Two weeks ago we added the most amazing, most precious, most absolutely delightful addition to our family- Mercy Elizabeth. She of course is the main attraction around here and the kids cannot get enough!
It's so strange...I know that 3 and half years isn't that much of an age gap in retrospect but for some reason I feel like Mercy is light years younger than the others. It must be because I had the other three so close together that now she and my youngest (Ezekiel) seem SO far apart!
That being said, there are some things that I forgot about newborns...or just chose to block out. :)
1. It's sleep deprivation at its finest. I think all moms must block out the lack of sleep and zombie like state that we walk in when we have newborns...otherwise, I'm not sure how we could want more.
2. Having a newborn makes you want to do nothing else but stare into their little beady eyes, and therefore, not getting anything else done.
3. "So when are you due?" Yup, I still look at least 5 months pregnant. *sigh* I think I must have blocked that one out too...note to self: actually having the baby does NOT mean that you will look like you still don't have a baby cooking in there.
4. I begin to talk like I am fluent in a new language that no-1 but me and tiny little people can understand. (ie.. "Ohhh you sweet little thing! That's right...it's your mommy...." then preceding to make bird coos and other sounds unknown to the rest of the human race.) this of course would fine until you realize that you just spoke this new language to the Target cashier.
5.You begin to experience what cows must feel like....enough said. :)
But besides all that, life is great! haha
Ezekiel definitely is having the hardest time adjusting to Mercy. He absolutely adores her but he can definitely tell that something has shifted, even if his little 3 year old self can't quantify what it is. He comes home from preschool and won't leave my side. "Mommy, play with me....mommy, sit with me...mommy, don't fold laundry.." and then repeat that 30 times a day. I have been trying to be very intentional about setting aside time with him and I think I feel, even today, that he was starting to feel a little more secure in mommy's love. :)
Annabella of course is in mommy heaven! I've had to scold her a few times for trying to pick her up and carry her around like a doll (hard wood floors+newborn+ inexperienced baby holder...yikes!). She has also learned the new "language" of talking to babies and is quite fluent in it as well. I have to remind her that she can talk normal because Mercy is asleep :) It's so cute though watching her talk to Mercy when no-1 is watching..."Oh little Mercy, one day your gonna be big enough and were gonna have lots of tea parties together and I'm gonna introduce you to my two best friends, Ana and Leah, and then all four of us can be best friends!!!!" **melts my heart** :))
Malachi is definitely the biggest surprise. I mean, I knew that he was going to be excited about her and that he would love her....but I had NO idea that he would adore her this much!! :) The other two kids will try to wake her up and put hats on her and make her "clap" her hands....but Malachi is perfectly content just holding onto her hand and stroking her hair and singing her a song. When she is in her swing, he will just sit and watch her and will protect her from any intruders (Ezekiel..haha).
Charlie and I, of course, are in love. She truly is such a picture of mercy!! As I look into her eyes I really do feel like God is speaking his mercy over our family and over the body of Christ! Being in a season where life can be really tough at times, I am forced to cry out to the Lord for His mercy daily...and she is such a sweet reminder that His mercy is new EVERY morning!!!!
P.S You can see pictures on my other blog: http://www.photographybyfrances.com/blog/
