Baby, Baby, Baby oooh :)

Alyssia has now been in our lives for over a year She is 14 weeks old today, and add the 42 weeks of pregnancy = 1 year I read the blog from last year.  Where I prayed for a baby who would sleep well.

AND SHE DOES  :)

Sweet Lissy is THE dream baby. She sleeps from 8pm – 3am, feeds and settles back to sleep til when we all wake up. Who knew babies could do this? I am in shock, well, I used to be, when I was only woken once. I would sneak up to her and listen to her and check her… nope still sleeping. Not at all like Beth or Ben (8-9 wakes per night… no joke… almost not really worth calling it sleeping is it?)

Alyssia gurgles and smiles and laughs and coos and makes our family complete. She is totally loved by Bethany: who prayed for a blonde, blue-eyed girl. And she got it And Ben who just yesterday said to her (whilst I was pretending not to be watching him like a hawk… you never know!): ‘Liss, I think you are cute’. Ahhh what a sweet brother and sister Alyssia has.

There is so, so, so much more I could write about having a chilled out newborn, and the comparisons between babies who sleep in the day (Beth and Ben) and those who sleep only at night (yes, she doesn’t really like napping – but it means days are full and fun and nights are sleepy!). I love their three personalities, I love the way our house is full of laughter and toys and fun and when they are asleep we thank God for the blessing of them all.

I love what I have been given and am really enjoying maternity leave, being at home most of the time. Thinking of the future and all that I am made for, this season at home means I am focussing on writing. Thank you for the lovely comments on my book. It’s being proofed as we speak and then THAT graphic designer who I love soooo much is doing the rest <3

But even though I’m not working, I find myself trying to fit things in. I was walking into the village earlier, and heard the sound of the brook. I stopped. Listened. And paused. It was amazing to just listen (yes, the small things) I could have carried on walking up the hill and over the bridge but I wanted to wait and be still. And know. Just a moment. But it was a perfect moment.

Enjoying the moment Love Anna xox

Eat – Pray – Love: A diary of a newborn and a mum of three!

Apologies. Big Apologies for the almost 2 month silence. You see,my life has been everything but silent. And no time for typing. But. Here I am. Two children asleep and one almost five year old snuggled beside me. The shiny, silver laptop has charge on (not mine, my sweet mactop seems to only want to be plugged in, it is also almost five years old!) So. This means there is time to write.

I have been writing in my head. You know those lovely night feeds, when there’s nothing to see or do – this time I’m trying my best not to use my iPhone during night feeds as I think it wakes you up and really, I don’t need to do anything/check emails/facebook update at 4.30 in the morning. So I will try writing here!

It has been an incredible two months. We went to France – all 5 BBs, 2 H’s and my lovely parents. We stayed in the beloved ‘farmhouse’ and ‘a princess castle’. We visited our favourite little French square(s) and drove through Paris: when on seeing the Eiffel Tower I really did squeal with delight, whilst Ryan dodged Parisian traffic (like no place else in the world). As we approached the L’oreal building we managed to find a parking space and I jumped into the back seat to settle Alyssia – she wasn’t so keen on sight seeing and would have preferred a milk stop! 

Well, whilst we were away Beth and Ben had so much fun, playing, talking, swimming, playing, enjoying having all their family around them! It was so lovely for me too. Mum was cooking or the boys were bbq-ing and Lissy was feeding.

It seems like a long time ago since we were there. But I have great memories, and lovely photos!

