Two Month Old Nora

Our baby girl is two months old today! I kissed her bare bulging belly tonight and thanked the Lord that she is healthy and strong. Her smiles are still rare, but more frequent, and she has much to say. She loves finding the picture frames on nearby walls (yeah, we can't figure that one out either), and is quickly becoming best buds with Koda, the lazy Shiba Inu pup. Her legs are slowly getting more and more plump (much to mom's delight), and we celebrate the fact that she is a big ole' sleepy head (8-9 hour stretches at night-amen!). 

She is loved.

Wild and Free

I cannot believe Nora is now one month old! This little beauty has been the largest blessing. I'm pretty sure in my last post I confessed that being a mom is hard. Let me just repeat that sentiment; being a mom is hard! I've become well acquainted with the most obscure hours of the night, the quickest showers in the history of bathing, a variety of poop forms I never knew existed, a level of multi-tasking that warrants some sort of medal (although I'll settle for her smile), a complete lack of awareness as to how I look because my excitement of getting out of the house with everything baby girl needs before noon shadows all else, the struggle to stay up and have some time to myself versus the rational: sleep quick and fast before she wakes up again, the yearning to breastfeed and the physical struggle that ensues, the desire to stay home and raise my daughter rather than having to return to work, and an overwhelming, halting love I never knew I'd experience. It's the hardest, most beautiful job and I would not trade it for anything in the world.

Last week I had the privilege of hearing Jessi Connolly from Naptime Diaries speak at a Charlotte wide ladies' gathering. An open invitation was extended, so I jumped right in and am so glad I went! (I am thankful for a husband who left work early to watch the babe so I could attend. I even received a photo of him in the trenches during my absence, complete with a spit-up stained shirt.) My time there was nothing short of refreshing.

Jessi spoke about her recent endeavor to live a life wild and free. What woman doesn't want to live wild and free? As she talked about confronting the lies we, women, often fall victim to, and the freedom that comes with believing, instead, the promises of the Word, a different speaking point pierced my heart. It was her prompting to replicate the freedom we-rescued, redeemed and restored children of God- experience in the hearts and lives of others. She posed the question, "In whom will you replicate this freedom?" Nora, I thought.

In that moment I wanted to be a better person, woman, mom. I wanted to be the woman I desire Nora to grow into. I want to be the best example of a woman reverent of the Lord in every aspect of her life.

I want sweet Nora to be wild and free.

Nora Evelien

As I type this, the baby monitor sits beside me where I watch my little girl sleep. Nora Evelien joined our family on November 11 at 8:48 pm. Weighing 8 lbs. 7 oz. and nearly 22 inches long, the nurses called her a large baby. In my arms she felt so small. Her eyes opened wide to take in this new, vast world. Then her eyes found mine. I am completely in love.

In my short time as a mother, I have already learned so much. I've learned that being a mom is hard. There are struggles that occur every day, like fighting the worry of will my baby spit up at night and choke and choosing to trust the Lord to watch over and protect her health and heart. It seems silly, but that's a prayer with which I've become all too familiar. In the wee hours of the morning, when she fights sleep, I find myself fighting frustration and exhaustion as I practice patience and choose joy. Then, of course, when she finally drifts to sleep, my bed becomes a distant desire as I can't tear my eyes from her precious face. The minutes pass as I imagine the kind of woman she'll become.

Chad and I have also learned the importance of a loving community. We have been truly humbled by the outpouring of love and generosity from our friends and family. Our hearts are full knowing Nora is surrounded by many who will love and pray for her to know a life walking with the Lord.

Sweet Nora has changed my world, and I wouldn't have it any other way.