Lactation Cookies

* This post may contain affiliate links. 


Have you ever heard of lactation cookies?

I admit, the first time I heard of these cookies many years ago, I thought they had breast milk as one of the ingredients.

Nope. Not the case.

In actuality, they're cookies eaten to increase milk supply and are full of all sorts of healthy goodness.

A cookie that's good for baby and good for me??? Yes, please! (Really though, you had me at cookie.)

I nursed my babies a total of 89 months. That's nearly 7 1/2 years of breastfeeding.

God designed women's bodies in a miraculous way. Most times, if a mom is exclusively breastfeeding, she will be able to produce sufficient milk for her baby. Sometimes though, she might need a boost in her supply. And who could turn down cookies if they're going to help you feed your baby, right?

These cookies contain galactagogues that are believed to increase milk supply: oats, flaxseed, and brewer's yeast. They have iron, fiber, omega-3, vitamin B, and many other nutritional benefits and healthy calories that are not only good for nursing moms, but the whole family, as well. I still make these cookies for my family, especially during road trips. It gives everyone a bit of a treat during the drive without completely loading up on sugar and helps them stay fuller longer because of the whole grain oats. And if you're looking for an even healthier snack, you can cut back on the sugar, too. In fact, these are so versatile that you can change it up based on what you have on hand. Toss in some extra nuts and seeds, swap the almond butter for peanut butter, increase any of the galactagogues, use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, add in some wheat germ, or even substitute all-purpose flour for the whole wheat. My crew isn't crazy about big chunks of nuts in their baked goods, so I pulverize them (the nuts, not the family, ha) in my food processor. That way we still get the flavor and nutritional benefits.

The cookies are soft, but dense, and full of flavor. They freeze beautifully (both raw and baked) and are a perfect gift to take to a new mom to help her boost her milk and give her a healthier snack to grab during those crazy first few weeks with a newborn. The recipe makes about 4 dozen, so there's plenty to share with the new mama and some leftover for yourself.

Or just do what I do and make a double recipe. Because if your family is anything like mine, these cookies won't last long.




Lactation Cookies
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour                   
1 teaspoon baking soda                                       
1 teaspoon cinnamon                                     
1 teaspoon salt                                                 
3/4 cup almond butter (or peanut butter)                               
1/2 cup butter, softened                         
1/4 cup sugar                                         
1/2 cup brown sugar                               
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons brewer’s yeast
1 cup milled (ground) flaxseed
1/3 cup water
2 eggs
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chocolate chips
1 3/4 cup rolled oats

Directions:
1. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a bowl.
2. In a large bowl, beat peanut butter, butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, brewer’s yeast, flaxseed, and water until creamy.
3. Mix in eggs.
4. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
5. Mix in nuts and chocolate chips. Slowly mix in oats.
6. Place tablespoon-sized balls of dough (I use a cookie scoop) onto ungreased cookie sheets and lightly press down each ball.
7. Bake 12-13 minutes at 350°F.


Recipe adapted from Kathleen Major, PNP, RN.

* Some of the links in the content above are affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I recommend products or services that I have used personally and all the text and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 

Wordless Wednesday 3/18/15

Wordless Wednesday 2/25/15

Nicholas' Birth Story: Part 2

This is part 2 of Nicholas' birth story. You can find part 1 here.

Saturday morning, I got up with the kids and let Leighton sleep in a little. He had been so busy the past few weeks between working 50+ hours at his job and then caring for everything at home because of my bed rest. I spent just a few minutes in the kitchen cleaning up, we ate breakfast, and then I spent the remainder of the day in bed. Leighton had to be at the church that afternoon to practice for the Christmas cantata at church the next day. Since he is the choir director, it was imperative that he be there. I assured him that I'd be fine on my own. The kids sat in bed with me reading books and then eventually watching a movie as I napped.

Around 5:00 p.m., a contraction woke me up. I was surprised by the intensity of it. I tried to fall back asleep, futilely thinking that maybe I could prevent another from happening. 

But another happened. They weren't incredibly strong, but strong enough that they were slightly uncomfortable. 

Leighton got home then, thankfully. I did not dare stand up, but lay there drinking water, willing my body to cooperate. I sent my mom a text, letting her know the situation. Because I am prone to labor quickly, the little time we have is precious. I wasn't convinced it was for sure labor, but I wanted her to be aware.

I continued to contract sporadically. 7 minutes. 4 minutes. 10 minutes. 6 minutes.

