The First Month: Humbled

I came home from the hospital feeling pretty good all things considered. I had an easier recovery this time. I had cleaned the house as best I could. The closets were organized. We spent the first four days home together just the five of us. The boys stayed in their routine. Their behavior was pretty good. Breastfeeding was going well. We learned that Faith is a pretty easy going baby. We were sleeping pretty well.

A week before delivery I had what I thought were the symptoms of Mastitis. I went to the doctor about it but it looked as though their was no infection so I took Tylenol and used cold and warm compresses and the red feverish spots went away. The cold symptoms did not go away but I thought since the boys and Nathan had a cold I must too. But looking back, I think I was never really rid of the Mastitis. It was masked with the pain medicine from delivery.

Anyway, one week after delivery I had what seemed like classic Mastitis: high fever, burning streaks on one side, lethargy...Mastitis. I called my OB and was put on an antibiotic. Days went by and my symptoms grew increasingly worse. I ended up with an abscess. A huge abscess that had to be lanced, drained, and dressed, and is still having to be changed daily. I ended up in the hospital for a total of five days. I've never been so helpless with so much responsibility. All my efforts unraveled and I was helpless to do motherhood and take care of my family. Nathan had to take off work an extra week. In all this helplessness there was a sweetness of God's presence.

Our Church small group rallied around us like I have never experienced. They brought food, stuffed our refrigerator, freezer, and pantry with food. They sat with me once I came home because I was unable to care for the boys alone for a while. They called, texted, and prayed for us. Our family took care of the kids a good bit. Nathan took care of me.

I recently read an article written by a mother who spoke of how she was the glue that held everyone together...the backbone of her home. You know what? I am not. This past month has shown me how helpless I am to do anything. Like our pastor says, "Life is paper thin." I do not hold our little world together. Jesus does. And the Lord has provided! He has shown Himself to be strong.

I left the hospital thankful for His presence and for the three little sweethearts we get to raise.

Here are some pictures that highlight the past month:

The pink flowers are from Nathan to Faith. He brought them to the hospital...said he was making sure he was the first to give her flowers. :)

Confession: I don't take as many pictures of the boys right now because I feel like I'm doing well to get them out of bed, fed, and entertained. They rarely are dressed for a picture. What I mean by that is, they rarely are dressed. ;)

While I was back at Fayette Piedmont they had me on the third floor in the maternity center which was so nice. I had the sweetest nurses and was able to have Faith with me as much as I wanted. We opted not to keep her there all of the time, but Nathan did go get her in the evenings.

This is how they boys play outside with Nathan. 

One month birthday