Coming home from holidays was a real shock to my system. You know how you get holiday blues – well. I got that. I loved being away, having people around, and then back to the rain, being at home with out a car (since been rectified….!) But it all felt overwhelming. I didn’t know how on earth I would fill up the six weeks. What do we do if Alyssia is asleep/awake all day…. She is our best night sleeping baby. I purposefully won’t do a search on my blogs from the early days on Ben’s sleep (search sleep in the tool bar). We had some bad nights. But worse nights with Beth. The 2012 model baby BB seems to have had a few updates. Seriously. She can sleep up to 7 hours in the night. She doesn’t tend to nap every day, but about every 3 days has a very sleepy day. She is so content and loves the noise and bustle the rest of us create. I love lying next to her in the day and cooing with her. Infact, we all do. We often find Bethany having a little chat to her, whilst Lissy is sat in her baby bouncer.  Ben also gets a lot of chatter time to ‘the baby’ as she is affectionately called, at nappy change time both children race to help. It’s funny! It’s heart warming to see how a little tiny (ok, she was never really tiny) baby can change a family and the older children totally welcome her. Of course they would, but you’ve heard ‘those’ stories where the oldest hits the youngest and asks for it to be returned to hospital? Well, thankfully, we have all just grown to embrace sweet Alyssia – pronounced: A-lis-ee-ah or Lissy for short. Or Lissy Loo. 

So yes, there’s been a lot of eating in the past 2 months, great milk for Alyssia. She has gained 6 lbs since birth// almost 2 kg!  We have had wonderful food: Ryan’s paternity leave consisted of making delicious meals for us! And then there’s been the praying.

I felt a bit distant from God. I think in the business, I had lost time to hear from Him. I thanked Him, as part of my daily prayers. But sometime at around Alyssia’s fifth week. I went for a little walk – with Lissy in the baby sling – and began talking to God. It felt so normal. Like there hadn’t been a five ish week gap between praying for the safe arrival of baby, thanking Him for the perfect baby and the quiet gratitude in my heart thanking Him but also wondering why I hadn’t reached out to God – even though I could see Him and His provision, Love, care and grace surrounding us. Well. I didn’t dwell so much on the why nots. But was taken up in the way that God talked to me that day. How I felt peace, how I felt totally at peace –  a calm that really did affect me, my heart, emotions and spirit.

I have continued to think about Him and pray. Not in the way I used to – even until I had baby. I know this is a season where my usual morning coffee/prayer time/blog time is a little turned up-side-down at the moment. So I will find another slot in my day. Because my family know when they have a peaceful mum. I am so much more giving when I praise and pray and thank God. 

I can already hear the whimpers of my littlest BB. She is such a delight to us. I am full of love. Three wonderful children. Three beautiful children. And probably three blonde children (I am a brunette!) My heart is so full… This not-so-newborn is a fantastic addition to our family. And even though I felt distant, the grace  and love of God has brought me back. Or, maybe I wasn’t distant I was in a fuzz of newborn emotion, overwhelmed and not sure how to process it. But, now i have. At least in part.

I remind myself of this scripture from 1 Cor 14: from memory – Love is patient, it is kind, it does not anger, it is not self-seeking, it protects, takes no record of wrongs and always hopes.

It is that Love that I ask God for so I can be loving to everyone in my family – and beyond!

Love, and Hope! A xoxo

39 weeks pregnant :)

It’s incredible how much you can do in one week.

I bought: Roller blinds, lamps, nappies, food shopping, weed killer, etc…

I did: Walks to the shops (really, really far away), had a wonderful haircut – my best yet (imo) and had my toe nails done. And snuck a sneaky trip to starbucks (alone).

I feel so ready for this baby. I don’t know what else I could do to be ready now. My sun tan is coming on fabulously I’ve finished the two books I was saving for when I’m feeding baby – so now have downloaded 3 to my ipad/kindle app (wonder how many I’ll get through before he/she arrives).

I am certain of my baby girl name(s), I have my middle name for a boy and several for his first name… boy or girl, girl or boy. I already have the best of each one (you know that though!) and so gender isn’t as important (right now) as personality, love for life, and the way they will slot into my family. One of my new friends asked if a boy/girl was better – she has two girls. I said they are absolutely the best – both are equally the best. Ben playing with my hair as he snuggles on the sofa whilst we watch ‘pippins’ or Beth talking to me as we lie on the bed chatting about our day, our friends, and all that we have been up to. Their outbursts of ‘I love you’ at any moment that I’m not expecting it…

Sometimes the waiting gets to me, the not knowing of ‘when’ the moment will come when baby is born. The logistics of getting my two in the right place to get to hospital. Where Ryan will be – he’s been in Manchester/there’s a big event on right now/and an out of the blue vvv unexpected win for a festival next week means he will be a few hours away.

