So, it's been quite awhile since my last post, and I thought 'What better way to restart our family blog' than with the announcement of our wonderful news: Baby #4 is on the way!!! Coming soon to the Irwin Clan, sometime around the first week in May! This will mean several changes for our family....
1. We will be welcoming a larger vehicle into our home (which, by the way, if anyone hears of any great deals on minivans, pass the word our way!! THe hunt has begun!!). We squeeeeeezed our three babes into my Buick Century, and though it's been a snug fit, we were grateful for the accommodations thus far. However, this New Addition will necessitate another seat, which our Buick cannot provide. Oh shucks! Which means, Mama will now proudly graduate to the "MiniVan Mama" Club!
2. The dynamics of our family will change.... a Boy will bring 'balance' back, with an even 2 girls/2 boys ratio. A Girl, however, will greatly shift the current balance to one of even more feminine influence, with 3 girls/1 boy! Hmmmm... how will it pan out?!?! (On the otherhand, if M and L's prayer for Twins is granted, that could make things even more interesting!!!!)
3. L will absolutely HAVE to dress and undress himself everyday- he will have no choice in the matter! And we will have to turn up the notch on potty training C ! More independence is a blessed thing for a Mama to cultivate in her children, especially when a New Sibling is on the way!! (Can you already see the checkoff list? It may look something like this:
'Things for the Children to Master before arrival of New Baby:
-Dressing and Undressing Selves
-Successfully completing daily chores (currently including Making Beds in the morning, Clearing the Table after meals, Helping to Folding Laundry, Helping with Dishes, Emptying Trashes, Picking up after Selves) Hmmm.... what else can I add to the list?!?!?
-Successful 'Potty Independence' (M is in the clear, L is about 90% there, and C is starting to show signs of 'getting it'!)
-No more squabbles among themselves, Complete Obedience to Mama and Papa, Prompt Bedtimes, Lick Plates Clean at every meal, Daily Naptimes observed by everyone..... hmmm.... what am I forgetting?... Oh yes! Daily Back and Foot Rubs for Mama!
Okay, Okay... a little too idealistic! But nonetheless, there is nothing like the news of a new baby to put things in perspective and motivate me to 'get in shape' (and I'm not just talking about exercise/nutrition, though those certainly are part of it!). In fact, this weekend, my goal is to get our 'Family Schedule' more concretely in writing and really work hard to be more disciplined about sticking to it everyday. I am not a terribly rigid person at all, though I have always recognized the great benefits of having more discipline, and having 'a plan' for each day. My days always go better and my time is always maximized so much more optimally when I do so.
So, please pray for me, for our family, as we attempt to tackle a daily schedule (an "Irwin Family Rule of Life", we'll call it) centered around prayer, and to include chores, homeschool, exercise/family rec, and everything else we need to squeeze in here and there!
And please keep our New Treasure in your prayers- for health, strength, and safety! We are so very excited! Starting this week, Mama is going to be on the hunt for a good midwife...so far we've been very blessed with awesome birth experiences and doctors or midwives. God is so faithful, and I know He will be so this time around as well!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
