Transitions

We are 2+ weeks into life as a family if six and the transition is going surprisingly well. 

Before Lincoln arrived, 10 weeks before, we were told that I had a very thin portion on the uterus that could rupture "at any time." We were directed to come to the hospital whenever I was thinking it was "the time," whenever I was having consistent contractions or whenever I had one contraction that I could not talk thru. 

All of these directives put me on high alert and I lived those 10 weeks, from being 28 weeks pregnant to being 38 weeks pregnant very uptight.

I didn't want to make plans that I wasn't sure I could keep and I always wanted the house in tip-top shape, just in case it was the last day I was home. 

Now, that Lincoln is here, things are so laid-back and relaxed, even me. Maybe especially me. 

Many people have expressed concern or chagrin at how much I am doing or how well things are going for us. 

The reality is that we are in our new normal and Lincoln is here, healthy as can be, and I'm recovered/recovering well. 

Today Katrina and Samuel wanted to paint. Normally I would have dragged my feet at that request. Today, though, I asked them to wait till I was done nursing and then set up an easel outside (I might be laid-back but I'm not insane!) with paint for them to have at it. 

Another request today was to give Lincoln a bath, all of us. Without much hesitation I set up the baby tub on our bed and we got him all set for a bath. It was actually fun! 

I'm thankful to the Lord for where He has us right now. I'm thankful for where He has brought us in the last 12 weeks. Again we were witnesses to His perfect timing and as I learned at the beginning of the pregnancy, not all moments will be times of great growth. Some will be moments of clinging to the Lord and other times, like now, will be times of abiding in Him, resting in this place, in this season. 

As I've thought about a tree during different seasons this idea has been clarified in my mind. During a storm, the tree hunkers down, digging its roots in deep. It's when the storm passes that the tree can relax and rest and grow upward. 

The 10 weeks of wondering every single day if Lincoln was going to arrive that day I equate to the storm. I hunkered down with the Lord, dug into my foundation with Him, reviewing and remembering all I have learned about His character over the years. 

And these days, I'm relishing in the clouds breaking up, the sun coming back out and time of learning even more about Him. 

Photos galore

Naturally we have been taking more pictures since Lincoln arrived, 11 days ago already. 

How can you not photograph a dreamboat baby? 

So, when the "three bigs," as I refer to them now, see the camera, they are much more likely to ask to be photographed as well. 

Therefore, I have some pictures to share some with captions, others without. 

Katrina's math this week introduced a bit of algebra and Papa jumped at the opportunity to teach her the concepts. She caught on immediately and we have determined that she likely has her father's engineering mind. 

Homeschooling has been such a blessing to our family and this week all three bugs participated in some fun science experiments. Of course, Katrina insisted they wear protective eye gear! 

Katrina received a target gift card from Grandpa and Nana and used the first few dollars to buy some glasses she has had her eye on. They're not prescription glasses but she wears them like she needs them! 

She continues to be an incredible help to all of us in the family and we are so grateful for her positive attitude with the heightened responsibility she has recently assumed. 

Joel has probably had the most difficult time adjusting to Lincoln's arrival into our home. However, one week after we came home from the hospital, he seems to have transitioned quite well into the position of third-born of four children. The beginning of the week brought many tears and many tantrums but today had brought many smiles and many laughs. We praise God for extending us grace to extend in Joel's direction. 

And Lincoln. What can I say? He is a dreamboat. We are in love with him and his presence in our family. We continue to be amazed at God's goodness and graciousness in granting us the desire of our heart when it comes to family size. 

We are a family of 6 and loving it! 

Surgery Success

Today was Samuel's surgery. He had tubes put in and an adenoidectomy. 

Praise the Lord, things went wonderfully. 

God gifted him

With a very brave spirit today and he was not fearful when the nurse, anestesiologist and doctor took him away. He even walked into the operating room! 

The procedure took about 30 minutes and the doctor cane and talked to us. He said things went smoothly and that they'd be coming to get us as soon as he started to wake up. 

