Redefining Normal

This phrase just keeps echoing in my mind. This is the week I go back to work. Our life with 3 kids will look drastically different then what it has for the past 6 weeks. My thoughts and emotions are going crazy. There is a lot of fear and anxiety. I know that I need to trust in the Lord and pursue Him passionately, unfortunately right now there are moments where the fear takes over and I can't see past the circumstances. I am fearful of:

~not pursuing the Lord and thinking that I can get by on my own "strength"
~not loving my husband the way I desire to (and the way I should)
~not being a good mom
~losing friendships because I don't feel like I have a lot of extra time to spend with others
~letting my students down (as well as co-workers)
~running my body into the ground

I feel like the list could go on and on. Even with the anxiety I have about what this week might bring, there is absolutely no question that I love our little family and wouldn't change anything about our family. All three kiddos have brought so much joy to our lives. They have taught me about myself and more about God than I ever would have thought at their young ages. I am so thankful for the "extra" moments I have been able to spend with them lately. My prayer is this....that I will press in to the Lord, love Christian well, cherish my moments I have with the kids and that I will find my joy in the Lord only. So now it begins

Elijah is 1 month old!

We are absolutely loving our littlest one! He is complete joy to be around, just look at that smirk. Hudson and Parker love being around him and loving on him. Elijah is one big boy. He is a great eater and we are working on the sleeping (it's not horrible, but who wouldn't want more sleep).

so far...
~he is very laid back
~smiles
~is very strong, however I don't think he is quite as anxious to move around as his brother and sister were
~he gets kissed by Hudson and Parker all day long

Newborn Pictures

Taken by Allison Duckworth - eleventhirtysix images. We are so thankful for the way she captured our little one.

3 kids and a Christmas tree

Our Christmas was a little different this year since Elijah made his debut a few days before. We had a great time with the kids.....talked about the birth of Jesus and opened gifts - Hudson was so excited about every gift, including his underwear! Later in the day we went over to Christian's parents and spent some time with his family. It was a low key but great way to celebrate

Kid comparison

Here they are around 3 weeks!
Hudson

Parker

Elijah

Elijah is HERE!!!!!

Elijah arrived Tuesday Dec 21st at 1:24 am. We headed to the hospital Monday night around 9p and then spent an hour walking around the hospital to see if I was really in labor - as frustrating as this was, I am very thankful that I got to spend that hour walking instead of just staying in a bed. My friend Allison joined us at the hospital to photograph the birth. I am so thankful for her support and encouragement during the delivery and I can't wait to see more of her pics (the pics posted are not hers, but you can check out her work here )

After walking for an hour (around 10:45p), I had progressed enough for them the admit me to the hospital. My doctor had just returned from NY, so she was able to be there. She is an unbelievable dr and I am so thankful for her and her support for me to have an unmedicated VBAC. The nurse I had was also phenomenal and extremely supportive. I'll leave out the details...but at 1:24 am after 10 min or so of pushing Elijah arrived! He was a whopping 8lbs 5 oz (a full pound more than Hudson) and as healthy as can. We are so glad he is finally here.

The last few weeks (pre Elijah)

The first few weeks of December was a great mix of having lots of things going on as well as having some great down time. While we were anxiously awaiting Elijah's arrival...... We painted Christmas ornaments
danced and played silly games
and took lots of trips to the park.