Squishy

He's a month old already and plumping up perfectly!

This past month has been an unending blur of feedings, diaper changes, colic, and sleep deprivation. But the rewards are so sweet. Some of the happiest moments of my life have been spent cradling the soft warm body of one of my babies. They curl up against me, fitting so perfectly in my arms, surrendering themselves so trustingly to my care. As they sleep so contentedly it is always clear how blissfully happy they are to be snuggled up just with me. No lover could woo more sweetly. I am always most sincerely "in love" with my little ones.

And though I love to romanticize it all, there is of course the raw reality to be dealt with. Beckham is adorable indeed, but he is definitely a high maintenance baby. During my pregnancy, as I was struggling with other hard things, I had a tiny hope that this would be my "perfect" baby - the kind that rarely cries, sleeps through the night right away, and is easily contented. But I knew down deep that it would not be so - and why on earth would the Lord bless me with the experience and tolerance that five other children have given me and not send me a little one that could benefit from it? I have found that the point when my own strength begins to fail is the very moment when the Lord begins to work alongside me. He is my patience when I am exhausted, He is the sunny day that cheers my blues, and I see the work of His hands in the loving support of my husband and helpful children. One of the speakers in church today said that the Lord loves each one of us as if we are each the only one. I have felt this a little lately and it has been a real blessing!

But enough of my ramblings! Don't you just want to squeeze these cheeks?!

                                                                Do you see the resemblance?

Currently my favorite baby part:

 I wonder if I could make a living photographing belly buttons...