I heard about a study on the radio the other day which "discovered" that women are better multitaskers than men. Duh!! Some one really funded a study to find that? Those were my first thoughts. But, to prevent myself from getting too big of a head, let me share one of my recent, shall we say, mishaps with trying to do too much at once.
So Eliaya needed to expend energy and get cleaned off, so I grabbed all the stuff to give her a bath while Elora was napping. (Multitask #1). About halfway through, Elora wakes up. So, being the somewhat over confident mom I am, I decided to get E2 and put her in the tub with E1 (multitask #2). So after collecting child and needed stuff we were prepped for the first sister-time bath. Eliaya was thrilled and such a good helper, gently pouring water on Elora. Feeling quite smug, I finished washing soap out of both girls hair and heard an all too familiar grunting eminating from the younger Reed. Before I had time to react, bubbles and a thin yellow stream of sticky "poopoo" had contaminated the tub. Eliaya backs up, points and yells "no touch!"
Frantically, I sweep kiddos out of the water and lay them on towels. Luckily, the "baby mess", as Eliaya called it, did not get on anyone... too much. After everyone was dressed and happy again, I headed back to the tub to scrub it out. I couldn't help but laugh, both at Eliaya's reaction and my attempts to metaphorically kill two birds with one stone. So while women may indeed be better multitaskers than men, we (myself for sure) are by no means perfect at it.
Note to self...remember to share this story with Eliaya's future husband..... :)
Friday, January 10, 2014
Thursday, January 2, 2014
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.
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)
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Not By the Books
She's here! FINALLY!
Recap...
I was already a nervous wreck, being past my due date and looking like labor was no where in sight. I (semi)joked that this kiddo would just stay in until she started kindergarten. Throughout pregnancy, I wasn't really affected by my being a labor and delivery nurse- wasn't super anxious or concerned about the "what if"s. But all that changed when my due date came and went with no baby. I had a hard time thinking about anything other than 'what if she gets too big?? what if she can't tolerate labor?' - it was a vicious cycle. So, as you can imagine, I was thrilled when contractions started Wednesday evening during dinner.
We packed big E's bag and sent her to grandma's and Jarrod and I prepped for laboring through the night (He's convinced that babies never come at normal hours). Things were moving along, albeit slowly. We watched a movie and tried to drift off to sleep. Around 5am, I decided that I was ready to go in to the hospital, not so much because baby was coming soon but for needing a change of scenery.
Get there, checked in and settled. Contractions start spacing out.... weird. Still coping well and doing what I can to keep labor moving along. In the back of my mind I think "ok, get her out by lunchtime and I can send Jarrod for panera... that sounds so good!". Little did I know what was in store...
-Side note: Theoretically, first time labor is anywhere from 18-24 hours. Eliaya was about 14-15, lucky me. Most people cut that time in half for their second labor. So, all pregnancy long I had been prepping myself for a 8-10 hour max process. Doable. End in sight.
Okay, so lunchtime comes and ..... still pregnant. No progress, really, since 8am. Very weird. Weirder still is that contractions have near halted..... and stay halted for HOURS. The book says that's not supposed to happen. Discouraged, I take a nurse up on the offer to try accupressure. Let me tell you... I didn't put much stock in it before, mostly from lack of exposure, but I do now! That finally got things going again around 3pm (so much for panera for dinner....) and I was hopeful Elora would make her debut soon. Then comes 6pm.... still no baby. Still no real change. Worry creeps in stronger by the minute. Having done labor unassisted till this point, I nervously think about interventions and medication. Will they be necessary? Is this kiddo gonna fit? I am spent. Utterly exhausted. My (hindsight idolized) plan is quickly fleeting. My nurse, a good friend of mine, suggests using an IV medication to take the edge off for a bit and help me relax. I did this with Eliaya and afterwards she was ready to come. 45 minutes of near bliss. Not sure what I said during those 45 minutes, but it was a much needed break. Check again... still no labor progress. I've gone long past worry and into frantic at this point (revealing my sin tendencies entirely, and it didn't help that I'd been up for near 40 hours at this point). I know I need an epidural and medication to help labor along if I want to avoid a c-section. But ooohhh.... the fear. Jarrod, who had been my strong rock for sure up to this point, literally came to my rescue, sitting by me praying and helping me focus through each difficult contraction. We agree to go ahead with the epidural ,getting all the necessary medicines and prep work as fast as possible. As soon as we're ready.... I get the news that there has been an emergency on the floor and both the anesthesiologist and my OB are stuck in the OR. It will be 15-20 minutes before I can get the epidural. Again, I start to panic. I has braced myself for just a few more contractions before getting some relief and wasn't sure I had the strength to make it any longer. I felt like there was no doable option. Seeing my frantic face, my nurse and husband stood me up (contractions are usually easier to deal with this way). Just a minute or so later and BAM! I had to push. Anyone who has had an unmedicated delivery knows the sensation I'm talking about. You almost get primal. It's like every cell in your body is solely focused on one thing.. pushing.
Sure enough... Elora picks the one time when the MD can't be there to make her debut! After just a few pushes, my RN friends caught little E and the pain was over. Praise the Lord, she's here. She's healthy. She's a peanut! Tears flow and praises utter from my mouth to the Lord. I can't remember if they were voiced or not, but I know He carried me.
For labor with Eliaya, I memorized John 16:21, and it has so much more meaning to me now.
When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
This time was harder. Longer. I'm sure I said crazy things (one of which was telling Jarrod if he wanted any more they wouldn't be coming from me). But I'm so glad it went the way it did. I learned more about relying on the Lord, being vulnerable with my husband, and the blessing of being a mom in those 24 hours of labor than I had through any other ordeal.
So in short, don't listen to "the books" and what they say should happen. The Lord is sovereign and knew exactly what I needed to experience to break my idol of self-sufficiency, to show me how strong He is, to show me immense patience so I can show it to others, and to how to give a special gift. I write this all down, not so much because I think any one will find it all that interesting, but I want to remember what the Lord has done for me. I want to be able to reflect on times where I know, beyond any doubt, that He carried me. That being said, if you did read this story... thanks for letting me share. I hope that you are encouraged to trust Him through all circumstances, especially the difficult ones.
Now here are some pics of the little piglet (as she's affectionately called):
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