In the midst of all things Parke, I've been reading Mission of Motherhood with my community girls. It's a great little book by Sally Clarkson. I have to say, I can't possibly soak it all in right now and look forward to reading it again at another point. She has some great points.
To go into my thoughtlife at times since having Parke, I can tell you I often struggle with what's best for him, what "routine" looks like etc. I try hard to have intentional time with him during his awake time, pray over him and talk to him, play with him etc. On the days that look more like sleep, sleep, sleep...I get sad that he and I didn't have time to do the things above. I know, I know, he is 5 weeks old. He won't remember this stuff but hopefully, I will. I love being a mom and most of the time I soak in every little thing. I don't want to miss a beat most of the time. I don't know if it's that much sweeter with all we've been through or if this is how motherhood is, but even the restless nights, I mostly cherish. I am not guaranteed this again. He will be a baby for far shorter than he will be "grown up". So...in saying all of that, this little paragraph has helped me in the last week from the book:
"I have already made a decision to make myself available in the routine tasks and myriad interruptions of daily life because I believe it is God's will for me to serve my family through them. *Making this choice ahead of time means I will expect problems and needs to arise and be ready to deal with them in peace instead of impatience and resentment.*"
I have replayed that in my mind when he decides to wake up every 2 hours at night instead of 3-4, when he cries through a feeding, or when we are simply in no routine whatsoever that day. I hope to respond to him in peace instead of impatience and or resentment. I probably remind myself of this daily and it is helpful. I want to be "in the moment" whatever those moments look like and this helps me to do that.
On another note, Parke is doing great. He is 9lbs. 4 oz. and has grown 3/4 an inch. He smiles occasionally and I hope he will learn to coo in the next few weeks. He still looks like Blake but has moments that reflect my baby pictures to a tee (with blonde hair of course). I love the weekends, especially when Blake and I get to stay at home. He is a great team player and I love our family time. We went to church for the first time and survived! Off to another week....
3 comments:
People always told me, "you'll look at your wife and think she's incredible for the things she's about to do as a mother." I knew you'd be a great mom and thought I had a good idea of what that would look like for you, but you have far exceeded anything I imagined. You are incredible and give God much glory in the way you love and serve Parke! I love you!
you write so beautifully erynn--thanks for helping me keep perspective. xoxox
i loved this post. thanks for sharing. so wish i could read through Mission of Motherhood with you girls, but your post encouraged me to at least return to it now on my own. thanks for the reminder!
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