The First with Three

Baby Loren is now just over one month old. It sure is amazing just how fast this month has passed, and boy, what a month it has been. The first month with a new baby is a mixture of crazy and wonderful. You're not getting any sleep, and it's what you need most. You've spent only a few weeks with this little person that you could swear you have known a lifetime. Life seems to have no rhyme or reason, and yet you are a love sick pup over this precious little baby girl. 

Since Loren was born we have seen Justin through final exams, had the flu come through our home twice, celebrated Christmas, suffered mastitis and reflux, been to the depths of despair over nursing, and the list goes on and on. No two days are the same, and every minute is full, both morning and night. Although having three kids is a lot of fun, it is busy!.. and I have often wondered just how I am going to do this. ?? 

I am sure it gets easier with time, but I must admit I found comfort in some of Miley's recent drawings. They seemed fitting for such a stressful and exhausting, yet wonderful and precious time in our lives. These drawings were also extra special coming from my little girl Miley, who has gone through a stage we have struggled with lately. If a child's drawings say anything about how they are feeling or doing inside, then I would say we have nothing to worry about based off of what we have here...

Miley explained the person at the top of the page is Heavenly Father, the blue underneath him is the sky. Our family then sits above the earth (in green) at the bottom of the page. She drew these when Loren was about 2 weeks old. I love how she drew all of us, and included the baby in our family. So precious to and comforting to me. These drawings were all too sweet, and I caught her drawing Heavenly Father watching over our family many more times. I have to believe there is great truth to that. Clearly, little children can see things as they are, much better than we can. 

No doubt our blessings have been great this month, and we have every reason to count them daily. Although new, and sometimes hard, these days are full of my life's richest joys! I am starting to see more and more just how much we truly have been watched over. 

The kids both adore Loren. I thought as the weeks passed on, the novelty of a new baby might wear off, but so far their love and obsession over her has only increased. Miley loves to call baby Loren "baby sissy, honey bunny, and little sweetie pie." Scotlin gave her a nickname too, and so lovingly calls her his "little tiny tomato."
They both are in awe of her every little baby feature. They giggle when she grunts, and rush to her side if she makes the slightest cry.

Loren is adjusting to her new world. We have loved having her sweet presence in our home. I feel it is truly an honor and privilege to get to know her, and be in the service of taking care of her each day. We know just how quickly time can fly, so we are doing our best to enjoy every minute, and every ounce of this baby girl.