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July 02, 2008
Thoughts from Mommy of Two
The Babe sleeps peacefully with a full belly, and Peter just headed upstairs with Natalie suggesting that I use the time to blog. I've been meaning to for days, but lately it's a challenge to do more than the basic needs. :) So sweet to have a few quiet moments to get some thoughts down about this very special time.
Hard to believe that we've been a family of four for a week and a half already. Seems just yesterday (but also eons ago) that my belly was huge and my feet were poofy (they look so pretty and dainty to me now even though I know they're not!), I was scurrying around the house finishing little odds and ends and wondering when the big moment would be.
Now we have met our sweet Charlotte Martha, who, like Natalie, was thought by many to be a boy. Now Peter is totally surrounded by estrogen but totally thrilled. God has blessed me with a good delivery, a healthy baby, a smooth recovery, and wonderful family and friends to take care of us in this time of adjustment and little sleep. :)
It amazes me again how a baby can put things so quickly into perspective and slow life down. I feel like I'm in a bit of a time warp lately. Our schedule revolves around Charlotte's, and we are reduced to the basics as we care for her basic needs and get to know her. This means we are tolerating a new level of filth in the house :), but also has made for wonderful times of just being together because, well, we don't really have the energy for anything else :)
Yes, we've had some little outings, and it is good to have little ventures into the outside world and visits from friends. And I'm still thrilled with the small cleaning or organizing task that I might accomplish each day as energy increases. But I'm really savoring the just BEING, and I know what a good discipline that is for my task-oriented personality. Thank you, Lord.
I want to say too, although he's not great on receiving compliments, how amazing Peter has been these past couple of weeks, taking care of his three girls. It's not easy keeping a house-full of women happy :), and there's nothing like watching your spouse in a new role to make you fall more head-over-heels in love.
He was my strength and comfort in birth. While I was in the hospital being taken care of, he was running Natalie around and kept the house clean so that I could come home to peaceful surroundings. He has taken on lots of "woman's work" while I recover and rest, sacrificing his own needs for sleep and down-time. He helps with Charlotte's care so that I can have some moments to take care of me. He loves the challenge of figuring her out and is so intuitive and sensitive to her needs.
He has been gentle and loving and present for Natalie, keeping her routine as normal as possible and giving her extra attention to ease a tough transition. This has deepened the bond between them in a way that neither of us had anticipated. She gives him so much spontaneous affection lately that I get to feeling a little jealous, but I'm so thankful for the new opportunity for closeness they've had. I just pray that I can maintain and grow she and I's relationship as I take on Charlotte's needs.
Well, I think that's as much as my tired brain can formulate. More to come. We love you all so much! Thanks for all the fun comments, cards, gifts, meals and prayers. It means SO MUCH.
Posted by Shannon at July 2, 2008 08:25 PM
Comments
Love you all! Shan, you are an inspiration and I hope to be half as good of a mother as you are.
Posted by: Esther at July 3, 2008 08:36 AM
Oh Shannie! Sooo happy that you all are so happy! It's such a filled to overflowing emotion, isn't it? Finding the rhythm of your "new" family unit, watching your husband fall in love with another baby and yet making sure that your oldest's love tank remains just as filled, watching him nurturing and caring for you, receiving the love and support from all of your friends and family etc. etc. etc.....makes ya kinda wanna just keep on havin' em!
Posted by: kevame@verizon.net at July 3, 2008 02:26 PM
Oh gosh, I have the feeling when I am married and have babies I will cry at the drop of a hat. I was about to cry just reading this. :-P
Posted by: Kelse at July 5, 2008 10:34 PM
Charlotte is beautiful. Shannon and Peter, I am so glad for you that you have these two dear little girls. God is so good. I lhave two great grandchildren. Wow! Gaod bless all of you.
Posted by: Mommom at July 6, 2008 01:55 PM
Heck yeah this is eaxtcly what I needed.
Posted by: Butterfly at January 4, 2012 11:59 PM
How neat! Is it really this spilme? You make it look easy.
Posted by: Micheal at January 7, 2012 12:09 AM