Leighton called my parents and asked them to run to the store to purchase an inflatable pool, just in case, since my birthing pool had not arrived yet. I did not want to birth in the bathtub for the third time (bathtub birth 1 and bathtub birth 2). It's uncomfortable, restricting, and too shallow to experience the soothing benefits of the warm water. I longed for another "perfect" birth. 

It wasn't long after that that we started to accept that labor was not stopping and baby was indeed coming. Since Eileen, my midwife, was out of town, Leighton called Heather, the nurse midwife who had assisted with some of my prenatal appointments. 

No answer.

He called again. Still no answer.

Now what? I had teased him throughout the pregnancy that no one was going to make it to the birth and he'd have to deliver the baby by himself. My joke wasn't as funny in reality. 

Leighton called Eileen to ask her opinion of what to do.

No answer. 

Now things were getting interesting. He called Heather again. And again, there was no answer. 

My parents showed up at our house--pool-less, because stores don't carry summer swimming pools in the middle of December, go figure--and we discussed our options. We decided to head to their house and use their jacuzzi tub for the birth since it is much deeper than our tub at home. I started listing off items--birthing kit, pajamas, diapers, clothes for baby, lavender oil--while Leighton started filling the bag. The plan was to head over by ourselves while my mom and dad packed clothes for the kids, got them ready, and met us at their house.

Somewhere during Leighton's rush to leave, I decided to stay. My contractions were getting more intense. Because of my prior fast labors (including my 45 minute birth, from first contraction to baby's first breath), I didn't want to birth the baby on my mom's kitchen floor, or worse yet, our van. No, we were staying home. I asked Leighton to fill the bathtub, because even though it's not ideal, it was a better option than birthing on an unprepared bed. Cleanup in a bathtub is almost as simple as pulling a drain, more or less.

And then? Eileen called back. And while Leighton was talking to her, Heather called on the other phone. We went from having no midwives to having 2 on the phone at once. 

I continued to labor, my dad watched the kids, my mom went back and forth between them and me, and Leighton tried to decipher his conversation with Heather because of bad reception. Eventually, through the broken call, it was determined that another midwife was going to come. Heather was an hour and a half away.

So here we were 4 weeks before my due date, with no birthing pool, and my midwife on the other side of the country, with our backup midwife too far away, and a midwife that we've never met coming to help.

We like to keep things interesting.

The next little while was filled with typical labor activities: getting in the bathtub, getting out of the bathtub because I felt like labor was stalling, walking around my room, putting books away on the shelf, walking some more, trying to find a comfortable position, eating half a clementine before my taste buds betrayed me, walking, walking, walking. I eventually climbed into bed to relax through the contractions.

At that point, the backup midwife's backup showed up. She checked my vitals, listened to the fetal heart tones, and filled out paperwork. Then she quietly sat to the side and let us do our thing. Me lying in bed, Leighton at my side encouraging me, and my mom close by reassuring me as well.  I fell into such a relaxed state that I had a couple times where it felt as though I had dozed off between contractions with the sensation of the next tightening waking me up again. It was a strange experience.

It wasn't long before I felt like I needed to go to the bathroom. As I walked from the bed, a contraction came so strongly that my legs refused to hold me. Leighton supported the weight of my shaking body as I tried to focus on my breathing. The contraction passed and we made our way to the other room.

I emptied my bladder and then climbed back into the warm water in the tub. Instantly, my stomach contracted, this time breaking my water in the process. Two pushes later, and Leighton delivered our baby, by himself, just like I had joked. Between this being our fifth birth and having a midwife there in the room, he had all the confidence he needed to calmly and skillfully help bring our child into this world. It was a precious moment for us both.

first chiropractic adjustment

As we pulled the baby to my chest, my mom announced, "It's another boy!" And I laughed, just like I said I would if we added a fourth boy to the family. Throughout the pregnancy, I was absolutely convinced he was a girl. Wow, was I wrong, haha! This baby has been full of surprises from his conception to the way I felt during the pregnancy to his early birth to his gender. I wonder what other surprises this little one has in store for us.

I was still sitting in the bathtub, cuddling my newest blessing, when Heather arrived.She had missed the birth, but was there in time to preform the after-birth duties: weighing, measuring, checking, examining.

Nicholas Samuel Leaf
5 lbs. 18" born at 8:19 p.m. on 12/13/14

Though he was born many weeks before we expected, he has done so very well and has not shown many signs of being a preemie. Today, over a month later, he is thriving and has added lots of squishy baby fat. The other kids completely adore him--constantly hugging, kissing, holding, and loving on him. They enjoy helping me with him and are very concerned when he's unhappy. Every time he cries, Tyler assumes it's because he wants a kiss. He rushes over and plants a kiss anywhere on little Nicholas--head, hands, feet, belly. If he continues to cry, Tyler tells me, "Mommy, kiss him!" From the very first moment, this baby was very, very loved.

