It’s almost one year ago that Tom and I headed to the hospital for the baby to be monitored through the night. An ultrasound earlier in the day showed my amniotic fluid was too low, so we needed to be monitored and hooked to an IV to see if it would improve through the night. So we headed home, got the boys settled with grandparents, and spent the night at the hospital.
The ultrasound the following morning showed no improvement in the fluid level. Thankfully, I was already progressed to 4 cm, so it was recommended that we prepare for a delivery. A few short hours later, baby John Lloyd made boy number three for our family.
One year later and the memories of those first days and weeks are still crystal clear. It got hard, real hard. It was clear from the beginning we were having a hard time breastfeeding…again. And he was showing signs of silent reflux with a lot of screaming…again! We’d been down this road before, but it doesn’t make it any easier in a sleep deprived state.
Things got hard trying to figure out the juggling of three small kids, a toddler moving to a big bed, potty training, kindergarten, etc. It’s been a full year of milestones. So much of this past year blends together. In some ways, it’s hard to believe it’s been a full year. I hate wishing the hard days away because looking back this is where I’m changed every time for the better.
There have been periods of this year that were hard to enjoy the season we were in. Would we do it again? Absolutely. Matter of fact, we’re praying over it hard and waiting to see what the Lord places in our hearts. We know all that comes with a first year of life; the sleep deprivation, the emotions, the crying, the feedings, the recovery, the anxiety. But yet, through all of it, we get a chance to be a part of something bigger. Being parents to another life God created and has a plan for. Who wouldn’t want to do that?
It’s time for the toddler phase. It’s one of my favorites, actually. It’s almost time to put away the bottles. Slowly we’re putting baby items back in the attic. Now it’s time for first steps and first words and real food.
One year down, and looking forward to many more!!
