Fourth Baby Tips - What Has Helped in the Newborn Stage

Baby is 4 weeks tomorrow. Busy busy busy, that's been life around here! I still can't believe we have two boys and two girls now. It's double the love and joy, in addition to non-stop moving and rare is a moment to myself (but not in a bad way). I can't believe the outpouring of love I've felt from people.  They've just been coming out of the wood-work since Sapphire was born and offering support in homemade meals, or taking one or two of the kids for me. It's really been great! Neighbors from down the road brought meals, two of Brandon's brothers have helped watch kids, and my sis. I really feel the love guys!

This season of our lives - it's as busy and intense as it will get for Brandon and I probly ever again. with the nursing, diapers, cooking, homework, housework, dinner, etc....
Knowing that, I try to slow it down a few times a day and appreciate each gift.  To look at a child's face (Idk - whoever's right in front of me) and just appreciate who they are in this moment.

Last night we took all the kids for a walk because there was a house showing. Then when we got back the people said they want the house. So at the end of January, Lord willing, is when we will leave for Florida!

The boys on said walk. This is down at the creek, a quarter mile from the house.

When we came back, the people said they wanted to take the place. "Do you guys like chickens?" I asked. They were quite enthused about the chickens. So that's good - the hens can just stay in their little home then and not have to get used to a new coop. But I'll miss having them. And I'll miss their eggs.

"Is it quiet here? A good place to read?" The woman asked me. She was older, and they had two teenage boys. I bounced my newborn in her carrier, while my toddler circled around my legs, assuring the lady that this is a great country place of peace - though you get the occasional noise from tractors planting or harvesting in the field next door or across our dirt road.  I'll miss the down home feel of the beautiful country I thought privately as I watched the sun setting brilliant orange on the dried out autumn cornfields. But, that is part of why we are moving out of the country. The boys need other kids to play with. And I need more of people and community too.  Though this is a perfect place to retire. I just don't want to do country winters now that we have four kids. 

That brings me to what this post was about. What has helped me keep it all together in this time of newborn baby?

And baby makes four!

1) First off, my "double everything" rule.  I have two strollers. One in the car, one in the garage.  I have several baby carriers - again, one always in the car. Two changing table stations. Our house is intensely hectic from kids, and I'm always doing 5 things. But baby is also always pooping...so we have one where baby and I sleep, and one in the main area. two refrigerators. that we've done since kid 3.

Multiple diaper changing stations 

Changing table in our bedroom.

2) Order stuff. because shopping with whiny littles is hard. online it is.

3) Bribe the older kids. This one's about picking your battles.  I need help.  Yes, they should just help out the family and not expect anything.  But, I'm tired. And paying them means less whining.

4) Date Nights. This is crucial. Sure it's expensive, but do it because it really is worth it. For the sake of sanity. For the sake of finishing a conversation with my husband. For the sake of great food I didn't cook. For the sake of not hearing afore-mentioned whining for a couple hours in a row.

5) Skip the baby book. This is the fist baby with no baby book. Sounds pretty classic doesn't it. Poor fourth child. But I am doing a special box for her. Things like her footprints, ultrasound pics, hospital wristbands, etc. are all in there. I can't completely lose myself in children. Any time I have to write by hand will be writing in my own journal.  I'd rather enjoy baby by looking into her eyes with the limited time I have.

6) Always accept help! :)

Moving To Florida Soon - Trusting a Wild God

"God is our provider, and we just have to trust Him."  This is what my husband has said to me many times when Im wondering when the money will come in for a need we have.

"We walk by faith, not by sight."

Financially, we actually do okay and it's been this way for the past several years.   I'm super proud of my hard working husband. He has his own business in remodeling (specializing in bathrooms).

But I still remember having to trust Him for things like food and gas.  In the first few years of our marriage we were often broke, and then, often miraculously God would provide.  Time and time again we have these crazy stories of provision.

Well now we're not in need anymore.  God has blessed us. If we need clothes or food or something we can always afford it. The endless diapers are no big deal.

Except that we are soon moving our family of six across the country to Florida, from Minnesota.

We don't even know anyone there, but last February it was something we felt on our hearts and we have solidified this by telling our landlord that we will be out no later than January 30th.

Brandon always has a steady flow of work but a move like this will take signing up a big job. So for a few months now I've been praying for the means to come in so we can leave.

There is a part of me that feels like Im still pregnant - but it's only with anticipation for things to fall into place.  If the money didn't come in then we would still be totally fine money-wise to just move across town. But it's Florida we feel led to go to.

While things may sound like theres a lack of stability in waiting on The Lord... There's actually not.  It is a dependable thing to know that He is always good, and He is sufficient. We do serve a wild God though. Anyone who's ever cracked open their bible open knows this is fact. The reality of life is that nothing is actually guaranteed. Nothing. The idea of safety and insurance in the human way that we think of it is a total and complete illusion.

So while I wait, and as I anticipate....I can only be thankful that life is this exciting. Either way I know we will be taken care of.

Settling in... Letting things Go, and Living Life With A New Baby

I'm realizing I need to get rid of some of this pregnancy food I've got laying around here from all of my various food phases that took place over the past nine months.

Eight different kinds of mustard. Pickled asparagus. A weird amount of sauerkraut....
I don't even like instant grits normally, but at one point they were imperative.

Yep, currently I find myself beginning to move on to a new chapter of four kids and not pregnant. It feels SO GOOD to lay on my stomach again, and also to not have the skin on my belly hurting, and to not be in acid-reflux hell all night. (I could go on).

The pregnancy is over and has all given way to a mild state of laundry-shock, and an extra cup of coffee every day.  Holy piles of clothing.

But sometimes with more "stress" comes extra patience and freedom. The secret? The key is giving up. Not totally giving up mind you - don't sit in jammies all day. But I'm letting stuff like laundry go for a bit longer.  The kids have marker all over their legs? No big deal. As long as they don't stink like urine I have no time to bathe them each any more than once a week.

A more laid back approach than I'm used to (along with evening wine) has been my saving grace in these first two weeks.

I'm also throwing stuff out left and right. Yep, all the time. Garbage or the giveaway bags that stand ever waiting in the garage for more "stuff" we don't really need to fill them. Garbage or giveaway, whatever the choice, I've found a new freedom in just tossing it. Out it goes!

There's stuff I've held onto that needs sewing - it's out - don't have time. That same old toy that no one plays with but I always step on - out.  Art projects sitting on the counter - this one tugs at my heartstrings - but, out.

I'm only one person. I can't file or fix everything, or find every freaking toy part we're missing. Switching around my expectations for what I can bring to the table around here has been amazing. It's cleaner and less cluttered and I can spend more time with my many children.  And just enjoying the baby, because her head smells like cookies.  And she makes the cutest noises.

To any mom who just added in another baby - I highly recommend this giving up thing!