Lieren-girl

Baby girl, did you know that there was a day when I thought I only wanted boy babies? When I found out we were having a girl, I almost did not know what to think. But you have changed all that. Just two months with you have made me more than grateful that the Lord decided to grace me with a daughter.

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We are completely outnumbered, you and I. Between Daddy, brothers, and the dogs, it is 5 to 2 in their favor. We will have to look out for one another.

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You are one of the most pleasant babies I have ever met. You love being held, but are content to sit in a swing, watching the world go by. You let us know you are ready for a nap with a short fuss followed by the prompt closing of your eyes. You are dramatic when taking your pacifier or a bottle; if you don't want it, you make a terrible face and act like you are gagging. I can't help but laugh.

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You sleep like a dream. Now if you could only teach your brother to do the same...

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I thank the Lord over and over for how peaceful you are. You wait patiently to eat when I am calming Simeon. You lay next to me with a slight whimper, chewing on your fists, reminding me that you are ready whenever I am. And you usually just look at me and smile when he flings a fist or a foot in your direction. I'm sure you'll remind him of that many times in the days to come.

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Before I even met you, this song always made me think of you. It is my prayer that there will never be anyone else for you but Jesus. And that the goal of your life will be to bring Him praise.

Precious Lieren-girl, I am so glad that God chose you for our family. You have brought a flurry of pink and ribbons, butterflies, flowers and tulle to this family otherwise dominated by blue and trucks and basketballs and dirt and rocks. And I couldn't be happier. I cannot wait to see what the days to come will hold for you. You are a great delight to us.

On Nursing Twins, Sleep Camp, and Finding Freedom

I was a sleep fanatic with Silas. His personality lends itself to being a good sleeper, but I sure did all I could to foster good sleep. I have been so different with Simeon and Lieren. But our entire situation has been different so far: two babies, moving, babes still rooming-in with mom and dad at 9 weeks...

I have been lax about their daytime naps, too. So this week we're starting Sleep Camp. I had several Sleep Camps with Silas whenever I felt that we were getting too far out of routine and needed to get ourselves back in order and sleeping well. He always did great and began sleeping better within a day or two of strict naptimes, bedtimes, and extended sleep. We will see how my current little ones do. We're not far enough in for me to make a call on how they will respond.

We started yesterday afternoon, took a break this morning for a trip to the zoo, and have picked it right back up this afternoon. Lieren gets a star all around so far. Simeon needs a bit more coddling and attention in the Falling Asleep In Bed By Yourself category. He did make me proud in Extended Nighttime Sleep last night, though, which gets him bonus points.

A lot of people have asked how I keep routine nursing twins. Well, I just feed them at the same time no matter what. When one wakes to eat, I feed the other as well. I just couldn't feed them separately. It would be all I did all day long.

Simeon's tummy issues have made me be less strict on his sleep. I've allowed lots of sleep in swings and in arms. It has also made nursing the two together a strain at times (imagine trying to get one hungry baby set up to eat while the other screams at the top of his lungs for minutes on end and you'll get the picture).

When the babies turned 8 weeks I decided it was time for some freedom. I nursed Simeon and Lieren exclusively for 2 months. Silas went way longer than that. But every situation is different and I had to let something go to keep being a good mom for all the children. So now I'm giving the babies a bottle at their evening 7/7:30ish feeding. It's that crazy post-dinner, everyone-is-tired-and-needs-a-bath time of day. It is so nice to get to sit and chat with the family as we do bottles or spend time with Silas while others feed. And I'm supplementing at that feeding with formula as I need to, which has brought quite a bit of freedom in itself.

After feeling spread so thin the past few weeks, it has been refreshing to let some things go that will not matter in the long run. The Lord has been gracious to give us unforgettable gifts in this season and I'm grateful for the freedom to enjoy it.

But Still Blessed

Silas First Verse from Brittany Drury on Vimeo.

Yes, I am spread thin. But there are still countless moments during the day that remind me how blessed we are. What a treasure to capture on video the first verse Silas is memorizing. Nana just introduced it to him on Friday and he already can say most of it himself.

Ephesians 6:1 "Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right."