But I trust.

I am not afraid. I had a few BH contractions on the weekend. And I began to cry. Did I trust? Will I have the strength? Will it be like my other two (fabulous) births? Ryan was playing guitar downstairs and I was packing my hospital bag upstairs. Then I sat down and prayed. I asked the Holy Spirit to be my comforter and told Him I trust. The fear left. It has not returned.

I just found an email I wrote to a friend after the birth of Ben:

Second time even more fast(!) than the first. The labour was 1hr 32 and got to hospital at 4cm so was already having powerful contractions. I spent 1 hour In the pool with the gas and air… I asked Ry to press the buzzer to get the midwife and we delivered 12 mins later!!!

Yeah. That’s pretty fast isn’t it? So why would I fear – no reason – I am trusting for another fabulous birth

Been praying these scriptures for baby and birth too: taken from the website: http://happyhealthyliving.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/scriptures-and-prayers-for-pregnancy-and-birth/Strength for Childbearing

Lily Bateman & Kristin Schuchmann
(all scriptures quoted are from the New International Version of the Bible)

Exodus 1:19
“The midwives answered Pharaoh, ‘Hebrew women (God-fearing women) are not like Egyptian women, they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.’”

Lord, thank you that I have vigor and strength to deliver this child you have given us!

Exodus 15:2
“The Lord is my strength and my song.  He had become my salvation.”

Lord, You are my song in the light and in the dark.  I will always sing to you, my Savior and my strength.

2 Samuel 22:33
“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”

Lord, You make the way of our baby’s delivery perfect.  You cause my body to be strong and work perfectly in order to glorify yourself in the delivery of our child.

Psalm 18:6
“In my distress I called to the Lord, I cried to God for help.  From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”

Lord, I call to you for any help I will ever need, no matter what my situation.  I call on You first… and you hear my call.

Psalm 46:1-2
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear…”

Lord, You are the only ever-present one.  Thank you for being with us during labor and delivery.  I will not fear.

Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

Lord, You made me.  You created me to carry and deliver children.  Thank you for making me in such a wonderful fashion.

Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

Lord, You are my supernatural, perfect peace.  I know your peace and will know it during labor and delivery of this child.  My focus is on You and your goodness.

Isaiah 40:30-31
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”

Lord, You will renew my strength during delivery.  My strength will not wear out because it is from You and my hope is in You.

Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Because You, Lord, are staying with me throughout my labor and delivery, I have no reason to fear.

Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…”

Lord, thank you for not leaving us alone.  Thank you for being with our baby as it passes through the waters in my womb.

Isaiah 51:12
“I, even I, am He who comforts you.”

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for always being my comfort.  You always bring the comfort I need.

Philippians 4:13
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Lord, I confess I can do this through You.  It is You who gives me strength.

Psalm 119:165
“Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

Proverbs 14:30
“A heart at peace gives life to the body.”

Isaiah 54:13
“…and great will be your children’s peace (shalom).”

Thank you, Lord for your promise of peace.  I receive the peace that is mine in you, Jesus.  Thank you that my baby’s shalom, peace and total well-being, is secure because of your faithfulness to your servants and to your Word.  May your peace rule and reign and give life during my labor and the delivery of this child you have given us.

 

What not to say to a pregnant woman ;)

I am 22 weeks pregnant and I have a pretty nice bump. I wouldn’t say it’s huge. I would say it’s pretty cute…. I have to blog about things people say to pregnant women. Or maybe it’s just things people say to me. Enjoy and remember, the next time you see a pregnant lady tell her what a gorgeous bump it is She will be your BFF, well, forever!

