We're Not New to Newborns

We've now had Luella home for over 6 weeks.  As it has been with all the kids, we feel like she's always been here because it's hard to imagine that we ever lived without her.  She fits right in and everyone just adores her.

It's funny how different the fourth newborn feels coming home versus the first one who came home 6 years ago.

Six years ago a baby would cry and any and every adult in the house would jump and run to make the noise stop.  Nothing ever got accomplished.  Today a baby cries and no adult or child even flinches.

Six years ago a baby slept in our room. Today a six year old is often still in our room and a newborn sleeps in her own room.

Six years ago a baby had a closet packed with clothes purchased throughout the pregnancy by me, my mother, my sister, and lots of friends.  Today a baby has a packed closet of hand-me-downs thanks to some generous friends who responded to a FaceBook request.

First borns get over 10,000 pictures taken in their first year.  Fourth borns get a lot less.  First borns get baby books.  Fourth borns don't.  First borns get to wear "outfits" every day.  Fourth borns wear pajamas...every day...sometimes the same pair for several days.  First borns get lots of textbook parenting.  Fourth borns get experienced parenting.  First borns are read to in the womb and every day thereafter.  Fourth borns (and third borns) have to get old enough to bring the book to you.

But fourth borns get just as many kisses.  Parents dream just as big for them.  They have lots of "helpers" doting on them.  There is just as much love for them as the first, second, and third.  They have calmer, more laid back parents.  And they will never be alone...ever.  (Because their mother has already birthed an arsenal of play mates for them...you're welcome!)

And since we know this is our last one, we are soaking up the newborn moments like we never have.  Sometimes it feels like the days are just slipping through our fingers.  Her squinty newborn eyes are already gone.  Her (semi) tiny newborn cry is gone.  Her jerky newborn movements are getting under control.  Her NB size clothes have already been given away.  Too fast.

...but we're not crying over it either.  We've already been enjoying her new found smiles.  We love her little coos.  And we are so excited to see what type of personality blossoms out of her...observing and comparing our kids' personalities fascinates us.  We see pieces of so many of our family members in our kids.  Each of them amaze us in different ways.

So, no, we're not new to newborns.  But we're new to fourth borns.  And we're new to Luella.  We look forward to every day God gives us to love her, enjoy her, and learn about her.  As one of His special creations, she's sure to amaze us.