Spread Thin

A friend of mine sent me a note a few days ago. It was especially sweet and encouraging. At the end she mentioned that she was sure these were days where I felt "spread thin".
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That's exactly right.
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We have been here almost 2 weeks. We are feeling temporarily settled in this house, but haven't done too much about all the boxes in the garage and basement since we anticipate moving again soon. We are endlessly wondering where something is packed, going from garage to basement, and looking through random boxes till we find what we need. So while the house is great for us and we are very thankful that this is our home for now, it is draining not to feel at "home".

Did I ever say two babies were not any harder than one? I must have been in the blissful adrenaline-packed newborn days, safely at home with everything where I could find it, and not traveling cross-country. I'll just say that the move has taught me that three are much harder than one. I don't know what it's like to just have two children but having a total of three is way more work than just having our Silas was. Fulfilling, yes, but still very tiring.



Simeon and Lieren are growing too quickly for my taste. Simeon is already 10 pounds. I found out how big he is because we had to make an unplanned visit to the doctor this week. Simeon has been having some tummy issues and the medicine he was on was not helping. So I had to pick a new pediatrician (so hard because I LOVED our Dr. Joe back in Louisville!) and take him in. I'm praying that what he is on now will help the poor thing. I just want him to feel better. Simeon feeling poorly has meant less sleep and more emotional strain on me.

I am thankful that all three children are happy overall. Silas is adjusting to life here wonderfully. He is loving the new neighborhood and has had some fun visitors when friends from the church have come over to visit and bring meals. But making sure his transition goes well takes work (we've been determined to keep him entertained, attended to, loved, and in routine). And with baby siblings, that can be exhausting.

So the next time we decide to have twins and a 2 year old, I think we shouldn't plan on moving when they're so little. I'll have to talk to the Lord about that one. Ha! This was all His doing, His plan, and is working out His purposes. I sure don't understand it, but anticipate He wants to do great things if He is going to these lengths to time all this as He did.

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I am spread thin. And I often find myself saying "grace" to myself over again. The children need grace and so do I. Thankfully when I am at the end of myself, Grace is sufficient..
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"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,

so that Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9.

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And moments when I'm having little conversations with Silas or gazing at the babes or seeing where the Lord has brought us to join in ministry or listening to Shane teach or spending time with my parents, I am convinced it is all worth it. Difficult and spreading me very thin, but well worth it.

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And not only worth it, but very much all about Him. We sang this song on Sunday and I have been thinking about it all week. When nursing, diapering, playing, singing, snacking, walking, bathing, resting, hoping for rest, and feeling well beyond myself, He is still our everything.

Mom

Dear Mom,
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Today is your birthday. On this day I'm sure you could think of a hundred more calm and relaxing places than right here right now. You might not find a place that needs you more than here, but calm? Relaxing? Not so much.
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Have I told you a time or two how we couldn't be making it without you and Dad? We couldn't have made it just doing our normal life back in the 'Ville, much less the past 3 moving days. I would have had a major meltdown by now if you weren't here, I'm sure.
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I will definitely never forget our 8-hour road trip on Saturday. Thank you for being willing to drive with me and the children so that we could get to Illinois at a decent hour. Thank you for climbing back and forth from Silas to the babes so that everyone stayed happy. Thank you for laughing with me through our never-ending stop at Subway. Thank you for being strong and making me feel strong and brave when I wasn't sure I could press forward.
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Mom, you have loved my children grandly while you've been here. You have rocked babies, fetched blankets, changed diapers, put pacis in, and let me sleep. You have given up what you might want to do so that we are well taken care of. And you've done it with joy.
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I am about to feed the babies again for a late-night meal. The rest of the house is quiet. Silence is rare around here these days. Seven people and two dogs do not make for a soothing environment most of the time, especially when we've all just moved into a new house and have boxes everywhere. You and Dad have graciously entered into the chaos with us. And we are so glad you did.
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So happy birthday, Mom. I'm so sorry today was not filled with celebrating. And I'm sorry I don't have it together enough to have a gift ready. Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I offer you: our deepest thanks. We can never repay what you have given to our family in this season. You have allowed us to do what the Lord is calling us to do (parent twins, move, join a new church family and begin a new ministry). As we were chatting about the other day, I do sense the Lord's favor on our lives. That you are here now is part of His Hand on us.
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I love you, Mom. We all do.