Praise for the little things

There are many things I am thankful for this start of a new year. My family, the ability to stay home with my little girls and my husband's willingness to be the provider for our family, a great church family.... the list goes on and on and definitely includes the "God-induced amnesia" that wipes out all detailed memory of labor and the first weeks of the newborn stage. Hard to believe that already, when I think of the events of two weeks ago, they don't seem so intense anymore. Not saying we're ready for #3 yet..... but I'm pretty close to taking back what I said to Jarrod about if we had any more kids they wouldn't come from me :)

So while I can still remember... here's what I've learned from my first two weeks of life with two-under-two:
- Babies cry. While I knew this to be true with E1, I had the ability to intervene each time she cried and now there are times when E2 cries and I just physically can't get to her right away. She's survived.
- Schedule schmedule. Just do what you can when you can. Eventually there is the possibility that both kiddos will eat/sleep at the same time and the dishes may get done within 24 hours of being used. No one's grading my time management right now.
- Siblings are a blessing. E1 is, already, so sweet and motherly to E2. If she's crying, she'll be right there with the paci or run to me to let me know E2 is upset. She shows (and shares!) her toys. Eliaya loves to be praised for being a good sister.
- Discipline still matters. While it's been so tempting to just let Eliaya do what ever and just try to mange the baby, I know E1 still needs boundaries. She's rebelled against them looking for attention, but as tiring as it is, consistency is more important now than ever.
- Coffee is my friend. Weird for me to say, I know. Having only had maybe 3 or 4 cups of coffee since nursing school, I was reluctant to pick it back up. But it was either that or be in a groggy fog all day long. I plan on cutting it out soon, but am SO thankful for the little boost it gives for now
- Have a camera ready, always! But don't think you'll actually catch most of those precious moments. If I thought catching "the moment" with one was difficult, whoa man is it more with two! Most of my pics are just "post-event", but they are still precious to me. Luckily E1 is starting to enjoy posing for pictures, so at least she looks in my general direction now :)
- Pray. Often. Hard. I feel like the Reed family can't quite catch a break. First Jarrod was sick, now he's on the mend and Eliaya seems to have caught a similar bug! So thankful for space to keep sick kids apart and germ-x to be able to love on both.
- Taking time to take care of and treat myself makes me a better momma.
And most importantly, I cannot do this alone.
I really struggled after Eliaya was born to accept help from friends/family, thinking "oh, I can do this, she's my child". While Elora is most definitely mine, I get that it takes a village. I am SOOOOO thankful for the village. Not only do I need the village, but I need time with the Lord daily. Usually a few times a day. Whether it's during an early morning feed or an afternoon nap, I need to be in the Word. Psalms have been my encouragement these past two weeks, especially Psalm 32. It talks about how blessed are those who have been forgiven by the Lord. David reflects on the agony of life with hidden sin and how it destroys joy. The Lord waits for us with open arms, ready to receive. My own selfishness stares me in the face during these first few weeks of newborn. It is so good to be reminded of the freedom that comes with confession and how the Lord provides rest, instruction, and steadfast love to those who seek Him. I pray today that I would be an example to my children and those around me of the joy that comes from walking with, and not against, the Lord.

Psalm 32: Blessed Are the Forgiven (ESV)

32 jBlessed is the one whose ktransgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord lcounts no iniquity,

and in whose spirit mthere is no deceit.

3 For when I kept silent, my nbones wasted away

through my ogroaning all day long.

4 For day and night your phand was heavy upon me;

my strength was dried up2 as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I qacknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, “I rwill confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is sgodly

offer prayer to you at a time when you tmay be found;

surely in the rush of ugreat waters,

they shall not reach him.

7 You are a vhiding place for me;

you preserve me from wtrouble;

you surround me with xshouts of deliverance. Selah

8 I will yinstruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will zcounsel you with my eye upon you.

9 aBe not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,

which must be curbed with bbit and bridle,

or it will not stay near you.

10 cMany are the sorrows of the wicked,

but steadfast love surrounds the one who dtrusts in the Lord.

11 eBe glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,

and fshout for joy, all you gupright in heart!