Three Weeks Old - The Beginnings of Smiles

Sarah then, Sarah now. What a difference 3 weeks makes. She is really filling out and putting on the weight.

Last post I said that we didn't snap any pics the second week but I was wrong. Daddy snuck this shot of Mom and baby napping.
Uncle shots.
Below Left: Uncle Brad (Brian's twin brother)
Below Right: Uncle Scott (Deborah's brother)



















The third week was the first week of just mommy and daddy taking care of baby. I was so spoiled having help the first two weeks. I could pass her off to someone and go take a nap. That has been so hard this week since there is only me during the day. I am so tired at night. Brian is being so wonderful. After working all day, he usually comes home and gets something cooked or atleast heated and then gets handed a baby while I try to rest some to gear up for the night. I am sure he is tired to but never he never complains. He just enjoys being with his little girl. I do try not to wake him too often in the night so he can rest up for work. You'll have to ask him if that's working. Now that the gradmas are gone, our Sunday School class will be blessing us with meals for the next couple of weeks which will help a lot with having time to unwind and trade off naps. The Lord knows just what we need when we need it.

To the left you will see the beginnings of smiles. These are the moments that melt your heart and make it all seem worthwhile. She has definitely put on a better smile than this picture shows. We will try to get a better picture sometime. This week especially the nights have been a source of real temptation for me. Not only am I exhausted but also having frustrations with feeding, I have been so angry at times and crying at others, and these burst of emotions are usually taken out on Brian. That is not fair to him or Sarah, and he has forgiven me. I am so glad he know the Lord. God has also, throught friends and family, been reminding me of certain truths this week.

1. Sarah is a gift from God, just as life is. She is not mine but His. His creation, the work of His hands only. My life should not be mine, I am His creation.
2. He has entrusted her into our care. Therefore, out of love and reverence for Him I should always seek His ways and do my best in caring for her. I am cared for by God through Christ, I should always seek His counsel.
3. Even my best is not enough for Sarah or for myself. And, I will never always do my best (that would be sin nature).
4. He has forgiven me for my failures and knows each and every failure I will make with her and in life.
5. He also knows I will succeed because He will provide the grace and strength for that to happen. He will handle what I can't.
6. Everything I go through will be filtered by His grace. There is nothing He will allow to happen that will be for loss, but everything for the good of those who love Him.

When we bend our hearts to God he sees the beginnings of smiles and rejoices with us knowing there will bigger, brighter smiles to come.