There is no denying that this little one was planned by God, perfectly for us. He is the best surprise we never knew we needed.

Nicholas, I feel so honored to be chosen to be your mommy. May God give me the strength to raise you to serve Him and to be the mother you need me to be. I love you, little one.      

Nicholas' Birth Story: Part 1

I'm experiencing a bit of déjà vu today. I can start this post the same way I started another nearly 3 years ago:

I expected to be welcoming a new life into the world this week. Instead, we're celebrating with our one month old baby boy.

While the timing is the same, the stories are very different.

After being surprised by our last baby's early appearance, I was very proactive in trying to keep this baby in until close to my due date. Eileen, my midwife, teased, "You're going to make it to at least 39 weeks, right?" I had every intention of doing so. Throughout the pregnancy, I took a 25 billion probiotic supplement to fight any possible infections, made my own mama's herbal tea to strengthen my uterus, and supplemented with various vitamins and minerals in addition to my prenatal vitamins to overcome any potential problems and ensure that I was overall healthy. I determined to do whatever it took to birth a healthy, full-term baby.

Even though this was my most difficult pregnancy as far as nausea and exhaustion, everything else seemed to be going well. Each prenatal appointment showed the same positive results: vitals were good, urinalysis was good, weight gain was good, baby's growth was good. Everything was good.

Until week 33.

Leighton had gotten free tickets to the U of M football game. We dropped the kids off with my parents and headed to The Big House. Row 23 right at the 50 yard line. But even better than the seats was the company. Just the two of us, for hours. We talked and laughed, cuddled under a blanket in the rain, watched the game, and just enjoyed being together. We left with a few minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, partly because we wanted to miss the rush of people and partly because I was physically spent. Sitting on bleachers for 3 hours was more than enough for my pregnant self.

We speed walked the mile or so from our seats to the van. Between my achy back and round ligament pains, I was uncomfortable. Leighton suggested multiple times that we slow down, but I figured the faster we got back, the sooner we were out of the cold and the sooner I could relax.   

We stopped for some coffee to warm us up on the way home, I put a disposable heating pad on my back, and I reclined my seat. Already I was feeling better. Everything was good. 

And then, as we pulled off the expressway, I felt a contraction. Eh, no big deal. I had been experiencing Braxton Hicks (first pregnancy to have them) for weeks.

Then I felt another not long after. Ok, that was a little odd. I looked at the time, just in case.

And then, another. Four minutes. I casually mentioned to Leighton that I was having contractions. The look on my face betrayed me, and he became concerned. We tried not to worry as we continued to drive.

Four minutes. Again.

The fifth contraction came as we pulled into my parents' driveway.
 

 
I lay down and started drinking glass after glass of water. After a couple hours, the contractions slowed. We left the kids there for the night, not knowing if a hospital trip was in our very near future. We headed home and went to bed. It was there that I spend the rest of the weekend.

Though the contractions weren't coming as quickly, they were, indeed, still coming, both randomly and every time I stood. Throughout the course of the next week or so, I spoke with Eileen many times. We discussed every possible scenario and what actions needed to be taken to keep the baby safe. Over time, it became apparent that complete bed rest was best.

Bed rest. Ugh. I had been on bed rest with Jake also. Three weeks of sitting around doing nothing. But that wasn't really that big of a deal. We were living with my parents at the time, so they took care of everything at home, and the school got a substitute to teach my classes. But this time? This was different. I had my own house and 4 young children to care for. The first week especially was difficult for me. Sure, my mom was coming over every week day to help and Leighton was managing everything in the evenings and weekends, but emotionally, I was having a difficult time. I was the one who was supposed to be cleaning. I was the one who should have been cooking. I was the one who needed to help my kids.

But I couldn't.

I couldn't, and that hurt. After Tyler's early birth, I so wanted this birth to go perfectly. Now, I wasn't even sure I'd have a home birth at all. Of course I wanted another home birth and to actually birth in the birthing pool (instead of the bathtub, again), but more than just for the experience of it, I wanted it to happen because that meant the baby was far enough along to safely be born. I did everything I could to ensure it went as planned, but it wasn't enough. I knew that bed rest was the absolute best option for all of us--especially baby--but it was not easy.

