Maren. Where to even begin? Each baby has been different from the others. Maren's memorables include high-pitched screaming, loving the carrier, and hating her car seat. Her hair is getting lighter every day and even has some red in it. She's a very good eater and a (mostly) good sleeper. We've left the stage where she sleeps through everything and will now startle awake at loud noises. This is quite tricky with 2 very noisy older sisters. A tender mercy for our family is that even though the rest of us got sick with various maladies at the end of December/beginning of January, she was spared and has been healthy! Unfortunately, those sicknesses prevented us from blessing her at church yet. (We intended to do it on Dec 28th.) The farthest she's been from home is Enchanted Rock (~100 miles) and she rode nicely in the carrier to the top.
I feel like the third time around with a newborn I recognize a little better how fleeting it all is, so I am treasuring (almost) every moment. She is such a joy and I will often just stare at her and feel myself start crying (like now) at the privilege that it is to be her mother. Pregnancy is NOT fun and her delivery was NOT fun, but she IS fun, so I'm happy to have endured all that to get to have this precious girl in my life.
Also, I thought I knew what being tired meant before I had three kids. I laugh at my former self. There are not enough hours in the day to get done what I need to and it seems like at least one person in our family is upset at any given time. But those few moments where everyone is happy make it all worth it.