1. WOW. You’re bump is huge, you must be about to drop? Nope. I’m half way. Honestly there’s no way to make a comeback on this comment. Apart from to go home and google 20 something week pics and realise you are indeed ‘small’ for this stage My babies were 9lb 5 oz and 9lb, so 9lb something is predicted for this baby bump…
2. You must be all water. I love it when people say this…. But at the same time I don’t really know what to say next. Because I don’t know if it’s true. And then I realise my baby right now weighs around 400g, is approx the size of a carrot. A CARROT. Apart from the orange bit, it means that my baby is long and skinny
3. After I had my baby I had a flat stomach within days. OK. This is a secret dream. And only because  my Mum says it makes me not want to google ‘pregnancy diets for a flat tummy’… My mum is, and was, VERY skinny! So she had a good, I mean GREAT starting point… Some people just aren’t as fortunate. Or have ever done as many situps/hoola hoop exercises. Some people, like me!
4. Are you sure it isn’t twins? Hmmmmm….. I saw the ultrasound. And you know those things are quite accurate. Yes I have heard that there is a twin hiding But after a lovely 40 min scan where baby bump moved all over the place, I am convinced. It’s a singleton babe!
5. You’re going to have your hands full. You must be mad.. any variation on the theme of those two. And I smile. Go home and pray that those words will not affect me and I won’t start going crazy! And that we’ll have all the help we need.

Maybe I’m more sensitive during my pregnancy. Maybe *some* people don’t know what to say and revert to cliche.

Of course, lots of people say lovely, lovely things. But when you are not expecting to talk, or if you forget you are pregnant, or are day dreaming about holding new baby these few comments stick in your head!

I look forward to being 40 weeks pregnant and meeting baby bb3. If the past 22 weeks have flown by then the next 18 and a bit should too. I know I waas a bit cheeky writing all those things up there. As I can giggle about it, so can you xox

 

Ben wanted to blog too:

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from Ben xjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjbjjjjjjjjjjjjjmjjjjj (benji he says)§§§

 

Just another day?

I am becoming increasingly aware that each day is becoming months, each month a season and each season a year. And then there’s a decade. Maybe because Ryan and I will soon be together for a decade. And that I can count. I already have passed the ten year reunion from Secondary School. And the ten year reunion from College. Not yet though for University.

Or maybe it is because I can see how quickly life goes past. Watching my baby grow inside of my tummy, watching her look at me after she was passed to me when she was first born. Counting her life in days. Then weeks, months and now years. Her favourite thing to do when introducing herself is say “My name is Bethie and I’m four – aren’t I mummy?’ She does this with a cute look in her eye and twizzles her blonde ringlets around her finger. Yes, she will melt your heart. She melted mine in the first second I met her. That second will never be forgotten.

Now, seeing Benjamin when he was first born was equally amazing but totally different. I had a water birth and I got to hold him first. I remember seeing his little tiny face and the gush of emotions as I whispered ‘I love you Benjamin’. Those hours that I held him turned to days and then weeks. And what? Then he was one year old. And now he is my almost one and a half year old. 16 months of boisterous, gorgeous, bustling with energy and a cheeky – oh so cheeky smile.

The thing I love most about them growing up is getting to know them. So although having life on pause for a new born where you can cuddle them all the time. WAIT… no you don’t: you wake up every hour to feed them, they cry a lot, they sleep a lot in the day and that’s when you cuddle them! Oh and you burp them I know. So glamourous.

But now Beth has her character and Ben is developing his – or was it always there and now they can express themselves more we see more of who they are. More of who they are created to be? I know that you could totally shut their precious characters down. You could ignore the life within them. Yes they want to get into everything, and safely they can. They can explore. They can figure things out. But with me around! I want to be the kind of Mum who allows them to find things out, in a safe way, where I am there to help them when they ask or when it looks crazy. I want them to develop their characters fully, I want to see what God has placed within them and to nurture their call and allow them to step into destiny. Just as I was.

