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And then we were four…

by Jessica on January 30, 2011

He finally came. He waited eleven days before he made his mark on the world. Eleven days of wondering, for mama, is this it? Is today the day? Was that a real contraction?

But finally, in his own timing or as a dear friend put

“Our love God wll bring your little into this world in His own perfect timing.”

He did.

Otto Augustus

January 17th at 4:23pm

9lbs 1oz, 22inches

Joey still reminds me at least once a day that Baby Otto is out and no longer in mommy’s belly. He’s already a good big brother. He loves to give him kisses and when Otto cries he tells him “It’s okay, Baby Otto.” Today on the way home from church, Otto was crying and Joey told him, “We’ll be home soon Baby Otto.”

It’s adorable.

We’re settling into life as a family of four. It’s been good. And fun. We definitely feel blessed and privileged that God would give us charge over these two little ones.

Each night as we kneel beside Joey’s bed and say prayers, I’m humbled as I think ‘This child is mine. I’m responsible for him. I’m the one to teach him in the way he should go. I’m the one to show him Jesus.’

It’s both a humbling and sobering honor.

250. Otto!

251. Joann–the hospital tech who washed my legs and feet after labor as she spoke of grace and Jesus

252. Parents taking pictures with their fancy new camera

253. Brother kisses

254. The relief of not being pregnant!

258. Husband’s sweet kisses and encouragement during pushing

259. The newborn cry!

260. Family all home together

266. A smooth surgery for Joey

281. Quiet moments rocking Otto

282. Watching a father and son dance party

283. Sleeping with a sleeping babe in arms

Tagged as: 1000 gifts, Gratitude Community, Parenting, pictures

{ 9 comments }

Blizzard Bloghop

by Jessica on January 27, 2011

in blogging

Ah…the Blizzard Bloghop during Blissdom. How I would have loved to be in Nashville this week, but dragging my postpartum self and a 10-day-old baby boy would have been just a wee bit crazy.

Instead I’m sitting at home watching the Blissdom stream on Twitter soaking up what loveliness I can.

{moving on}

I’m Jessica.

I write about pursuing an authentic, passionate, and purposeful life. But don’t think I have it all together.

I don’t, but I wish I did. {Don’t we all?}

I’m a recovering perfectionist learning that grace is enough, wife to a seminarian (Joe), and momma to two precious boys (Joey – 2, Otto – 10 days).

My goal is to live free even when it’s scary. I grew-up in the Marine Corps where there are no hometowns and that life taught me how to read people. (Sounds creepy, doesn’t it? It’s not.)

I like taking pictures, old books, pearls, shoes, pretty words, wearing flowers in my hair, scrapbooks, redemption, and the occasional sewing.

Tomorrow I’m hosting my first link-up called The Reading Room. It’ll be a place where we can share the words that move us. I’d love for you to come join in!

I’m also in the process of starting a “If I Knew I Wouldn’t Fail” support group that was prompted by a recent (in)courage Twitter party. You can read more about that here. If you knew you wouldn’t fail, what would you do?

I’d love to get to know you, hear your story, and connect…let me know you stopped by!

Tagged as: Blissdom, Blizzard Bloghop, blogging, pictures

{ 8 comments }

Waiting

by Jessica on January 2, 2011

in Living Intentionally

This week is the week of waiting. Just three more sleeps until the day dawns on the due date. And, of course, that really means nothing. I’ve learned that from the last time around. The eldest boy who took his sweet time coming into the world…a whole ten days late.

Due dates aren’t promises set in stone, but I wish they were. It’d be nice to have everything planned so smoothly.

To know just when the contractions are real, when the packed bag sitting by the window should be put in the car, when to call the parents and tell them to make the eight hour drive…it would be so easy.

But nature doesn’t work that way. He’ll come when he’s good and ready and even as my body prepares for his coming–the belly pulling tighter and tighter, the hips pushing wider and wider, the womb hanging lower and lower, the joints aching…all signs, all indications.

He is coming, but when?

Today? Tomorrow? Thursday? Next week? Who knows?

He knows. And I wait…saying silent prayers for soon and peace and smooth labor.

Who knows…maybe next week I’ll be able to share pictures of a little blonde-haired, blue-eyed or red-haired, green-eyed, or brown-haired, brown-eyed little boy.

But this day, I wait.

212. A date…just the two of us