Two Months!

Big boy is two months old!

Where did Millie go?

Again, I think some will disagree with me for saying this, but if you had the opportunity to walk in my shoes for about ten seconds over the past few months, you would be hard pressed to find a reason not to believe in things/people/messages put smack in your face for a reason. I may not be getting specific answers to my prayers, but I sure am getting messages that they are being heard!

We had some heavy-hitters over the past couple weeks in terms of Saint feast days...Padre Pio, Vincent de Paul, Therese of Lisieux, Archangels, Guardian Angels. I feel like the timing couldn't have been better to carry us through these first couple weeks home.

Things have gone smoothly for the most part. I definitely could've done without the cold that Millie brought home from her first week of pre-school, which took down her, Luke and Matt (who never gets sick) and eventually me this past weekend. Thankfully it went fairly quickly and I was able to keep them away from Owen for the most part. I'm pretty sure I washed every blanket, sheet, pillow case and stuffed animal in my house after that.

I literally want to smooch him all the time!
Owen too  😉😉

This week begins a six-week time period with lots of follow up appointments with the doctors he saw in the hospital and lots of nurse visits to the home for PT/OT. Will we get answers? Maybe. Is my son getting better? I think so. He certainly is as cute as they come. And he's sleeping longer at night which mama definitely appreciates (and needs!).  He also sleeps like a champ through the chaos that ensues with his older siblings. And he loves his bath and reading books before bedtime. His big sister is a huge help and loves to feed and hold him. And his big brother talks about playing tennis with him all the time. (He also talks about getting a car wash, which we have never done with him, just to give you a flavor of what random things he talks about in general. It keeps us smiling). So, amongst the ups and downs, we are doing well. And we are joyful 😄

In the early mornings of the feast of St. Vincent de Paul I had this little quote pop up on my twitter feed from famvin:

Usually when I read these quotes and reflections I take some time to ponder what they mean in my life. This one took no time at all - my little masterpiece, baby Owen - is what I'm being called to work on right now. That and how that little masterpiece fits into the bigger masterpiece of our family of 5. I have thought many times of how disconnected I have been over the past few months, and have felt terrible many of those times. How I've had conversations with people and failed to ask how they or their family is doing. How the normalcy of play dates and running my kids around has ground to a halt. Maybe I'm forgetting what it was like two or four short years ago what life with a newborn was like - and maybe I thought since I already had two kids I'd somehow have these mommy super powers and be able to keep status quo while having a newborn. Either way, it doesn't matter right now. I just want to say to all of you I'm sorry for the times I have spoke with you and didn't ask how things were going with you. Even if I don't ask, I promise I am praying for all of you, your families and whatever is weighing on your heart. Right now, I am busy working on my family masterpiece!

I could go on and on with little things put in my path over the past few weeks but we will keep it short today. I'll leave you with some Kari Jobe and my list of things I'm grateful for!

Things I am grateful for today:

1) The bright sunshine and mild temperatures that have returned this week. Jeans and t-shirt weather is by far my favorite!

2) Owen successfully adjusting to life at home, setting his own schedule and allowing our chaotic household to heal him.

3) Being able to focus on my masterpiece and still being able to eat. Ever thankful to all those bringing us meals, it has helped us so much.

4) I can't not put this one every time - so grateful for your continued prayers and messages of support. I know someday this will be a distant memory. But, in the meantime, know you are lifting me up every day.