Motherhood in the Trenches

I haven't blogged since Jonathan was born; we've been in survival mode over here. But I recently told a friend I'm so close to crossing over the line between surviving and thriving! Jonathan has started sleeping 8 hours which is a game changer and everyone is finally well, knock on wood. In the last month ...mastitus twice (flu like infection from breastfeeding- awful, awful, awful); EAR INFECTIONS; collected poop samples; surgery for tubes; Luke gets stomach bug; 24 hours later mommy gets stomach bug; 10 hours after mommy, daddy gets stomach bug; 2 hours after daddy, Caleb gets stomach bug; Jonathan continues to insist on eating frequently; daddy brings home cold/ sinus thing from jury duty; mom gets it; Caleb gets it; Luke gets it. Like most moms with little ones, everyday I'm either pooped on, peed on, spit up on, snot on, or thrown up all over, and some days all of the above times 3. My washing machine never sleeps anymore either.

It's exhausting. But I really do LOVE being mom to these little boys more than anything and God has given me a fresh perspective. I've been reading a new book out, Loving The Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic. My kids are 3, 1.5, and 11 weeks; she has 5 under 5 (someone always has it harder than you!) It has short, easy to read chapters and has been the encouragement and push I needed to carpe diem these long days and not lose sight of what God has me doing with his little sheep. Jankovic reminded me it's not their fault there are three of them making things exponentially harder. It's my responsibility to deal with it and nurture them as individuals. "Individually they are being precious, curious, and excited. As their mother, I am responsible to see them individually, even when they are presenting themselves to me en masse(p.52)" I.e. Caleb is trying to get himself a snack and spilling food everywhere, Luke is crying because he fell trying to climb up a chair and reach his blanket, Jonathan is crying because he needed a diaper change 10 minutes ago while I'm trying to get something edible together for everyone. Lord help me not get overwhelmed and stressed in those many moments of exponential chaos but see and help them each through your loving, patient eyes.

For a young mom, Jankovic has so much practical wisdom and advice, plus great stories that will make you laugh and cry! If you have young children, it's a must read and will take 5 minutes or less a day!

An Eventful Halloween

Sunday, October 31, 2010...

1:40 am - Water breaks

2:00 am - Arrive at hospital

4:35 am - welcome Jonathan Alexander Vaughan

8.5 lbs, 20 inches

Caleb and Luke meet their little brother Jonathan

5:30 pm - Trick or Treat Time!

Two little Auburn tigers say War Eagle!

Hear me "ROAR" for candy

The due date came...

... and it went. October 23 was the estimated arrival day for Jonathan, but apparently he is still very comfortable right where he is inside mom. We're trying to give him as much time to come on his on because induction is not an option since I'm trying to have a VBAC (vaginal delivery after c-section). Caleb was a c-section, and Luke was a VBAC. After having gone through both, for me the delivery and recovery experiences were night and day different. Though I'm so thankful for medical advances and the option of a c-section to allow for a healthy baby, I'm going to have three little boys under three, and it would be a great blessing to not tack on recovering from a major surgery. After meeting with my doctor yesterday, he decided we could schedule the c-section for as late as November 4. Not that I want to go that long but in hopes of giving my body more time to go into labor naturally allowing for the VBAC.

Everyday feels like an emotional roller coaster... waiting, hoping, expecting... and the day ends. However, he will be here within a week which is so exciting! Thank you for all your prayers; please continue to pray that the Lord would move this child to come quickly!!!

Fall Fun

Touchdown Dance

Game Day

We had a little mini family reunion in Starkville a couple of weeks ago, and we all spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon on the front porch or in the front yard! Football, baseball, golf... the boys had a blast... being boys!

Present, Past, Future

Caleb explaining to Aunt MoMo what a "post-corner" route looks like

Victory Growls

True champions must stay hydrated

Plant with the left, turn on the right, follow through...Kennon is planning our retirement :-)

Grandad and Luke talkin shop before kick off

Finally... a name

One of our pastors made the comment that identity determines biography. I thought that statement defined well mine and Kennon's thinking in the naming of our children. We did not set out to start a tradition of giving all our children Bible names. Our first son is named after the Biblical character Caleb, a man whose faith and zeal for God helped lead God's people into the Promised Land, a man full of passion, humility, and faith; a man who encouraged Joshua and stood strong in the face of sin. Our second son, Luke, was named after a doctor, turned missionary, turned historian who inked over 1/4 of the New Testament out of love for one man and a desire for him to know and embrace the gospel.

One of the qualities I really appreciate in my husband is he is an amazing storyteller. He can make the Bible come to life in an inspirational and relevant way no matter your age, and when he tells our sons the stories of their namesakes, our prayer is they will identify with and be inspired by the legacy of these godly, passionate men that the Lord used to change the world. So you see we couldn't let this third boy not have his own character story!

After eight months of many name lists, we've decided to call this third little boy.... Jonathan Alexander Vaughan.

As Francine Rivers writes in the historical novel, The Prince, "Jonathan's legacy was faithfulness. He was obedient to God at all costs, a loyal servant and regent of Israel. He was a trustworthy friend, an honorable son, and a protective father. He willingly accepted the course God charted for him and embraced his faith with all his might." As I finished reading this short book and the scriptures on Jonathan's life in a new light (1 and 2 Samuel), tears rolled down my cheeks at the loyalty, humility, and faithfulness to God and others that this man possessed. We pray our Jonathan would possess the same kind of character.

Alexander is Kennon's middle name as well as his maternal grandfather's middle name who Kennon often describes as one of the most gentle, wise, and Christlike men he's ever known.