We're alive and kicking

First a comment on my google reader. How do I know that I am subscribed to waaaaaay too many blogs--I have over 500 unread posts. It's time to clean it out, don't you think?

Second, I am getting a full dose of infanthood over here in Alabama, and let me just say, it's all coming back to me. The endless crying, the lack of sleep, the frustration over not knowing exactly what your baby wants or needs. Let me also just say that I am not deterred in the least. Lord, please, let me be a mama again. This is what I think about those early months--months one through three to be exact, you just have to hold your nose, close your eyes, and jump, and just when you think you can't hold your breath any longer, you rise to the surface and you have survived. And your baby is smiling and cooing, and sleeping longer than two hours at a time. You do get there one day. Because on top of the crying (screaming may be a more appropriate term) I have also been reminded of the newborn smell and the way they stretch and curl their bodies when you pick them up, as if they are still tucked into the womb. And those fingers and toes. Oh man, I can't get enough. I repeat, Lord, please, let me be a mama again. And give me the grace to survive everyday of it, even the ones that feel unsurvivable.

In the mean time, Ada is still choosing to hit and scream and throw tantrums, but she and Ellie do seem to be getting along better than ever before, and I was about to die to pick her up today when we had only been apart for two nights. It's the paradox of motherhood--I desperately need a break, and then I am desperate to get back to her when we are apart. No matter how many times she hits me in the face (most definitely on purpose) she is still my precious girl, and we will figure this out and get to the other side--just like we figured out nursing and sleeping and living life during those first few months of her life. I suppose every stage will bring some thing that will cause me to cry out to God for grace and strength and wisdom. And I am so thankful that he has promised mercies that are new every morning.

Checking In

I am here and alive, and this is me, not my mother;) This is the second time my mom has accidentally posted on my blog. The first time we just deleted it, but I thought everyone might enjoy all the Andrew pictures, so I decided to leave it and give you a taste of my mom. You can check out her blog here.

Anyway, I am back in McDonough after driving all day yesterday and tutoring all last night. It was nice to wake up facing a normal day at home. And I do mean at home. There is no way Ada and I are getting out in that cold if I don't have to!! (Though I do have to tutor some students tonight, so I will be driving to their homes).

It was so much fun to be there as Andrew entered the world. It was crazy!! Ann pushed once, and we saw his head. She pushed again, and he was here. Crazy, crazy. And he only weighed 7 lbs 2 oz. Earlier that morning we were predicting how much he weighed. We all guessed he would be smaller than her first two, but I said there was no way she would have a baby less than 8 lbs. How wrong I was!! Andrew was even smaller than Ada when she was born.

Spending Monday night with her brought on some serious de ja vou (sp?). When Ada was born, we sent Scott home to get some sleep, and Ann spent the first night in the hospital with me. It was all the same this time, only we had switched places.

Anyway, I will be back later to post more, but Ada is currently pulling on my shirt sleeve and saying "no, mommy!!" so I better run.

A new baby is on the horizon (not mine)

The excitement is high this weekend as Ann prepares to be induced early Monday morning. I am so excited, especially because before now, Ann has always delivered her babies in New Mexico. I met Ellie for the first time when she was three weeks old, and I didn't meet Luke until he was 3 months old!! Ada and I are headed home tomorrow, so that Andrew and I will meet on day one. I am so excited to hold that little boy and feel the new born feelings again (without having to deal with all the sleepless nights). I will be meeting Scott's parents so that Ada can spend a couple of nights with them while I help out with Ellie and Luke and all that goes with "birthing day."

Here you will find how Ellie and Luke are dealing with the coming arrival of their baby brother, Andrew. They are hilarious, as usual.