When Jane was born, Spencer, miraculously, had an assigned vacation week starting one week after her birth. I remember taking Benny to and from school with all five kids that first Tuesday through Thursday home. Things worked out so well. Then it was wonderful to have Spencer home a full week. After that week my mom came out for a week. Everything worked out so wonderfully! I wanted to replicate that experience with Chris' birth.
Spencer's schedule is much more flexible now and we were able to control his time off much more to our liking. So, because of how things went with Jane, I decided it would be best for Spencer to work the week immediately following new baby (and I would get by on adrenaline – three kids needed getting to school, but this time we had a bus!) and then he would stay home for the week. Then my mom would come out for a week, which would be the week of Thanksgiving, meaning my dad could join us for the holiday. Perfect.
One of the lessons I learned this time around was that God helps things to happen when they need to. There are times, however, that we take things upon ourselves and sometimes He sits back a bit and lets us figure it out. Translation: if you can have your husband be home with you the week after your baby is born, have him home. Really.
The first week Chris was home is kind-of a blur. When I look back at my journal, it is mostly a sleep log. We survived and, thankfully, Spencer took on so much to keep things going. He made lunches the night before for the school kids. He made dinner when it wasn't brought in. He made bread (still does, mostly). Then, the first Friday home, he emailed me a schedule for the next day for when he was on call. Yes, he was on call the first weekend home with Chris. And we all survived.
One thing that was really great were the meals not only from the ward, but also from family. Who says you need to live by family to get help from them?! Caitlin ordered pizza for Spencer and the kids the day after Chris was born. Eden got dinner that Saturday Spencer was on call. It was such a help! My mom ended up not being able to come out for a while week. Bethany went into labor way early and had Luke at 28 weeks and Mom went as often as she could to Denver to help out. For a while we thought she might not make it here. Thankfully she and dad got here the afternoon after Thanksgiving and Mom stayed until Tuesday (more on that later). We are so grateful for whatever time we get! And we are more grateful that Luke and Bethany are doing so well.
First Saturday night. Dinner and “The Lego Movie.”
Chris sleeping in the family room.
Beautiful sleeping baby.
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