One Month and Twenty Minutes...

So I find my self stealing away twenty minutes through out my day.   Case in point: I am stealing twenty minutes of good sleep from myself right now by finishing this post.

However, I promised myself that I would find Twenty minutes every day to record something good about my life.  It could be something simple as just taking a picture, but I am going to find some time for me.  Even if it is just 20 minutes.

Twenty minutes somehow consecutively add up to make an entire day.  Twenty minutes to play a game, read a story or put someone to bed.  Twenty minutes to finish my hair, mop the floor or fold laundry.

The majority of my twenty minute increments goes to nursing a baby.  Most of the time that twenty minutes is doubled.  Then twenty minutes to play and change a diaper, and then twenty more to rock her to sleep.   Sometimes it is; "Hurry! she will be up in twenty minutes what needs to be done?"

I realized that when I was younger and had one and maybe even the second baby I hurried those twenty minutes along.  Today, I was grateful to sit and enjoy that time.  Rocking, thinking, looking and savoring the moments.

It was then that I realized I would rather spend my twenty minutes doing this, then folding laundry.

Isn't she beautiful.  She is one month old already.  If you think of that in twenty minute increments it seems she has been with us for so much longer.

2 Weeks Old

Where did those 2 weeks go?

 

You are starting to open your eyes more.  I am so glad because they are so beautiful.

You love to nurse, and I can tell that you are growing.

You want to be held, and want mommy to cuddle with you all the time.

You sleep really well at night.  I usually only have to get up once to feed you.  I am hoping that we drop that feeding soon.

You have a really sweet personality.  You love when we talk to you.

You only seem to cry when you want to eat, or are really tired.

We love you so much.

It seems like you have been  a part of our life forever.

Almost like I knew you before.

Jewels

 

Right after I had our first child, I went to a Doctor's appointment.  As I waited in the waiting room, I watched a young mother struggle with her four children.   I remember thinking, " I will never have kids that close together."  I believe they were 6, 4, 2 and a little one.  I was amazed and specifically remember coming home and telling Jonathan, Never!

Well never say never.

Here I sit surrounded with four of my own.  All of them 7 and under.

Today, I am grateful for the growth that I have made since that day in the waiting room.

I am grateful to know that the blessings far out weigh the work of  being a mother.  If I can remember to look for them.

I am thankful for this new little life that reminds me to stop and soak up the realities of motherhood.

So far, I have been spending my days nursing, changing diapers( I have 2 in diapers remember), and rocking a baby.

Sometimes I don't get dressed until two.  Today, I have yet to do my hair.

I am thankful when I accomplish even the smallest task.  We are slowly getting a routine down.

My sweetheart has been on Paternity leave.  He has been extremely helpful in the mornings when I am nursing and getting kids ready for school.

I am not looking forward to Monday without him. 

I also think it may be good for me.  It will help me appreciate him more.

I am slowly learning to let things go, and make time for more important things.  My standards are diminishing each day; certainly in a good way.

I am remembering to use my influence where it matters most.

I try to remember that caring for these little ones is more important than anything else.

We certainly do less, and I am striving for less distractions.

We are spending more time laughing, and living in each moment.  I know how quickly it goes.

Do I ever get frustrated?  Yes!!

Do I want to pull my hair out?  Yes!!

Do I take deep breaths? several times a day

Then....

I remember that they are a gift. 

That there is power in Motherhood, and I am the only one who can nurture and prepare them.

Jonathan and I are the only ones who can love them enough.  They are ours.  A gift from God.

We are responsible to teach them and protect them. 

They are our Jewels.   

I hope you can find one part of motherhood that makes you happy each day. It truly is the most important job we will ever be given.

"BOO"-tiful

We had a marvelous Halloween.  It was a little stressful in the beginning.

I was certainly acting a little "Witchy."

So... I thought my costume was very fitting. 

Do you know how hard it is to get 4 kids ready for Halloween?

Next year, I will start earlier.

 

Especially because every event includes a photo shoot.

I did not have near enough time for this one.

I am hoping to dress my littlest witches up for a better shoot tomorrow.

Here is my rushed shot of the baby.

Our Family pictures are to come later.  Jonathan looked great in his "Dreamy Costume."

We hope your Halloween was "spook"tacular.