more often now, so we are all enjoying interacting more with her. Here Lily is showing her the toys on her play gym.

Grandpa's Helper

Two Weeks Old

Abigail had her first dr. appointment today. She weighed in at 8lb 1oz, a full pound over her discharge weight. That was a relief to me since this is my first sleepy baby.

William and Lily continue to adore her. Of course it helps that she sleeps almost all the time. Only Bingley seems jealous. (Suggestions, anyone?) I'm tired, but doing well. I'm so grateful for all the help we've had.

The Most Meaningful Gift

A number of people have asked me this week if we need anything for the baby. Quite honestly, the answer is no. We already had lots of baby items from the first two kids, and family and church friends have blessed us with lots of presents already.

What would be very meaningful for those of you who want to share our joy, is for you to take the $5-10 you would spend on a cute outfit or two and instead donate it to Hamlin Fistula. Everyone has a cause dear to their heart. For me, it's vesicovaginal fistulas (VVFs). We don't know if the fact that William went into distress during labor caused or contributed to any of his special needs. But we do know for sure that if I hadn't had an emergency c-section, he would not be with us today, and I would probably have a VVF as a result.

Without treatment, that means incontinence and consequentially becoming a social outcast with no hope of childbearing again. And yet the treatment is usually simple. This is one of those issues where the medical science is available, it's just a matter of financial provision. So a donation can make a significant difference.

If you want to read a short article about Dr. Catherine Hamlin, check out this Christianity Today blog post. To learn more about Hamlin Fistula, you can visit their website. It is my hope that some day Abby will feel honored that her birth helped bring about the relief of others' suffering.

Bringing Home Baby

God's Gift

God totally answered all our prayers for this baby's arrival. Last Friday night, Eric gave her a little talk in utero. ("Abigail, this is your father speaking. It's time for you to make your appearance.") That night I woke up to contractions about midnight, and by a little after 5am, we were holding our newest daughter. I was able to have another successful VBAC. Abigail was and is totally healthy and strong as well as beautiful. And she's eating well and sleeping even more. God didn't need to make it all that easy. It was simply His kindness. We are so grateful! Thank you all so much for your prayers.

Getting Acquainted

Introducing...

Abigail Rose
Born Saturday, March 5th at 5:02am
7.4 lbs 19.5 in

Biblical Perspective of Childbirth

Last weekend Eric and I took a tour of the hospital where I will be having the baby. That experience, along with all the childbirth conversations my big belly tends to bring up these days, has reminded me how much unbiblical thinking often surrounds childbirth, even for Christians.

I am no theologian, but I thought I'd state a few clear Scriptural truths on the topic in case they're helpful for anyone:

1. Childbirth, while a natural part of life, has been directly effected by the Fall. Just like sickness and death effect people in other seasons of life, they can easily touch mom and baby in this season. How kind of God that many births don't involve either sickness or death. But we should remember that that is not always the case; God has given us no guarantee.

2. Doctors, hospitals, medication, and surgeries are the products of humanity and, as such, are effected by sin, limitations, and weakness. We should not expect them to be perfect.

3. At the same time, these same doctors, hospitals, medications, and surgeries are also major means of God's common grace to counteract sickness and death, and that's true in the area of childbirth just as much as it is on other areas.

4. In addition, pain during childbirth is specifically mentioned in Genesis as a part of the Curse. (For me, personally, this truth frees me from feeling the need to experience that pain unnecessarily.)

5. The goal during childbirth, just like during in any other life event, is to glorify God and care (physically, emotionally, spiritually) for those around us. What that means will look different in different situations, but we must keep that goal in mind so we're not distracted by worldly goals like the "ideal" birth, whatever that means to us.