I need true rest.

Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary

and carry heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you.

And you will find rest for your souls."

Matthew 11:28

I write this not just as a bleary-eyed new mommy,

but as a girl who needs to remember

that the true rest I that I CAN attain...

comes from HIM.

I don't just mean physical rest.

(though it is much needed in my house right now)

I mean real rest...for our SOULS.

stillness, quiet, peace, trust, calm.

HE is capable.

and in knowing that,

I can rest.

my new little lovely . . .

I already introduced you . . .

but I just had to share some more pictures today

of my new little lovely, Bethany Len!

She is 5 days old today,

and is melting my heart a little more each day!

I am remembering what it is like to have a newborn...

to change a tiny bottom,

to breastfeed constantly,

to stay up all hours while she gets her days and nights figured out.

(Abigail comforting mama while I labored at home)

And all of the sudden, Abigail seems HUGE to us...

like such a big girl, in every way.

She has been INCREDIBLE throughout the transition

of someone coming and "invading" her home.

She has welcomed "Baby Bethy" with kisses and hugs.

I mean, look how tiny she is in my hospital bed!

I totally forgot how bitty they are as newborns!

(she weighs a little over 6 1/2 lbs now)

Though it is exhausting,

I honestly look forward to the long hours of the night,

all the feedings and diapers and awake time...

because it's JUST US.

(Abigail climbing in bed with us at the hospital)

At night,

I get to just study her face, her little body,

and get to know her,

without any toddler interruptions, or day to day stuff going on.

Last night, I think I even shrieked a little bit to myself

when I took her upstairs to our room...

I love that precious time with her.

(do you see my "ugly cry" starting to happen?!)

I am understanding now the amazing feeling it is

to love two babies, and to hold two in my arms,

knowing the Lord has entrusted me with such precious gifts.

every day i fall harder...

im so thankful.

I'll post more actual posts soon,

but for now,

you're just gonna have to endure lots of pictures of my new princess,

and our growing family! :)

more lovely for your day over here:

introducing . . .

Bethany Len Lowe

We welcomed our new little princess

Wednesday 1/4/2012

at 1:27 PM

She weighs 6 lb, 14 oz

and is 19 1/4 inches long.

She has a headful of dark hair,

blue-grey eyes,

and is the spitting image of her beautiful big sister!

She came quickly, but of course not without a little drama,

(girls, right?!)

but we are praising the Lord that she is here healthy and happy!

{Ill share her birth story soon}

She has already reminded me what it feels like for

my heart to expand.

Her big sister Abigail took to her immediately,

offering her a hug and a high five when she met her. :)

and of course a few kisses too.

My heart has officially M.E.L.T.E.D.

Thanks for the love, prayers and encouragement

as we welcome this new precious life into the world...

She is so blessed by all of you already.

It's baby time!!

We are headed to the hospital this morning, after laboring hard all night long.

Please join us in prayer for a smooth and safe delivery

of our new baby girl!

We will keep you posted!!

I can't wait to introduce her to you!

a blessing in the mail . . .

I got the most precious package in the mail

the other day.

{I even had to sign for it, which made it more special somehow. :) }

It was filled with the sweetest notes and prayers,

along with a beautiful blessing bracelet.

Blessings and "blessing beads" for my coming labor and delivery.

Words and prayers for it to go smoothly and to be joyful.

and it came from some ladies that I have a very special bond with...

Shortly after I had Abigail, I joined the "Mommy & Me"group

at the hospital where she was born.

I joined at the encouragement of my birth doula,

who also facilitated this group.

It was seriously one of the best decisions I made as a new momma.

I had to step out of my comfort zone the first time I went.

But something in me KNEW I would need this support

as I adjusted to motherhood.

{our little ones at the pumpkin patch for their first Halloween - A is the ladybug!}

These other mamas accepted me, loved Abigail, pursued me amazingly...

as we all walked into this new road of having babies together.

All our littles were within months (even weeks) of each other in age,

and all of us were first-time mommies.

We spent countless hours talking

breast milk, bottle issues, sleeping problems, relationships,

faith, adjustment to staying at home...you name it.

And our babies made their very first friends,

they will always hold a special place in Abigail's heart and in mine.

I was FLOORED when I opened this envelope full of notes from my friends.

I don't even live in the same state as them anymore.

We've done this for a few other mommies in the group,

as they have had baby their number 2.

But i never expected it since I moved away.

I couldn't even read the notes at first because I was crying.

amazed at the honor and love that filled this package.

They will be words that will encourage me and uplift me

during my upcoming labor,

as I pursue the goals and desires

of how we feel the Lord has asked us to do it.

And I will wear my blessing bracelet to remind me

as I labor.

This sweet sisterhood is standing with me,

and that means the world to me.

Thanks girls - you know who you are.

now for the waiting . . .

I'm due in 1 day,

I'll keep you posted!

loving my friends, loving my support system,

loving this baby I'm about to meet . . .

and linking up here for things I love: