Dear Jemima,
Here we are at 2 months already! I feel like we are settling in to life with 5 kids and enjoying the joyful presence of "little sister" more and more.
In the past month...
- You are becoming so much more animated and responsive. One of my favorite things is when you'll lie on the floor, beaming and making your sweet vocalizations to me. As I tell your brothers, babies only talk when they are so, so happy, and we just love to hear you talk!
- You are gaining sweet chubby cheeks and legs, and you're growing great! You were 11 pounds at your check-up a couple weeks ago, and now you're wearing mostly 3 month clothes.
- You have been getting into a bit more of a routine (although I always expect a new twist as soon as I say that!). You normally go to bed a little earlier now (around 8pm) and then eat around 3am and 6:30am. Then you'll often sleep until after 9am. When we're around home, you'll take a solid mid-morning nap, but you do okay on the go too. (We had a fun family trip to Stillwater this week, and you were a champ.) You have typically taken a great afternoon nap as well, maybe 1-4pm.
- You are still a big spitter. When you're tired, you'll gulp down milk so fast you get all kinds of bubbles, and they still routinely come out with drenching spits. But you're a little more efficient at eating too, and the middle-of-the-night feedings only occasionally take 75 minutes now...
- You still love being outside. You're happy lying in the shade on a blanket even during some of your most fussy times! And your big brothers will gather around you to entertain and guard you. That is one of my most favorite things to watch.
- Evenings can still be fussy, but it's normally a shorter troubled time, and sometimes you can make it without much crying. Unfortunately, I hurt my back this week and can't really hold and bounce you right now (this is sad for both of us!), but when I'm fully mobile, I get a good workout with you most days.
Each day brings its own trouble, and each trouble comes with its own call from God, "Do you trust Me?" I have been encouraged in these last days to intentionally, repeatedly remember in the hard moments, yes, God is worthy of our trust. He is working for our good. He loves to give good gifts to His children, and He does not afflict without purpose.
Here is a verse that is sweet to hold onto in hard times:
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him. (Lamentations 3:21-24)
Everyone experiences trouble. Life in this fallen world has struggle, heartache, and pain. But when we trust in the One who paid the ransom for our souls and made a way for us to be at peace with God, then we have unquenchable hope, forever hope.
I pray you will find hope as an anchor for your soul in Jesus all the days of your life!
I love you, little Jem.Momma