They came, just like they said, and he was very calm, very different from the last time he had tubes put in. We are so thankful he responded this way this time. 

We got him ready to come home and set up a bed for him on the sofa. 

He and I pretended I was his nurse and I got him what he wanted to eat or drink. 

Special times call for special measures, so he was allowed to eat sugary pancakes in his sofa-bed. 

It's been a great day, except we have been missing a couple kids. A.lot.

Katrina had the opportunity to go get school pictures taken with two friends who are in the same program as she is for school and then even "did school" with them. I can't wait to hear how her day went.

And Joel spent the entire day with Grandpa and Nana. 

Both kids will be home within the hour, I think, I hope! We really miss them. 

When we are all together, which is the majority of the time, we are the most blessed. We are so thankful that God has chosen the work He has for Pancho and the schooling situation for the kids. We simply live being together as a family. 

I'm just checking in to let you know where we're at.
First, we had our baby. Katrina is officially big sister to the third and Samuel is big brother squared. Both are enthrall we with our very own "little Lincoln" and their first question upon waking each day has been, "Can I hold the baby?" We try to indulge that as much as we can to facilitate a strong bond. Our little Joel, who just turned two, is adjusting a little more slowly. Last evening when Lincoln was getting a diaper change he was quite upset and Joel expressed concern for "the baby." He proceeded to bring him candy from the candy we were sharing during a movie night with my brother and sister-in-law. The thought was very sweet and not forgotten. 
Tomorrow Katrina is going to another RVA-er in third grade's house.  They will have their school pictures taken (I will be sure to post one so you get a sense of Katrina's style/personality -- boy, we love that girl!). After pics they will do a little schoolwork together which should be super fun. We did school today and it was successful. Today was the first day we've done it as a family of 6 and both Joel and little Lincoln responded well. I even fed Lincoln during the second half of completing the day. I was/am SO  pleased at how things went. I am aware we will have ups and downs but I am thankful to God for this first successful day! 
Lastly, Samuel is getting tubes in and adenoids out at 8:30 tomorrow/Monday morning. We trust that God will use this procedure to alleviate pain/pressure and hearing loss. Please pray for our big boy. He is a bit uptight. We gave him a toy tonhold during the procedure (a new rescue bit, Boulder) and for the moment, he seems just fine. I will try to post as he recovers this week. 
So, that's where we are at. God continues to be faithful thru the ins and outs of our days. 

Here are a few pictures to enjoy. 

Our big girl being the wonderful helper she is. 

Our big boy with our little Lincoln. 

Our Jo-Jo-Bean with pink eye BEFORE Lincoln was born. Again, God's timing is always right. 

Lincoln at 48+ hours

We continue to be overwhelmed with Gods graciousness towards us. 

We heard the name Lincoln during the pregnancy and liked the strength of the name. 

If you know me, you know I appreciate names with a special meaning. 

Lincoln means "settlement" which wasn't really what we were looking for in a name. 

Yet, we continued to come back to the name Lincoln. 

A few weeks back, while lying in bed one night, Pancho suggested the middle name Johan (pronounced YO-Han). 

Johan means "God is gracious." 

If there is one thing we have been struck with throughout the course of our lives, especially in terms of our desires when it comes to how many children we want, is how God orchestrated things 

over the past eleven years to transform our hearts.

Before we discovered we were expecting Lincoln we were both content with the miracles God had done in our lives in the midst of infertility and miscarriages and high-risk pregnancies. 

Then, out of the blue we found out we were expecting another baby. God had graciously gifted us with another child.

And as we have processed His gift, our "settlement has continually declared His graciousness." 

Lord, may our hearts declare Your graciousness every time we see and interact with Lincoln Johan. 

The settlement declares "God is gracious."

Introducing Lincoln Johan Duran -- the settlement declares "God is gracious"

Born September 2nd at 12:10 am

Weighing 7 pounds 11.6 ounces

Measuring 20.25 inches