early weeks at home

Anytime our friends send us pictures of their newborns, I take the opportunity to share our congratulations as well as to encourage them to "enjoy the precious early weeks" with a new baby at home.  I've always remembered that period as a unique opportunity to really slow down, spend quality time with loved ones, soak in the reality of the miraculous new life in our midst, and take the time to adjust our schedules and our lives to include our newest member.  And now with Jacob's arrival into our family, we've once again had the chance to cherish this special time ourselves.

There's just something about those first few weeks at home when everyone in the family is getting to know the baby

and the baby is getting to know everyone as well.

And of course there are so very many changes in the baby himself in the first few weeks.

It always means a lot to be able to share this wonderful time with extended family.  My parents' retirement last summer has freed up their schedule in a way that we've not experienced with the birth of our other children.  It's been a source of much joy to watch them enjoy their grandkids in such a meaningful way.  We look forward to spending time with my husband's family in the coming months as well.

And somehow my usually very busy and world-traveling sisters were both home at the time of Jacob's arrival, so they, too, were able to spend some great quality time with our whole growing gang. 

I think that having so much support has made the transition to a family of six easier not only for me, but for the kids as well.  I've been astounded at how readily all three "big" kids have warmly welcomed baby Jacob into the fold.  Every day each of them clamors to have a turn holding the baby.  They are fascinated with Jacob and ask questions that often stump both my husband and me ("will his eyes stay blue or gray?"  "how far can he see?"  "what is he thinking right now?").  And while they all love him dearly, Caroline is our child who expresses her affection and admiration most clearly.  Several times she has exclaimed with such beautiful sincerity that "I'm so glad we have this baby in our family!  I just love him SO much!"

And while I know from experience that the months and years will continue to fly by faster than I can imagine, for now we will try to slow time down.  We'll take lots of pictures and sit in amazement at how (much more) rich and beautiful our lives have become with Jacob's arrival.  We'll relish the sweetness of this tiny person who has been gifted to us from above.  We'll appreciate with wonder how each child in our family shares so much in common with the others, yet at the same time is so incredibly unique and distinct.  

And every day we will thank our Father in heaven for the gifts of life and of family and of amazing grace that we have never and will never be able to earn on our own.

From the fullness of his grace we have all received

 one blessing after another.

John 1:16