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.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.

Psalm 127:4-5

     

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