I have the most amazing photographs in the past few years thanks to my highly talented photographer, who also happens to be a very dear friend. So blessed to have this girl in my life. The first five photos from my post earlier today were taken by the lovely and talented Stacy Kron, along with the photo on my header and sidebar.
You can check out her blog post from Brynja's newborn photos, along with the rest of her work, right here.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
About A Girl
As I've mentioned before, Brynja means "armor." I loved being able to give my daughter a name that has a strong meaning.
Ephesians 6:13 says:
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ever since the day I found out I was having a girl, I've prayed that the Lord would protect her. That she would one day put on the full armor of God, and that she would grow up to also protect those who need protection.
At this point, Sawyer feels the need to protect his "Brynee." He gets very anxious, often times to the point of tears, when someone who he isn't very familiar with is holding his baby sister. Just this morning when we were at our family music class, he was engaged in a song across the room from where I was sitting near Brynee, who was lying on a blanket. Another little boy started coming towards her to say hello. Sawyer took notice and ran across the room. He got between her and the little boy, put his hands over her as if to shield her, and told the boy "STOP." Of course I explained to Sawyer that the boy was our friend and that he wanted to say hello. Sawyer cautiously allowed the boy to say hello to Brynee, but stood by carefully watching over his sissy.
Having a daughter is already different to me. When Sawyer was born, I felt proud of him, but I knew I would be raising him to let him go. When Brynja was born, while I felt the same things to an extent, I felt like she was the treasure of our family. I love both of my babies so deeply, and I do not love one more than the other. But having a daughter feels different than having a son. It is difficult for me to articulate why.
When Brynja had her 2 month appointment, her doctor was sharing that her children were about the same age difference, a boy then a girl just like my kids. It was so interesting to me, because it seems that she feels the same way I do about her children. She adores both of them, but the relationship is different. Her daughter is 11 and her son is 13. About her daughter, she said, "When she is at school and I'm here it work, I physically long for her."
I was always so afraid of having a daughter. I was an awful daughter to my parents during my teenage years. I figured if I ever had a daughter of my own, I would pay for that; after all, what goes around, comes around. I am sure that there will be challenges with all of my children, and who they will be, their personalities, etc. remains to be seen. But I will endure it and raise them the best I can with help from the Lord. I no longer fear it (because what's the point in worrying now?). I am just so very grateful to have the privilege to be their mama.
Back to Brynee. Right now, at 3 months old, she is certainly sugar and spice, and everything nice. She is so very sweet. Smiley, laid-back, rarely makes a fuss. Wakes up happy, sleeps a lot. Loves her big brother and anyone else who stops to talk with her.
It is so fun watching the interaction between my two children. Sawyer, ever the doting and protective brother. And she gazes at him with adoration. Of course they will have their moments, I'm sure, but the prayer of my heart is that their relationship will always be like this at the core.
Psalm 127:3-4
Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Story Time
Okay, so the NEXT POST will be expanding off of yesterday's "Reviving an Abandoned Blog." Stay tuned.
I need to start writing down the things Sawyer does and says... he can be quite entertaining, and sometimes he can be so tender and sweet.
Bedtime has always been special for us. When Ryley is home, we like to both be part of the bedtime routine. Before bedtime and naps, I always sit down in the rocking chair while Sawyer picks out his "bookey."
His favorite books are, "Little Blue Truck," "Big Red Barn," "Bear Snores On," and "Pouch."
I remember when I was pregnant with him, and people were telling me which books I had to get... mostly ones that they said would make me cry. Like "Guess How Much I Love You," and "I Love You More." While they are very nice books, they have never made me cry.
There is one book, however, that I tear up for every time. It's called, "Tiny Bear's Bible." We read that book tonight. Beautifully and simply written about the love God has for us. Here's an excerpt:
"I am with you always" Mark 10
God made a promise-
So you know that it's true-
"I'll always, always be with you!"
No matter what, no matter where
Yes, God is with us, tiny bear.
He'll never leave us - day or night.
He's always with us - yes, that's right!
Anyway, there was an illustration in the book that depicted Daniel and the lions. So I pointed to David, "Who's that?" Sawyer replied, "It's a papa!" I point to the lions - "What are those?" Sawyer says, "It's bears." I say, no baby, those are lions. So he says, "Is... lyyyy-ons." Then I point to the angel, asking him who that is. He pauses... he asks, "Who... is it?" So I said, "That's an angel. Can you say angel?" He slowly replies, "Cheese - ball."
I need to start writing down the things Sawyer does and says... he can be quite entertaining, and sometimes he can be so tender and sweet.
