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.