It’s been 2 months now, as a family of 4 and we are just loving it. I am here for it. All the snuggles and sweet baby smiles and coos. Oh, how I’ve missed the newborn and infant stage and feel so blessed to be experiencing it again (although I’ve loved every stage of parenting so far) after such a long wait. Obviously, there have been some tough and stressful moments, but it has been so worth it. Overall, I feel like we’ve all been adjusting pretty well into this new life.

Phil did not have paternity leave (he is starting at a new hospital next month, so was unable to take leave at his current job), but with his nursing schedule and PTO that he had saved up, his schedule was flexible. His mom came to stay with us for almost a week a few days after Kayden was born, which was super helpful especially with me moving so slowly from my c-section recovery (Read Birth Story Here). Phil worked while she was there to help me and then had some extra days off after she left.

Isa has been attending pre-k two half days a week at our church (I am also still homeschooling her). When I take her, I normally go to a coffee shop in town with Kayden to work until she is done, but somedays Phil or my mom take her one or both ways. She has been really enjoying her friends and teachers and always comes home singing and with lots of art and letter work to show us!

I am still working for the homeschool curriculum company that I started with shortly after Isa was born (learn about My Father’s World here). I am just starting to jump back in more after a few weeks off. I have moved away from making phone calls to focus completely on social media and online tasks. It is bittersweet for me; I loved checking in on and praying for families, but I also still get to connect with some of the families online. It’s also a better fit with having an infant and has more time flexibility.

Isabel absolutely adores being a big sister. It took her a little bit to get used to his crying, but now she is the first to run and check on him and try to comfort him. She loves to hold Kayden, read to him, sing to him, and pick out his clothing. Kayden just started laughing within the last two weeks and she makes him laugh the most. All she needs to do is look at him and he’ll start laughing. Even though we never planned for such a big age gap, having her help and independence has made the transition easier. Watching their relationship develop has been so beautiful to me and I am excited to see what it looks like as they both grow older.

The number one thing that has made this transition so easy is our community. I saw a post the other day about needing community and I just started crying right there. We have gone through seasons where we haven’t had as much community (or they were long distance) and it sometimes feels surreal, the amazing people that God has placed in our lives. Starting with all the people who prayed for and loved on us throughout our fertility journey (beginning in Illinois), the friends and family who have continued to support us from a distance, and the local family and now church that has become so dear to us.

For the first six weeks of Kayden’s life, Phil and I barely had to cook. We had meals come multiple times a week, Phil’s mom and my mom made us multiple freezer meals, and we had some far-off friends send us gift cards. I can’t stress how much of a blessing that was for me as we adjusted. We had people that I barely even know, from church, who signed up to bring us a meal. We also haven’t had to buy diapers yet! I attend a mom’s group and we recently joined a small group and I have been so blessed through the prayer, check-ins, play dates, and babysitting that these wonderful ladies have offered.

With Phil working nightshift and sometimes weekends, our dear friends have reached out to make sure that the kids and I aren’t alone if we don’t want to be. Just the other night I had a friend offer to come snuggle Kayden while Phil was working, and it allowed me to lay down with Isa when I put her to bed (something that doesn’t often happen on the nights that Phil works). Even thinking about it now, tears have come to my eyes. Phil, Isa, Kayden, and I have been so well loved by our family, friends, and church community. At every corner, God has reminded me-whether it’s through a verse, a hug, a meal, hand-me-downs, a baby giggle, or a hug from our big girl-how he knows each and every one of our needs and desires.

Not only does He love us and want to give us what we need, but He often goes way above and beyond. With each challenge and difficult moment I face, I also am reminded that he is with me, that he is equipping me, and that he has given us an amazing support system (people whom I also hope that we can bless and support in return). I am so thankful for this season, because not only do I get to love and care for these tiny humans that God entrusted to me-but I also see how He cares for his children both in the big ways and also in the little details.

Photos taken by Faith Focus Photography