New Life; Isaac.

On December 27, 2011, I gave birth to baby boy number 3, Isaac Franklin. Weighing 8lbs. 6oz. and measuring 21 inches long. He is a perfect, strong, bright-eyed and very mellow baby.

  We arrived at the hospital at 9:15a.m. and our precious boy was pulled into the world at 10:56a.m. His loud cries were music to my ears. I laughed. ....a song of "THANK YOU JESUS!" rang through my heart, to my head and finally to my voice. Another sweet gift of life has been given to us.

The twins met their baby brother shortly thereafter. We braced ourselves...

...But it was a meeting of pure joy and sweetness. They accepted him with wide grins and laughter and kisses. "Baby Isaac!!" ...there was a collective sigh of relief.

Coming home was bliss. Comfort, warmth and familiarity. It was as if Isaac had belonged here all along. From the moment I first held him, I couldn't imagine our family without him.

The boys have been amazing. Sweet, caring, attentive and mostly gentle to their "baby Isaac". I am so proud of them. Always in awe of my children.

The past nine days have been utterly exhausting, overwhelming and priceless. It's amazing what forget and what you remember. So much has come so easy this second time around. 

Time is fleeting. My children are growing each moment of each day. I love each and every beautiful chaotic moment. I don't want to ever forget. Even the poopy, wet, loud, frustrating times. Because even they lead to beautiful, bright, laughing, and quiet moments.

There's still lots of laughter in the Scales house. And even more to come, that I am sure of.

Here are few things we've heard from the boys in regards to Isaac:

[A concerned Z, in the middle of the night after being awakened by a crying Isaac] "Baby Issac crying! Baby Isaac crying Daddy, get him!"

[A laughing, curious E after studying his new baby brother] "HAHAHAHAHA, Baby Isaac making silly face!"

[Z, whenever it's time to change baby brother] "I do it mommy! I help!"

[Baby Isaac whenever big brothers want to play with him] "WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

[E when I told him Isaac wants to play with him] "No Mommy, he too little!"

Baby Isaac has his days and nights mixed up for now, but I cherish this time I have with him all to myself. It's extremely exhausting, but I consider it a blessing. For I know all to well that soon, this time will be gone and he will be all go go go like his big brothers.

We've been so blessed, once again, with this precious, beautiful, healthy boy.  

 

Welcome Baby Boy.

 

The Boys and The Belly.

My precious wild boys will be big brothers in one week. Emotions are running high. With Christmas in a few days, it's all excitement and anxiety around here.

The boys have no idea what's about to happen. How their world will be forever changed. It's bittersweet, really. How can it not be? My babies won't technically be "the babies" anymore. They'll be the big brothers. The older ones. The examples. ...There will be a new life in our family. Another person. Even just days away, it's hard to imagine.

And, it's exciting too. Another life to love, to hold, to believe in, to raise, to watch grow. A little brother. To see big brothers teach, protect, learn. I'm so grateful and blessed.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, I am full of thanks and have an even newer, stronger appreciation for God's grace. How He has carried me throughout this pregnancy. How He has saved me from myself. I could not be a [good, productive, loving, sane, patient] mother without God's grace.



37 Weeks

Reflecting.

There have been days. Days when I seriously thought I was on the brink of insanity. Days when I actually wondered why God would see it fit for us to bring another child into this world. Pregnancy hormones to blame? Most likely. The hormonal part alone makes me question ever having another child.

But it's exciting too. This life inside of me, growing, thriving, kicking, moving....then one day pulled from you kicking and screaming. And then holding onto you for dear life. Dear life. Sweet life. LIFE.

There have been days when I felt the boys were a bit cheated this second year of their life. Because I am pregnant and for months have not been able to keep up. I've been limited. And I feel bad. It sounds silly on paper, but it's a feeling. I know they have known no less love.

The Boys.

Learning sure hasn't been shorted around here. It's amazing how much they soak up. Give them pen and paper, sing to them, talk to them and they listen and they learn....fast. My (almost) two year olds are praying, counting, singing, conversating, pointing out colors, shapes, and letters, drawing "people", "flying", "race-car driving", dancing, remembering, repeating (EVERYTHING). I believe in God's promises for them and I believe in them. They will do great things in their lives. Great things.

Mysterious! Exciting! I find myself bracing for what's to come. Oh, how I believe in this new little life. This little boy, "who shall be called Isaac". This thing I know for sure, "...he will bring laughter". Lots of laughter.

And so we shall become, Scales, family of five. Sounds good to me.