So no. It’s not just another day at all. Is it? Today is important. Who will we meet? What will happen? I know that each day is ordained for me. But I have to take opportunities given to me. Like yesterday. I went out for the WHOLE morning First stop the village slim club…. Met a lovely, lovely lady with a boy similar aged to Ben. If I hadn’t gone there- I wouldn’t have met her (obvious). If I hadn’t commented on how lovely her son was (also obvious) I wouldn’t have started talking to her. If we hadn’t gotten into a deeper conversation, it would have ended there. I am always amazed at the way people enter your life at certain seasons, on ‘just a normal’ day. I want to pay attention to the details that have been etched into my day even before I know about them.

Colossians 3:15
And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

Thankfulness day 3: done 50 thanks so far

1. My blog:writing has enabled me to get my thoughts laid out clearer and to catalogue events
2. My journals, started me off with my writing…..
3. My calendar – reminds me of what to do
4. My iphone.
5. Friends who call with blessings
6. Friends who call
7. Friends who text
8. Actually the 2 friends who texted me yesterday asking if they could help in any way…….. THANKFUL FOR YOU xoxoxoxoxxooxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxooxoxxo I think they already knew in my reply: but you girls read this! xo
9. Ebay. I love the way my junk makes money.
10. Money. I love the way it stretches so far. And by some kind of divine power(!) there is always enough.
11. The internet. I love browsing, researching, reading, youtubing etc.
12. Books (novels). I love the way you can get totally drawn into a new book. And before you know it. It’s finished.
13. Books (Inspirational). I love the way they can take you on a journey and you can develop yourself by reading them
14. Children’s books – now my children are older they love to come and share a story. I waited for ages for Beth to ask ‘Can you read this to me?’ and my answer is always ‘yes’. Ben isn’t too keen on sitting still yet!
15. Magazines. I was given the subscription to Home and Garden for my birthday from Ryan, and I love the glossy covers, the smell of the fresh pages. The designs……

That takes us to 65. The children are waking so I will go get ready for my day. My wonderful day: We have a Princess Party to dress for

May you find beauty in the mundane, and treasure in the normal routine. A xox

Wide eyed in the dark night.

So. it’s midnight. Apparently, there is a big scary monster in the house and for that reason Bethany needs to come in my bed. We prayed. The monster fear was gone. I tucked my princess into bed, and lay there.  Couldn’t sleep. Soon enough it was 1am. Ben was crying. Ryan went to him. I went to him. He cried some more. I went back. Ryan went back. Now it’s 2am. Couldn’t sleep.

I start thinking of all the jobs I have to do tomorrow (which is now today)

* Clean * Laundry * Iron * Bake 50 cupcakes (for sale, not for me to gobble up) * Buy things * Check my ebay for what has sold * Feed the rabbit * Find the rabbit * Prepare for the wedding address for my sister’s wedding.

Then I begin think of opportunities I have been given.

Have I taken every opportunity I have been presented with? Would I always say yes and take a chance to succeed. Succeed? I love that is the way we think. First option is success. Not in a proud, boastful way. But in a thank you God for everything you present to me, if I’m given an opportunity it must be to stretch me in a way  that I couldn’t otherwise do by just going about my normal every day life. Not that I think every day is normal. No day is ever the same. EVER. This week is conference week. For me that means being home alone from tues-sun. Usually (well. last year) I would have been freaking out. This year, I am different. I can’t exactly work it out. I am more peaceful. I am more settled. I am more confident that I can cope. Ha. And this year I have 2 children!

I started to worry that I wouldn’t cope this morning. I worried that I would get upset with the children. That I would miss Ryan. That my family would be too busy. I prayed. Silently. As I brushed my teeth. ‘Help me find peace, please’. I know. Short and Sweet?! But it was answered. I checked my fb and I had a friend from Canada write me asking to meet for lunch. Ahhh. What a beautiful opportunity! I said yes. And this week will be wonderful, I will succeed, my children will have fun with me. I will love. x