Blessings

This post has taken me almost two weeks.  Sorry.  Sure, I'm behind on my Thankful Thursday posts, but hey- I just had a baby.  Better late than never, says I (on blog posts, of course; the baby was early).

What an incredible time we've been having here.  I have been continually astounded at the blessings poured out on my little family in the past couple weeks (and to be honest, the entire year of 2012).

Our fourth little man arrived in as smooth a fashion as possible.  Bret gave me a blessing the evening before, in which (among other sweet things) I was promised I would heal quickly and gain my strength back quickly.  Boy have I ever!  Day 8 post surgery marked a major turning point.  I made breakfast for the big boys and then sat on the floor for a couple hours and played legos with the boys.  I was able to spend much more time on my feet without feeling like my insides were burning. 

I told Bret yesterday that it feels more like we're on vacation now instead of me convalescing. 

I had a hard time coming home.  It's rough enough to lay in a hospital and know that others are having to take over your responsibilities while you struggle to just shuffle ten feet without passing out.  It's super rough to come home and have it right in your face that you can't do pretty much anything AND you're now a burden yourself on those who are taking care of what you usually do.  I tried to keep perspective; I know that I get better and that it's a great opportunity for others to serve- a great time of growth for all involved.  But...it's also really hard to keep perspective in such situations as these, all that combined pain, hormonal roller coaster, exhaustion, etc. doesn't make for the clearest thinking.

It's getting easier, though.  And I have so many blessings to be thankful for today.

Blessings like-

Our beautiful new baby boy.  The experience with him so far is very different from the last two times.  He is easily consoled.  He eats well and has from the beginning.  He sleeps just like I expect a newborn to, and when he's awake he wants to be held but does not require continuous walking, bouncing, position changing, shushing, etc.  And he smiles so sweetly and so often in his sleep.  We are very smitten:)

Bret.  There are no words to do him justice.  Seriously, the English language is not sufficient.  I feel like every time I look at him, the love I feel for him triples.  And I can hug him again; no more side hugs!!  He's incredible and it's been a joy to see him so happy during this tiring time.

My sweet, amazing sons.  They accepted this massive change with joy and obediently (for the most part) stay quiet when they wake up before us in the mornings. 

My mom.  She's angelic.  No really, she actually is.  Put her together with my hugely fantastic father and you've got the best team ever.

My wonderful extended family and friends. 

Getting to take super hot showers again.  Christmas carols.  Losing 20+ pounds in less than two weeks.  Sitting down, standing up, and walking up and down the stairs with only an ache instead of a pain, sleeping without snoring like a 500 lb old man, sleeping for more than 20 minutes without needing to change positions, seasonal treats, family and friends bringing food, bouncy seats, scriptures, prayers, a house large enough to put the baby in his own room so the rest of us can get a bit o' sleep while he squeaks and grunts in his, the furnace keeping our house comfy and warm, the beautiful snowy landscape outside the windows, kleenex for my sick boys, sick boys coming back to health and the baby being protected so far (knock on wood), the portable heater that warms up the baby and I while I feed him in the middle of the night in the rocking chair by the window, dvd players in laptops that let my husband watch his baseball documentary while he sits up with the baby at night, the washing machine and dryer, crotchet blankets, Christmas lights and decorations in our lovely and festive home, movies with Bret, dry roads despite the snowy weather, and a zillion more things to be thankful for!

Oh, and watching my husband go out in our driveway last night and greet a friend he has not seen in something like 11 or 12 years.  It was a happy sight and sound:)

Life is so sweet right now and I am love-love-loving it!

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

As we approach the arrival of baby #4, I am battling greater anxiety and even fear.

I feel like a child, getting so scared about this.  It's embarrassing to admit, but saying it out loud helps me to work through it...so far:)

In thinking about all that's gone much better than expected this pregnancy and final month (there's lots!), I thought I'd state for this Thankful Thursday how happy I am with our health this holiday season. 

We have been uber healthy this November and December, especially considering past years.  And I am over the moon about that.

I suspect it has something to do with not being in the Nursery for church this year.  And something to do with slathering the boys feet with essential oils at night.  And mostly to do with God taking it easy on me:)

I am so glad we haven't been laid up or quarantined this year.  I am hopeful that it holds out for the foreseeable future with a tiny baby at home.

And now I just am left to wonder why sitting on this hard kitchen stool while typing this post is making my tongue go numb...pregnancy weirdness...I tell you what!

What are you thankful for today?

Lazy

Yes, I was fully aware that I had time to blog on Thursday- and didn't.

Yes, I was fully aware that I had time to make-up blog yesterday- and didn't.

Here I am today, fully aware that I have time to blog- and I just want to be lazy. 

So two days late, lazy,  and flying by the seat of my pants, here's this week's Thankful *saturday* Thursday:

I am thankful for a husband who hugs me when I lose it, doesn't think I'm crazy, wrestles with the boys, supports me, gives me breaks, works hard, smiles, and still finds me attractive in my current state.  And I am very much looking forward to receiving a priesthood blessing through him before heading in for surgery.

I am thankful for my firstborn who is so much like his parents (yay! and poor kid;)), is so obedient, jumps up when I ask for his help, is so watchful and full of concern and love for his siblings, trusts me, tries so hard to be best at everything he puts his hands and mind to, and makes me almost cry whenever I think about how lucky I am that he's growing up so sweetly and I get to be part of that process.

I am thankful for my middle-by-30-seconds son who kisses my tummy and is excited by the baby's kicks, who tries to think of ways to outwit his brothers, who (along with his twin) fills my days with conversation (often too much;)), is usually the first to wake up every morning, and takes notice of details.

I am thankful for my youngest who could give Curious George a run for his money, is wildly enthusiastic, tells me he loves me "every single time" all the time, is so observant of the little things in the world around him, makes everything into a race or contest, and thinks everything exciting is "da best _____ EVER!"

I am thankful for my soon-to-be youngest who is constantly on the move, doesn't give me heartburn, has taught me to have stronger hope and faith, and whose face profile looks ridiculously cute in the ultrasound picture on our fridge.

I am thankful for extended family, for friends, for the women I work with at church, for Jeffrey's teacher, for kind neighbors, and for my gloriously wonderful life that makes the rough times seem fleeting.

What are you thankful for today???