"firsts"

We have had some big firsts as a family of 5 in the last few days. Maybe they aren't huge milestones, but sometimes it is the little victories that make you feel more normal...or at least moving in the right direction. I truly believe having a new baby is tough enough, but then adding a new baby to a family with two very active and loud little boys who still need a lot of parenting has taken things to a whole new level. Not that I would change a thing, but there is a definite learning curve! (add the fancy postpartum hormones and utter exhaustion and it feels like I am constantly moving through sand)

So like I said, it is the little things. This weekend Josh and I managed to go grocery shopping with all three kids. I wouldn't dare do this by myself yet, but it went super smoothly with Josh's help. The boys are generally difficult enough to grocery shop with, but this time they were oh-so-good. Maybe they could feel how important it was?? While we were in the checkout lane, Josh snapped this picture of the boys holding hands and talking. This went on for a few minutes, and it was adorable and made my heart sing. Oh, and the baby was perfect. She slept the whole time.

Another first: Maclyn's first real bath since her cord fell off! The boys loved it! Maclyn did not, she cried a lot. But I will say, that the subsequent baths seem to show improvement in her response.

Another big "first" was going to church as a party-of-5! We were super late...but we MADE it!! All three of our kids were dressed and fed, I managed to find something to wear and put some makeup on, and though we walked in right before preaching we did make it. I don't think I heard a thing during preaching, I was worrying over the boys and Maclyn was awake and near crying (or crying) for a big majority of the time. So it was stressful, but we were there. My pretty girl wore the dress and bonnet her daddy got for her while we were still in the hospital. And of course, her pearl bracelet.

After church I had Josh snap some pictures of me with my three children. I look at these pictures and my heart just swells. These are my miracle babies. MINE. I carried and birthed them. I am a mother of THREE kids.We struggled getting pregnant and required medical intervention to achieve each pregnancy and I am amazed at the blessings God has provided my family, as we were never promised any of it.

On Monday I started exercising again with light walking and putting Maclyn in a Moby wrap. Today I decided to try the stroller. I managed a mile and a half walk before Maclyn became fussy, then we headed back home. It was nice to get out of the house for a bit and get some exercise too!! Operation lose-the-baby-weight has begun.