Love OverPowers: happy one month, jacob!

The minutes and hours sometimes seem to creep by in my sleep-deprived state, but it's hard to believe that this little guy has been here for one month already.

At other times, it feels as if he's always been right here with us.

In just these 31 short days, we've had the chance to watch his personality begin to shine through––and so far, he is by all accounts an incredibly sweet and calm baby. He loves all the love he gets from his big sibs. He enjoys just hanging out in his swing and taking in all the happy chaos of this loud and lively family...and has demonstrated that he can sleep through just about anything. When he is hungry, however, there's not a set of lungs stronger or a cry louder than that of our little guy. He's got determination and strength that I trust (and hope) will someday benefit him and those whom he cares for.

Also in this first month, he's experienced a number of "firsts."

first introductions (and love at first sights)

first kisses

first heart-to-heart talks

first bottle given by this sweet big sis...

...and by this one

first bath (foggy because of the steam in the bathroom––for added warmth :)

first time holding his paci (which, i'm afraid, is not going to stick...need to find a lovie!)

and most recently, first smile!!

And lest I forget, it's not been all perfect or blissful. Our first few weeks were spent trying to get some semblance of a schedule with a baby who seemed most alert and hungry throughout the night and was the soundest sleeper when the sun was up––which made for a very tired mommy. And though we had begun homeschooling in early August so that we could take some time off after Jacob's arrival, we still did have three very active kiddos at home all day long. Add to that the fact that Jacob didn't quite return to his birthweight by his two week checkup. This is not a huge deal for most normal people, and I would have said as much if I were counseling a new mom faced with the same situation. But if I'm going to be completely honest, I took it as a small failure on my part, since I am his sole source of calories and had been tasked in those first two weeks with little else than the care and nutrition of this precious new life. Anyway, with some commitment and a whole lot of prayer, he regained his needed weight (and then some) in just a few days and continues to be a champ at feeding now. Lastly, we are still trying to figure out if all the spit-up and occasional cries of discomfort are just plain old newborn spit-up, or if Jacob is following the lead of all of his sibs and beginning to contend with true reflux.

All that being said, however, the last few days have brought a much more reasonable schedule. Jacob is sleeping for 3-4 hours at a time during the night, waking only twice to feed (the second awakening happening as late as 5 or 6 am––a most acceptable time for me). This has led to my energy level {and my ability to think and speak coherently} at least approaching normal and giving us all a chance to enjoy our days more fully. Jacob is also alert for longer stretches during the day, which gives the big kids many more opportunities to play with/love on/hold him. And just as I've begun to be fully in charge of the gang (with Daddy back at work and extended family back at home), my big kids have pitched in to help in ways that astound me everyday. What awesome little people I get to spend my days with!

And, just for memory's sake, here's how our little man has grown over the course of his first month...

one week old

two weeks old

three weeks old

four weeks old

It's hard to imagine that just a few months ago, the idea of four kids seemed more than a little overwhelming...fear of the unknown, I guess. And now our life feels like the most natural and good and wonderful thing, and just the way that we are meant to be. Thank God, truly.