3 Weeks with Isaac

Isaac turned 3 weeks old yesterday! We have had a busy few weeks with this little guy filled with some ups and some downs. Things are looking up now and we are enjoying every minute of his littleness and his sweetness. We know his days of being itty bitty are fleeting. We're still in survival mode, but our heads are above water and our feet are kicking hard to keep them that way.

It seems everyone asks how he sleeps. Well, Isaac is sleeping well. That is, as well as a nursing newborn can. He does wake up every few hours to eat, but usually goes back to sleep right after. (I did listen to the pediatrician, and he does sleep on his back at night, but sometimes during the day he favors the tummy!)

At the appointment with the doctor yesterday he weighed 9 lbs. 11 oz.! It's amazing to me how much a baby grows the 21 months following conception. It really is quite a miracle.

Whenever Abby hears him make a sound, she says, while racing from the bathroom with dripping freshly washed hands, "Oh, I got it Mom! I got it! I've got it all taken care of!" That's our Abby! All three of the older kids are loving on him constantly. Whenever he makes even the slightest of peeps, Brynn and Abby race to wash their hands to hold him. All three older kids had fevers of 103-104 last week so we tried to keep them away, but they are making up for that now.

It's so cute to watch Brynn with him. Sometimes I hear him cry when I'm taking care of something else, miraculously he stops crying and then I look over and realize it's because Brynn has picked him up and is being a little mother to him. It brings sweet feelings to witness your children be so nurturing to one another. (Brynn and Jospeh have nicknamed him Wully Bill, alluding to Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, ask Joseph sometime to tell you why)

One of my favorite sights, is seeing Brynn curled up on the couch with Isaac atop her chest. They look so cozy and cute.

Aaron continues to really like the little guy. He is amazed by his smallness and is very sweet and kind to his little brother. (Though he isn't always as sweet and kind to me!)

I am feeling a deep sense of love and gratitude for my family right now. Joseph has been so patient, helpful and kind. He's been a great strength to me as we work to bring some of the normalcy back to our everyday life.

My mom said to me over and over again while she was here, that looking back, the days of young children were so hard and so tiring, but at the same time, the best years, with everyone home at night, tucked safely in their beds, under the same roof. I am loving these days and when I look at the evidence of my children all around my house, I am trying to remember to enjoy every aspect of it. Life is very good.