Dancing in the Minefields: Cherishing the Moments: Month 3

During the early newborn months so many people told me, "Just wait til the 3 month mark...it'll get better." Oh how I eagerly anticipated this stage where my boys would start to become more independent, discovering how to grasp toys and sitting up like big kids in their bumbo seats. And at the 3 month mark it seemed like a miracle happened: they started sleeping longer at night, only requiring one "dream" feed, and Jesse and I felt confident that we were on top of this parenting thing.

This lasted for about a week...if that.

I am no longer so cocky. To put it bluntly, this week has stunk. Our sweet babies have started waking several times at night again, leaving Jesse and I tired and with less patience during the day (my poor hubby and his poor students!) They have also learned that when they cry it causes a fast reaction from mom and dad; it's amazing how these little people can dictate our every move. We will hold them both (that's 24 lbs. of baby friends) and walk around for an hour just to keep the peace.

I was sure when we found out we were having twins that God would give us two chill, happy babies. It would just be cruel if not, right? Twins are born with a built in best friend and buddy, what would they need to cry about? Well I'm here to tell you even twins cry, especially at the same time and sometimes they cry all day.

During this phase we are working on anticipating their needs better, being patient when they're less than perfect, and teaching them to have self-control. God is showing us that we have a duty now, even when they're this small, to begin training them to be good stewards of their bodies and to grow in righteousness. What a task! I am learning that I am also a work in progress. My joy is in the Lord, not in whether or not these boys are fussy. As I find joy in Him, I will find joy even in the hardest of days.

I am choosing this week to be thankful for my sons and to cherish these moments, for they are fleeting. Share in my joy as I captured (literally) their best moments from this past week.