3 Weeks Thankful

How do I count the ways?

• My littlest baby is three weeks old tomorrow and he’s perfectly healthy and beautiful (besides a weird outie belly button and a pair of cross-eyes but only I’m allowed to say that because I’m his mother. You should say he’s adorable).

• Yesterday I survived an extra long day alone with the boys. Chris had to work late so I went all the way through dinner and bedtime alone. And we all made it! There were definitely some moments of weakness: a Janet Jackson-esque wardrobe malfunction while I was breastfeeding at the park, the breakdown Brooksie had when he wouldn’t stop wailing at the same park and I tried to force August into his stroller without crying, the three final hours before Chris got home in which baby Brooks wouldn’t stop crying and I played cars with August while bouncing and bouncing and bouncing. But, in the midst of all those things, I felt like I was being prayed for, being given some extra peace. I didn’t go crazy and I think August still feels loved. (Most of the time.)

• My husband is the world’s best swaddler and baby bouncer. I’m thankful for him, especially at 3 in the morning.

• Today when I called my pediatrician (who I secretly wish would be my best friend…she’s so pretty and fun and wears super cute clothes!) to ask about Brooksie’s apparent reflux, she was actually calling me at the same time, just to check in. It’s so wonderful to feel cared for.

• Speaking of feeling cared for, we’ve been receiving meals from lovely church friends for longer than a week now and it is the most beautiful thing ever. I keep thinking that bringing a meal to someone has to be one of the most generous, simple things we can do. It’s so wonderfully old fashioned. There’s so little we can do for each other that is as necessary and immediate as a meal. I’m going to remember that…

• I’m thankful that I’m not allowed to work out yet. What a blessing that I don’t have to feel guilty about the physical exercise I’m not doing (or the amount of chocolate I’m consuming).

• I’m thankful for these first few weeks. I know they go by so quickly and then, suddenly, my baby won’t be a newborn anymore. I may be trying to stay afloat but I’m also trying to be peaceful about absorbing all the beauty of these weeks before my baby grows up and starts screaming “No!” at me. Not that I know what that’s like.

Happy Thankful Tuesday! What are you thankful for?