New Mom Thoughts - Part 1

Can you believe it? I am officially a 2-week old mom. Our son, Raphael, was born to us on July 18, 2021 at 5:03 AM. He was two weeks and one day early. Today, August 2nd, would have been our due date of 40 weeks, but he decided to come early. Even so, I know his arrival was timed perfectly by God for my husband and I to receive him.

Raphael has been such a joy to our family and friends! There is a hymn called "Because He Lives" and my mom was sharing the lyrics with me of the first verse, it goes like this:

How sweet to hold a new born baby
And feel the pride and the joy that he gives
But greater still that calm assurance
We can face uncertain days because he [Jesus] lives

It is amazing to see how a little baby can bring such joy to those around them. We had a beautiful elderly woman come over who is 82 years old - she was dropping off a gift for us - and we asked her if she would like to hold Raphael. Because of the current "pandemic" in the world there was a little hesitation... but when my mom told her "he will only be 4-days old once" she quickly agreed and sat down to hold him. Later that day, this beautiful woman text messaged my mom (yes, she's the coolest!) and told her it has been over 10 years since she held a newborn and her heart was so full of joy! 

Raphael and I have been to quite a few appointments over the first 10 days of his arrival - I think 10 appointments in total! It can be really tiring as a new mom to meet the demands of a newborn baby, in addition to ensuring I, myself, am fed and taken care of as well. I don't know how single mom's do it, it is so hard. I am very grateful for my loved ones who have come and surrounded us with support in ensuring baby is fed and changed, as well as allowing me to sleep a little here and there to catch up.

The first 3 nights I was starting to see images, and I quickly surrendered my thoughts to God. I was very tired, but I know God never sleeps or slumbers, and that He is always with me. These strange images have disappeared since, thank God!

Regarding my emotions, I am still really sensitive, up and down sometimes, not sure how to explain what I am feeling or expecting - especially with my husband. But there is grace, on both parts, as we are both new parents and learning new things every day. I think as a woman who had a chance to carry the child, I had more time to mentally prepare for the arrival of our precious gift, but it may have been more of a shock to my husband since he hasn't felt all those physical changes and kicks prior to Raphael being out of the womb.  

Raphael's name means "healed by God" in Hebrew. We truly believe God has given us this name for him, as we had the scare/bleed out in week 13 of the pregnancy, and have been to so many ultrasounds and now doctors appointments for his horseshoe kidney. As hard and emotionally challenging this process has been, I am grateful for the team of doctors who have come to support us in this process with confirming that everything is okay with Raphael. And it is okay! Thank God again, He truly is our healer!

I was listening to a few YouTube videos on encouragement for new moms just yesterday. In one of them the following verses were shared: 

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. - Titus 2:3-5 ESV

Ultimately these verses indicate four main things that are required of women who are married and have children:

1) Love their husband and children

2) Live sensible, self-controlled and pure lives

3) Take care of their homes

4) Be kind and submissive to their husbands

Seems pretty straightforward, and I'm praying God will help me to fulfil what is required of me as a wife and mom. The word of God really does have a verse for everything!

Going back to the lyrics of Because He Lives - Jesus is so much greater than any situation we may face. He's even greater than the personality of our spouse, child or our own self! There is so much hope in knowing that I serve a God who I can trust with all the details of my life.

This was the verse that I read over and over again during labour:

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him. 

- Psalm 28:7 NIV

~~~

These are just some of the thoughts I've had and dealt with over the past 2 weeks of our newborns life. I'm hoping to write more often again while the baby is sleeping - because for me, writing is a form of rest.

Blessings