Sometime during the second week, I changed my poor-me attitude. If I was truly going to do what was best for baby and still hope for the birth I planned, then I needed to fully accept that bed rest was the only way.  I enjoyed being with my mom every day, appreciated meals sent from our church, did my Christmas shopping online, worked on some projects for the kids, and continued with our schooling--all while sitting on the couch. I set aside my pride and stopped thinking but I want to do it all! and instead focused on I will do what's best.  

Things went on like that for 3 weeks. There were constant questions: how long will baby stay in? will we make it until at least 36 weeks? how much can I get done for Christmas after coming off bed rest before the work sends me into labor? How and What if became regulars in my thinking. I couldn't change any of it, but I am always analyzing things and like to be prepared. I joked that everything was just going to stop and baby was going to be 2 weeks late.

I had put off purchasing and gathering my supplies because we weren't sure if there was going to be a home birth. As my uterus stopped contracting from the lack of activity and we got closer to the full-term mark, I ordered my birthing kit and pool. The kit arrived a few days later, the pool did not.

As long as I refrained from much exertion, the contraction were practically nonexistent. I started to believe that we just might have a January birth after all. Eileen went out of town for a few days, leaving the number of a nurse midwife (who had accompanied her during both Tyler's and Nicholas' prenatal appointments), just in case something were to happen. I was not the least bit nervous with her leaving. I was going to stay on bed rest until she returned the following Tuesday. At that point, I would be 36 weeks and my kit and pool would be here. If I went into labor, we were ready.

Except we never made it to Tuesday.

To be continued . . .Part 2 of Nicholas' birth story.

Wordless Wednesday 1/14/15

Wordless Wednesday 1/7/15

Things That Make Me Smile 1/2/15

Jake (9), Alyssa (6½), Zac (5), Tyler (2½), Nicholas (newborn)

Happy Friday! Things are getting back to normal around here, or at least a new normal with a new baby. The decorations are put away, school is back in full-force, and I am enjoying having no physical restrictions again. If you missed it yesterday, I posted part 11 of Kids Say the Funniest Things! Pretty much, it's Things That Make Me Smile on steroids, haha. You're sure to read something that will make you laugh. But first, let's Smile with this week's quotes!

1. Jake: "Zac looks so much like Tyler. I keep getting confused." 

2. Zac: "How do you say Z in English?" 

3. Listening to Jake and Alyssa argue about who makes better scrambled eggs.

4. Zac, while playing: "Am I good or bad?"

Tyler: "Yep!"

Zac: "But am I a bad guy or a good guy?"

Tyler: "Yes!"

5. 

6. Tyler: "You get my blocks?"

Me: "I can't right now; I'm feeding baby Nicholas. Daddy will be home soon though."

Tyler: "I want Gramma! Where's Gramma?"

Me: "She's at her house."

Tyler: "I need Gramma!"

7. Listening to Alyssa tell Nicholas the story of the candy cane.

8. Zac, singing: "We three kings of glory and tar . . ."

9. Alyssa and I were sitting and playing with Nicholas. She walked away and said, "If he starts crying, could you calm him down, please? I need to get my chapstick."

10. Jake, talking to me about ages: "I'm only in single digits. You're in double digits. And pretty high double digits, too." 

11. Nicholas, 2 weeks old.

12. Tyler, praying for dinner: "Thank you that Mommy gets up . . ."

13. Jake, holding Nicholas: "Aww, his toes are so tiny! They're like pieces of corn!"

14. I had locked the bathroom door so Tyler wouldn't follow me in. A few seconds later, I heard the knob rattle and his concerned little voice, "Oh, no! You stuck, Mommy?"

15. Tyler, whining: "Lyssa stepped on my ni-night! She needs a spankin', Mommy!"

Me: "Oh, does she? {calling across the house} Alyssa, do you need a spanking?"

Tyler: "She said yes!"

What made you Smile this week?

 

Things That Make Me Smile 12/26/14

Jake (9), Alyssa (6½), Zac (5), Tyler (2½)

Merry Christmas! What a crazy, fun-filled week it's been. We received many blessings and spent much time with family. I love this time of year! But between weeks of bed rest and a new baby and then all the Christmas festivities, I'm ready to get back to a regular schedule again. A little less chaos and a little more normal. Though with 5 young kids, I suppose chaos is normal, haha. I hope you had a wonderful holiday as well and had many reasons to Smile.  

1. Zac, looking at fog: "Why is it blurry outside?" 

2. Jake: "You know how you can tell Santa's fake? You go visit him and he asks, 'What's your name?' He's supposed to know everybody's name."

