Mother Love

motherhood + home + family

THE FIRST WEEK + FIVE THINGS

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It seems almost impossible to believe that our baby girl has been with us for over a week now.

It’s been one of the happiest and most fulfilling weeks of my life. I never imagined myself enjoying being a mama as much as I do, and especially a mama to a newborn. I’ve never been the baby-type of person…and I’ll hold a baby for a few minutes but then I’m always happy to give them away to someone else before they inevitably start crying for me. But everything changes when it’s your baby…I could sit and hold my Ayla June for hours, just staring at her little face and touching her soft skin and kissing her all over.

Ayla has done so well so far with adjusting to life in our home, and the first week has went a lot better than I expected it to go actually. She eats well, sleeps well, fills diapers well. My favorite moments are after she’s done nursing and she’s wide awake and just takes in the world around her with her bright eyes. I’ll pull her close to my face and she’ll look in my eyes…and just lock her eyes there for a few moments…and it’s all I can do to not explode with love and joy over this precious child that is somehow my own daughter. Every minute of pregnancy and waiting and labor was so completely worth it for the gift of this little girl.

We’ve been laying low and spending lots of time relaxing and snuggling and sleeping here. It’s been the biggest blessing to have my mom here to take care of cooking and cleaning and laundry for these two weeks, and it gives us extra time to spend loving on our daughter. We did venture out into town on Saturday for a few hours for lunch, since I was feeling pretty ready to get out after six days in the house. Ayla did great with the car ride and slept the entire time we were out, even in the middle of a noisy cafe filled with people. We were so proud! It did feel good to get out for a while, but I was also ready to come running back to my safe little home. Babies seem so small and vulnerable out in the big, big world!

One more thing…I will try to restrain myself from blogging ever and only about my Ayla June. She consumes my world so that might be a little tough at first here (hehe!) Thanks to you all for your congratulations and excitement with us over our little one! I wish you all could meet her and hold her and touch her sweet face.

Here are five things I love:
– this lullaby
– this maxi dress
– this looks refreshing
– couldn’t resist this
– this moment

Have a great week!

What about you: what was the best thing about your weekend?

OUR DAUGHTER:: AYLA JUNE

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You guys…I’m a mama and it is the best thing ever.

Our little daughter was born on Sunday, May 10, and we named her Ayla June (pronounced eye-la) and she is the sweetest thing I have ever laid eyes on.

People told me about the love you feel when you finally meet the little person that grew inside of you for nine months…but hearing about it does nothing to prepare you for the overwhelming feelings of love and joy that hit your heart when that child is finally laid on your chest and in your arms. It is the most beautiful kind of love and makes you feel all kinds of things you’ve never felt before. When I looked into her eyes for the first time and saw her pretty face and felt her soft skin…it was just this tidal wave of love that swept over me…and even three days later, it keeps sweeping over me bigger and deeper. I just look at her sweet face and marvel that God gave her to us to love and care for and serve. She is the most incredible blessing.

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We are doing well…resting and recovering and snuggling…eating, sleeping, and filling diapers (uh, Ayla that is). Ayla has been such a peaceful baby so far, and we just enjoy her so much. My family have been here for the past few days, so she gets lots of snuggles and kisses from everyone. It’s been so fun to watch my family with her and see them love her and take care of her. Of course, we all think she is the prettiest baby there ever was…as every family does and should.

My mom is staying with us for a few weeks to help us as we adjust and spoil me with taking care of the house and such. These first few weeks are such a special time of just soaking it all in, and it is so nice to feel able to relax and spend lots of time with my baby.

Ayla’s name means “oak tree,” and we felt the Lord leading us to Isaiah 61 as a meaning and promise over this name: “…for God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities long ago destroyed, reviving them though they have lain there many generations.” We believe the Lord has beautiful plans for this little one, and we are honored to be the ones to walk beside her and help her grow as they come to pass in her life.

Once again, thank you so endlessly much for all of your love and kindness to us as we awaited the arrival of this little one. So many people covered us in prayers and support, and we feel so blessed…so very grateful.

The Lord has truly been good to us.

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