As I begin to emerge from the fog that has been our lives over the first month, I can't help but be in a continual state of thankfulness. Thankful for the gift of life, little Olivia's specifically. Thankful for the gift of children the Lord has entrusted us with. Thankful for the MANY people who have served us by bringing meals (literally we only had to cook a couple of times during the first month!). Thankful for my mom who served and cared for us all. Thankful that in the midst of tiredness, we are finding much joy. Thankful for so many thoughtful gifts given. Thankful for encouraging reminders of God's love and grace toward us.
Just THANKFUL!
Olivia is the typical newborn. She sleeps, eats, well you know! She likes to be near mama, doesn't mind the VERY loud sounds her brother and sister create (in fact sleeps right through it amazingly!), beginning to hold her head up and has very strong arms and legs (which makes diaper changes a bit challenging). She gained weight like a champ this month, putting on nearly two pounds in the first couple weeks of life! Haven't weighed her since her two week appointment, but I'll guess she's pushing nine pounds. Starting to fit less in newborn sizes and movin on up to the next sizes. It's fun to see her in some of Karis' old outfits and some very cute new ones that people have blessed us with. It's fun to have a girl again to put bows in her hair and get all dolled up on the few times we've gone out in public. She eats a couple times at night and occasionally let's us have a three and a half to four hour stretch of sleeping. She likes when I sing to her (and Karis too) and calms down quickly if crying when we sing usually. Can't get enough of her and glad she's in our lives. Big sister and big brother are adjusting ok...Isaac is just happy to hug, kiss or hold Olivia whenever possible and is learning to be gentle with her. Karis asks why she sleeps so much and wants to hold her often. We try to encourage their interaction with Olivia as much as is possible so that they can bond with her. With three kiddos it's been an adjustment for Steve and I too - and to quote my brother in law, we basically went from "man on man to zone defense"! Great advice coming from a man who went from two to four kids (with the addition of our twin nephews in their family last year). It's a little more busy around here, takes more planning and preparation, and I'm learning how to better give myself (and others) grace upon grace. I wouldn't trade it for anything! Oh and I took up knitting this past month, by that I mean I've had a few lessons from my mom and working through making my first project, so by Christmas I may have one washcloth made! Haha
On to pictures of Olivia, check out these cheeks - for all you who have bigger babies, this may look small, but we call this chunk in our house ;)
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| I didn't find one of my mom with all three, but here she is with Karis and Isaac |
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| mom jumped right in changing diapers! |
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| Olivia getting late night snuggles with Grandma and giving mommy a break from holding her all the time |
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| 1 month |
Here we come month two...and hoping for more sleep!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MONTH TWO ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More sleep did happen in month TWO and for that everyone was thankful. As momma I'm still not feeling so rested because subconsciously I think my mind is still concerned for the well being of the baby across the house (in her own room now that guests have left). Hopefully I will begin to feel more rested soon, especially since she's sleeping stretches from 5-9 hours at a time...Hello, thank you Olivia!
-she likes to smile and coo at us and easily does so for mommy, daddy, brother and sister, but tends to be a little more stingy on the smiles to others.
-she cracks us up when she holds her fists tight. Even though the pediatrician says it's just normal part of development, we always say she's getting ready to fight her brother and sister...ahh the third child!
-she weighs in at 9lbs, 8oz and just under 22 inches. I looked back at Karis and Isaac's weight/height at 2 months and Olivia is our smallest of the three at 2 months! We have little bits and we love them so much!
-she LOVES to be strapped in the carrier on momma (which happens quite frequently as I'm caring for the older two kiddos) but has started to sleep really well for naps in her own bed.
-Olivia got to meet her Grammy and Grandpa during month two, and they stayed for three weeks to help out around the house, cook, clean and care for kiddos. They also allowed me to get lots of naps and Steve and I both to get an occasional sleep in morning. And I can't forget to mention the many afternoon Starbucks trips to caffeinate this tired mama!
-Olivia doesn't much care for car rides, so we've stayed home bound a lot and that's ok, especially as I'm learning how to care for three kiddos on my own. Although at her two month check up, the doctor said to put a piece of my clothing (that I had recently worn) in her carseat with her and it would help...what do you know it did! Here's to hoping we're turning a corner in being in the car.
Enjoy a few pics from month TWO...
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| Gigi got to meet Olivia |
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| Jeannine (and her helper) doing dishes, such a big help to have extra hands |
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| We managed a picture of Grammy and Grandpa with the kiddos, Isaac is not thrilled because he wasn't feeling well :( |
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| Olivia meeting Nana |
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| Olivia at 2 months |
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| all smiles |
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| Got her fists up as always |
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