3 weeks old!

I've been meaning to post for several days now, but there were other pressing matters to attend to, with 3 under 3 and a household to take care of. And volleyball season is in full swing, and while I planned to take off the entire year, we've bounced back a lot better than I thought we would, and they desperately needed officials, so I reffed a few nights since he was born as well. 

We made it through a whole week of my husband being back at work. We even went to the dentist Wednesday, followed immediately by my women's Bible study group that same morning.While we're all a little worse for the wear, we made it, and everyone got fed, slept most nights, and the house is still fairly in tact. I did rely heavily on Thomas and Friends to help me occupy the twins, but considering they rarely watched any TV until about 6 months ago, I'd say they're doing okay. I'd like to spend more time on structured activities (like painting, coloring, crafting, playing outside, walking, going to the zoo and library) with them in the future, but for now, getting them to play nicely with each other downstairs or do a puzzle without fighting are small victories.

Samuel is a champ and we love having him as part of our family. He's such a great sleeper, has really done a good job at nursing, and is pretty easy-going compared to the toddlers that demand a greater deal of our attention. He is gaining weight great (over 1/2 a pound above his birth weight at 2 weeks!) and sleeps most of the time during the night. 

Speaking of sleeping, he just woke up so it's time to eat! I'll try to write more over the next week. God bless!

Today's encouraging verse: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope." Romans 5:3-4

Gratuitous Photo Sharing

Not to brag, but I think I have a pretty adorable baby. We did some newborn photos today as well as some with the twins and the whole family, and I just thought I would share some with you.

I'll hopefully have a more substantial post in the next few days, but the baby is sleeping and I would love to get more than 5 hours before church tomorrow. Until next time!

Today's encouraging verse: "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4

Home again

I never expected to fall this much in love with another human. I've been in love, have felt that infatuation, that need to be where the other person is, that drive to do anything to be with them. I had that when my hubby and I were courting. I may have had it with other relationships before him. I was certain that when we got married, it would be the last time I felt that way about someone. I was mistaken.

I still love my husband dearly, but over the last 5 years, the heart-racing, mind-consuming love has turned into the deep, committed, beautiful and lasting love of a lifetime partner. And it's wonderful!

This little man has completely won my heart in the time it takes for him to fall sound asleep on my chest after a feed. I love absolutely everything about him, from his tiny little nose, to the way he curls up like a little rock on my chest, to the cute little cry, and the sneaky look he gets when he's digging in for a meal. He has so much of his brothers in him, yet he is completely his own little personality. I love him.

What makes me most excited, though, is the way his brothers dote on him, the way they already include him in their games and conversations, the way Teeny tells me, "I want to kiss little baby Samuel on his forehead." One of my most frequent prayers has been that they would love him and not feel threatened by his presence, and I haven't felt that from either of them one bit. Isaac just came up the stairs and turned around and pointed and said, "There's baby Samuel," and walked on. On his way back down the stairs, he waved and said, "I will see you when I get back up." 

I love how they say his name too. Isaac has a slight lisp, so Samuel comes out "Thhhamuel" each time. Tyson uses the most robotic voice to tell him, "It will be all right, baby Samuel." It is adorable.

I know it won't always be this way; the sibling rivalry will eventually rear its ugly head, the twins will resent having to share everything they own with yet another person, but for today, it is all I could ask for.

Today's encouraging verse: "And when God had me wander from my father's household, I said to her, 'This is how you can show your love to me: everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother." ' " Genesis 20:13

Happy Birth Day!

Not going to make this long, but I thought I'd share our great news with you: Blessing is here!

Let me introduce you to the latest member of our Patterson clan, Mr. Samuel Brodrick Patterson! Weighing 9 lb 15 oz, he made his debut yesterday morning via c-section and is 22 inches tall! He is precious, beautiful, and his Big Brothers are very proud of him and love him already. More cute photos to come in following posts. For now, good night and God bless!

Today's encouraging verse: "For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27

12 hours and counting...

Until we meet our newest family member! After an interesting conversation with my OB yesterday, we decided it was in my and the baby's best interest to schedule a c-section. 

He has been encouraging me all along to go ahead with the VBAC, saying that I have a great build for childbirth and that I seem to be strong enough to power through anything. I took both of those things as compliments, although I know what he really means is that I have a really big pelvis and I'm stubborn enough to suffer through the pain of labor and delivery ;-) 

When we passed my estimated due date this Monday, he was getting concerned that I am not dilated at all, my cervix doesn't seem to be ripening, and that the baby seems to be in no hurry to come. I challenged him with my due date theory, and he recalculated based on all the ultrasounds we've had and Blessing's approximate size, and found that I could be correct, but he wanted another ultrasound with biophysical report to make sure that he is still doing well. Everything came back great except he is measuring over 10 1/2 pounds! I thought I would be giving birth to a large kiddo, but didn't expect him to be that big. I also know from the twins that those estimated weights can be off by over a pound, as the boys were each measured the morning I delivered at over a pound less than they actually weighed. 

This news alarmed us both. When we talked afterward, he said that he was very much for VBAC (which many doctors tend to shy away from), but in this case, there is a great chance that if I deliver vaginally, there could be a lot of tearing and bruising, Blessing could get stuck in the birth canal, he could suffer a shoulder injury, or there is a better chance of my uterus actually rupturing. None of those options sounded like something I wanted to deal with or live with the guilt of after a fairly easy pregnancy, so I told him I would discuss with my husband about what we needed to do. 

Of course, I know there are plenty of risks with c-sections, let alone repeat c-sections, but in the end we prayerfully considered the options and decided to go with the guaranteed delivery date and what we hope will be a wonderful and joyous outcome for all of us. It doesn't hurt that both his and my parents were off for the long weekend, my brother and his family were planning to come from out of town, and Craig will get an extra day of leave since he works for a bank :-)

That's how I got scheduled for a 7:30 am delivery in September. Of course, I have to be there way before the rooster crows tomorrow, so I really need to cut this off and go to bed, but hopefully in about 12 more hours the surgery will be completed, I will be in recovery with my newest little son, and everyone will be rejoicing in the waiting room. 

I am a little disappointed that I will have 3 children and have no idea what labor is like. I'm not one of those people that thinks childbirth is the most beautiful thing ever, nor was I planning to do it without meds. To be honest, I was terrified to be responsible for knowing when I actually went in to labor (I've got no idea how to control pain and was scared to be in that much of it), so I prayed Wednesday morning that God would be blatantly obvious with me, have my water break or something, so I would know that it was time. I was planning to have an epidural at the first twinge of uncomfort, and was afraid that Blessing's head would be too large and I'd end up having a massive tear or an episiotomy. I know it's not always in the way that we expect, but God did answer my prayer, and the answer was "c-section." I can't argue with that. 

That all being said, I would appreciate prayers and thoughts as we once again prepare to grow our little family. Prayer for a safe and uneventful delivery, a healthy baby boy, a quick recovery, and a restful time in the hospital, followed by a joyous reunion with the twins and homecoming later this weekend would be most appreciated. The boys were shipped away to Grandma's for the weekend, which is another very emotional tale in itself. I can't wait to see them again, but I know I need to rest and spend time getting to know Blessing. 

I was planning to be asleep over an hour ago so I can get a good night's sleep in before our appointment. I need to go. Wish us luck and pray for us all if you're so inclined. Thank you and God bless!

Today's encouraging verse: "'Though the mountains may shake and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10