Light at Home: November 2015

Baby Boy is 2 Months Old!

Posted by My Heart Song

11/30/2015

This little guy is not so little any more.

He's 2 months old and weighs almost 14 pounds!

He's got chubby cheeks now.

Here he is in the nursery at our homeschool co-op alongside a newborn. Nothing like a tiny baby to make him look huge!

This is a shot of one of his first smiles. I love it when babies start smiling back at you... it feels like a reward for all of the hard work it is to care for them. He is just now starting to settle into a routine, so life is settling into a new normal for all of us.

He's received so many cute outfits as gifts. I've enjoyed seeing him in his new outfits, like this one, as well as in some of those I'd saved from his big brother. A walk down memory lane...

I've noticed that we are not taking as many pictures this time around. Need to change that and make sure we capture more of his milestones and precious moments on "film" as I know that my memory is too overloaded to remember them all!

We sure love you, Little Man, and are loving watching you change and grow!

PS: Just for fun, here's a shot of his older brother at this age. See any resemblance? I sure do!

0 comments

Embracing Motherhood

Posted by My Heart Song

11/16/2015

This week I've been thinking about motherhood.

I'm a mother to 7 children - 4 on earth and 3 in heaven. Being a mom is hard work. Lots of people comment to me now "You have your hands full!" This is true. But I like to respond with "Yes and my heart is full too."

I love kids and I love my kids.

This week I had a follow-up appointment with my midwife. In the course of our debriefing of life with my baby, she heard my relaxed tone. She saw me respond to my baby when he needed to be nursed. She heard me when I told her that I am sleep-deprived, but I know this will pass soon enough.

She then paid me quite a compliment. She said that she loved that I was embracing my role as a mom. She loved that I was cherishing the moments with my newborn rather than wishing them away for the sake of my convenience or sleep or career. She had tears in her eyes when she spoke of how few patients truly embrace mothering or seem to enjoy their role as mom.

How sad, I thought, that this is the case. How sad because most of these other women are missing out on one of God's greatest gifts - the beautiful moments of mothering.

I know that our culture de-values the role of a mother.

But I also know that God's Word is the opposite, giving honor to the role of mom. And I know from my own experience how fulfilled I am when I embrace my role as a mother and wife. I am not seeking any other career. My children are and will be my masterpiece. They are eternal souls that are worth my time and effort, worth my literal blood, sweat and tears.

And so here I am, with my four living children. I'm so tired that I could sleep for a week and not be caught up. I don't get a chance to shower as much as I'd like and my clothes constantly have spit-up stains. I am juggling homeschool read-alouds with my 7th grader, spelling lists with my 2nd grader, filling juice cups for my toddler and nursing my son around the clock.

And yet these days are fleeting. I am being poured out.

My life is being spent as I embrace mothering.

And rather than be bitter at whatever "sacrifices" I have had to make, I rejoice in the privilege and opportunity to be a mother to these special people.

0 comments

My Toddler Girl

Posted by My Heart Song

11/6/2015

My toddler. She's just under 2 years old now.

Such a sweet girl she is.

It's been a rough transition (as we expected) as we have welcomed baby brother home. This girl is wanting more attention than we have to give her. Big sister has had to step in many times to hold her and love on her in my stead.

She loves "hide and seek" in the hutch.

Here she is helping do some baking in the kitchen.

This is Aunt Sheila showing her some loving.

She really enjoys books. Daddy tries to read to her each night before bed. She soaks it in!

We love you so much, Rosebud!

0 comments

My Sillies

Posted by My Heart Song

11/5/2015

I've posted a few silly shots of my kids the last few days and today there are even more to share :-)

My 12 year old daughter has taught my toddler girl how to make silly faces. Lovely, I know!

My littlest girl looking so sweet and silly in her pink sunglasses. Always makes me smile when I see her in those glasses!

One day the two oldest dressed up as airline stewards, wearing vests. They were very serious for these pictures, as being a steward is very serious business!

Soon they will outgrow this phase and be so embarrassed by their silliness. So I am trying to soak up these days of childhood innocence and playfulness.

The fun side of parenting!

0 comments

My Oldest Girl

Posted by My Heart Song

11/4/2015

My oldest daughter. She's 12.

She's grown up a whole lot in the last 2 years, since welcoming little sister to our family. She has become my right-hand helper with her little sister. She's the babysitter. She is the hair dresser. She's the book reader. She's the cleaner upper. She's the entertainer. She's the one I ask at least a hundred times a day to bring me this or check on that.

She's also super silly. One day she took my baby wrap, turned it into a turban and took these selfies with my phone, for me to discover later. So funny.

Another silly one with little sister, left on my phone.

She's also beautiful and turning into quite the young lady. I'm so proud of her and the responsibility she's showing.

We sure love you, Bright Eyes!

0 comments

My Oldest Boy

Posted by My Heart Song

11/3/2015

Just because I found a few pictures of this boy on my camera and they are too cute not to share.

Such a handsome young man he is, even with his mischievous grin!

This boy of mine is probably very typical, but as my oldest boy he challenges my parenting skills. He's so active and physical and well, wild! I'm constantly wondering how best to discipline him, what to let slide as just boy behavior and not necessarily intentional, pain-inflicting hurting of others. Of course, other times he surprises me with sweet acts of kindness and tenderness towards others. He has always had a sweet spot for babies, so he's very tender with new baby brother. And, as expected, he can't wait until little brother can throw a ball or wrestle with him!

And a few more of our portraits that were recently taken.

He drives me crazy, yet I love him so. Absolutely cannot imagine our family without this boy!

0 comments

Baby Boy is 1 Month Old

Posted by My Heart Song

11/2/2015

My baby boy is already passing the newborn phase.

His first month is over and he's moving on,

growing just as he should.

First walk around the neighborhood. We have had beautiful warm weather that afforded us opportunities for many walks during this month.

Sporting a cute-as-a-button hat.

First bath at home.

My toddler helping hold baby. She tries to help in lots of ways with baby - bringing me things I need, always on the look-out for his pacifier or blanket. She repeats his name over and over.