Babies remind us to be Still

One month ago today we welcomed baby Avery Francesca Montminy to our family and it has been a crazy and blessed ride. I decided each month to spend sometime reflecting on her growth and mine as we go on this journey. On seeing what stood out, and how I want to keep growing.

August 26th we went to the doctor thinking we had a few more weeks to go. Then were told we would need to be induced - so many emotions came flooding in - frustration, anger, fear, disappointment, these became excitement, and joyous as time kept going. The induction however, failed and we ended up needing a c-section. This was all anything but what we had hoped for our birth. I felt exhausted and like a failure for using medicine and needing a c-section but I will write more on learning to love my body in this season later this week.

Sweet Avery arrived healthy and beautiful. She had her dad wrapped around her finger in moments. Avery is so loved. We left the hospital healthy and headed into our adventure, our new way of life. We were off to this life of parenting, of no sleep, of cuddles, and of connecting in new ways with James. Of new and unexpected. Of taking hours to get out of the house, of doing less things and enjoy each moment. This is a gift of parenthood. When I look at Avery's sweetness I am overcome with gratitude that she is here, that we get to be her parents, and that God has trusted us with Avery. It has had highs and lows, I have cried and laughed. I have loved just looking at Avery and cuddling with her. I have wondered how to help her when she cries. I have been overwhelmed with the responsibility of parenting. I have been confronted with my difficulty in surrendering Avery back to the Lord. Of feeling worthy that the Lord will work through us to raise her, that we will be able to raise her well for the Lord. I have been confronted with the power of prayer as I parent.

Already I want time to stop and her to stay just how she is. I want to embrace and enjoy each moment.

We were off to learning to be parents in a season of recovery. To continuing to learn to how to love my body and embrace it in each season.

This month I have learned and been reminded:

that life is precious

we are created well and intentionally

that Avery belongs to God

that God sustains our lives

that God provides strength

that God knows Avery's life and loves her way more than I ever can

that God knows each of our stories from beginning to end

that praying as a family is powerful

that babies remind us to be still

that marriage can have sweet moments in transition

That recovery takes time and rest -we can't rush our bodies

That sometimes we don't know what Avery needs

That family time is important

that community is SO important in helping us transition

that we need people in similar seasons

that we don't have to have it all together

that I want life to be perfect, but want to learn to embrace it as it is

that tea is calming

that life routine is completely different now but that we get to create new routine and create new family traditions

Things I want to embrace:

priorities: God, James, Avery

learning to be present

learning to trust and surrender

parenting with God

learning to enjoy each moment

letting go of expectations

what my relationship with God is in this season

expanded community

loving my body in recovery and not forcing it

Things I have loved:

cuddles with our cuddle bug

snuggles

learning to breastfed

Watching James with Avery

Seeing Avery have more personality

Seeing Avery sleep

Seeing her beautiful eyes

Family walks