Becoming a Mother, Again

I posted some pictures yesterday on instagram:

How grateful I am for my sweet children, and the chance to be their mother. Motherhood is not always picture-perfect... mostly, I think it's not. But I'm trying to embrace the everyday and just soak up the beautiful life that is happening all around me, if I choose to see it.

I figured that Mother's Day was a good time to announce that am becoming a mother, again. There's a baby in there!

I held off a long time before announcing this on the blog, but we are so excited to welcome another child to our family! Another little boy is due in late July, so I just started my third trimester. This pregnancy has flown by in terms of weeks, but feels so long on the tired days.

We are quickly approaching a life-changing event: suddenly and forever more, my husband and I will be out-numbered by our children. We won't be able to tag team them, where I take one and he handles the other. And with all three children under school-age, I will not have enough hands! How does one grocery shop, or run errands?  Or even buckle everyone into the car?

Yet, I remember similar worries about transitioning to two children, and everything turned out fine. We learned new ways of doing things, and I really believe that my skills expanded and grew in the moment I needed them. Two felt like a grand adventure, and three probably will probably just have steeper hills with more glorious summits.

Looking back, I think that I was actually a better mother of two children than I ever was of just one: more balanced, more deliberate, more present. It was so hard, but I learned to be more flexible when life called for it and more in control when quiet confidence was needed. Motherhood has taught me and refined me into the woman I am today, yet I am well aware that I have plenty of rough edges that still need smoothing out. Although I do not always welcome the refinement, I know that these perfect little spirits were sent to teach me just as much as I teach them.

So baby boy inside me, I look forward to your arrival, and the things I will learn from you. Come and let us heap love upon you. Let us be reminded of the miracle of life and God's plan for His children. Our cup of joy is full; come let it overflow.

Dash and Brighton, you have already filled my life with joy and rejoicing. This boy will come and change our lives, for the better. He is going to love your slobbery kisses, I just know it.