Bedtime has always been special for us. When Ryley is home, we like to both be part of the bedtime routine. Before bedtime and naps, I always sit down in the rocking chair while Sawyer picks out his "bookey."
His favorite books are, "Little Blue Truck," "Big Red Barn," "Bear Snores On," and "Pouch."
I remember when I was pregnant with him, and people were telling me which books I had to get... mostly ones that they said would make me cry. Like "Guess How Much I Love You," and "I Love You More." While they are very nice books, they have never made me cry.
There is one book, however, that I tear up for every time. It's called, "Tiny Bear's Bible." We read that book tonight. Beautifully and simply written about the love God has for us. Here's an excerpt:
"I am with you always" Mark 10
God made a promise-
So you know that it's true-
"I'll always, always be with you!"
No matter what, no matter where
Yes, God is with us, tiny bear.
He'll never leave us - day or night.
He's always with us - yes, that's right!
Anyway, there was an illustration in the book that depicted Daniel and the lions. So I pointed to David, "Who's that?" Sawyer replied, "It's a papa!" I point to the lions - "What are those?" Sawyer says, "It's bears." I say, no baby, those are lions. So he says, "Is... lyyyy-ons." Then I point to the angel, asking him who that is. He pauses... he asks, "Who... is it?" So I said, "That's an angel. Can you say angel?" He slowly replies, "Cheese - ball."
Monday, October 24, 2011
Reviving an Abandoned Blog
The past 3 months have been a blur. I feel like I'm still waiting to start life as a family of four, because my husband hasn't been around much. But we are looking forward to hibernating with our papa for the winter... harvest is so close to being over now. Although the past 3 months seem to have slipped by me, they have been 3 very wonderful months.
As I sit here sipping my apple spice tea on an overcast autumn day, enjoying the scent of "pumpkin marshmallow" mixed with "home sweet home" (I love Scentsy!) while my babies sleep, I would like to leave you with this entry from my private journal, as it is a good introduction to my next post:
Monday, January 24, 2011 - New Baby GIRL!
About an hour ago, at a little under 16 weeks gestation, I found out I am to have a daughter. I will not lie, I was taken aback. I had a small hope that Sawyer would have a brother close to his age. Although I did have a feeling we would be blessed with a girl.
I've always wanted a house full of boys; I just thought it'd be easier that way. Then I could be the only "emotional" one in the house. I already know what it's like to care for a baby boy. I had dreams of watching two boys, in consecutive grades, playing sports on the same team. But it looks like it's not to be... although an ultrasound is more likely to be wrong on a girl.
Now I must think of girl names. I've been busying my mind with thoughts of a boy.
But I know that this child is a blessing, that she was meant to be my daughter and be my second born. I think I've been afraid of having a mother/daughter relationship; I feel inadequate, as I do not have my own mom here to model what that should look like. I know I was an awful, ungrateful daughter who took my mother for granted. And I'm afraid that I will suffer the same fate as her.
And now, I am already praying for the knowledge to raise a gentle and compassionate daughter, wise beyond her years who knows the Lord at a young age. With God, I can do this.
I feel like this will be another step in this healing process of losing my mom. Though my daughter's life is not about that.
One thing I do know is that I love her, even though I have my fears.
As I sit here sipping my apple spice tea on an overcast autumn day, enjoying the scent of "pumpkin marshmallow" mixed with "home sweet home" (I love Scentsy!) while my babies sleep, I would like to leave you with this entry from my private journal, as it is a good introduction to my next post:
Monday, January 24, 2011 - New Baby GIRL!
I've always wanted a house full of boys; I just thought it'd be easier that way. Then I could be the only "emotional" one in the house. I already know what it's like to care for a baby boy. I had dreams of watching two boys, in consecutive grades, playing sports on the same team. But it looks like it's not to be... although an ultrasound is more likely to be wrong on a girl.
Now I must think of girl names. I've been busying my mind with thoughts of a boy.
But I know that this child is a blessing, that she was meant to be my daughter and be my second born. I think I've been afraid of having a mother/daughter relationship; I feel inadequate, as I do not have my own mom here to model what that should look like. I know I was an awful, ungrateful daughter who took my mother for granted. And I'm afraid that I will suffer the same fate as her.
And now, I am already praying for the knowledge to raise a gentle and compassionate daughter, wise beyond her years who knows the Lord at a young age. With God, I can do this.
I feel like this will be another step in this healing process of losing my mom. Though my daughter's life is not about that.
One thing I do know is that I love her, even though I have my fears.
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