3. Jake: "The day after the day after tomorrow is Christmas Eve!" 

4. Alyssa, sucking on a piece of paper, in a funny voice: "I think I like regular paper better."

Me: "Compared to what?"

Alyssa: "Inked."

5.

6. Jake and Alyssa read portions of the Christmas story before we opened presents on Christmas day. After Alyssa read her verses, Jake leaned over and whispered, "Good job reading. Don't worry, you'll get better at the harder words." 

7. Tyler: "Mommy, may I kiss you, please?"

8. Zac: "Isn't this so cool having a new baby? I love him so much."

9. Jake, bouncing a ping pong ball on a paddle: "I'm trying to beat my record."

Alyssa: "What is your record?"
Jake: "I don't know."

10. Zac, handing me a diaper for Nicholas, laughing: "They're so little!"

11. Tyler asks to pray every day at dinner and always says the same thing: "Jesus for our food and amen."

12.

13. The kids were playing with Nicholas when I came to take him to change his diaper. As I picked him up, Tyler said, "Hey, you no steal that baby!"

14. Tyler recognizing the number 29.

15. Jake: "I had to pick a different Nancy Drew book to read to Nicholas. The other one had ghosts in it, and I didn't want to scare him."

16. Alyssa: "I have a mute button."
Jake: "You have a mute button?!? Do you know how many times I could have used that?"

What made you Smile this week?

 

Things That Make Me Smile 12/19/14

Jake (9), Alyssa (6½), Zac (5), Tyler (2½), Nicholas (newborn)

Happy Weekend! We received a big Smile this week--our precious baby boy was born! All that bed rest paid off as we made it long enough to birth at home. Things didn't go quite as planned, but everything worked out, and baby Nicholas and Mommy are both doing well. The other kids absolutely adore him, as you will read. We have many, many reasons to Smile.

1. Zac: "What if we just keep having boys? More boys and more boy and more boys. What if we have a gazillion boys?"

2. Alyssa: "He's sleeping and eating! Babies are so talented."

3. Jake: "Look how tiny his ears are! They look like mini cookies, you know like the little Oreos in the snack cups."

4. Jake, about Nicholas: "He's so soft and fuzzy, like a peach." 

5. Zac, about Nicholas: "He's just so cute, I can't stop looking at him!"

6. 

7. Me: "What are you doing? You're supposed to be in bed."

Tyler: "Yeah, I supposed to be kiss this baby."

8. Jake, about Nicholas: "He's squeaking! Like a trumpet."

9. Tyler: "I like this baby, Mommy! I like him. I like baby. He's cute, too."

10. My mom was holding Nicholas and patting his butt, trying to get him to stop fussing. Zac moved her hand, starting patting his butt, and said, "I think I have the right move" as Nicholas stopped crying.

11. Tyler, about Nicholas: "Oh, no, he's crying again! Let me kiss him again!"

12. I was taking pictures before the children's Christmas program at church. Nicholas was crying, Tyler was covering his ears saying, "Don't like that baby cryin'!", and the other 3 were laughing at them both.

13. Tyler: {Constant talking. Nonstop. Talking. Talking. Loudly talking.}
Me, frustrated: "Tyler, do you ever stop?"
Tyler, sweetly: "Hi, Mommy. I love you."

14. Tyler, when Alyssa walked out ready for the Christmas program: "Oh, Lyssa, you so pretty!"

15. Tyler, about Nicholas: "Let me see his other ear."

Me: "Not right now; he's eating."

Tyler: "Oh, he's eating your . . . button?" 

16. Listening to the other kids admire Nicholas: "Aw, he smiled! He stuck out his tongue! He made a funny face! . . . He blinked!"

17. Listening to Jake read Nicholas his book. 

18. Zac, about his Christmas ornaments: "Mine are very fragile . . . 'Cause they're hot-glued."

19. Me: "Nicholas is going to be a week old tomorrow."

Jake: "Already? It seems like just a few days ago he was a few days old."

20. Zac, watching me nurse the baby: "So he's eating? Chocolate milk or white milk?" 


What made you Smile this week?

Wordless Wedesday 12/17/14

Things That Make Me Smile 11/28/14

Jake (8½), Alyssa (6½), Zac (5), Tyler (2½)

Happy Friday and Happy Thanksgiving! This week has been very different at our house. I've been having some complications with baby and since we're only 33 weeks along, I've been restricted to the couch and bed all week, trying to keep this baby in for a bit longer. Leighton, the kids, and my parents have helped out so much. It's certainly not an ideal situation, but one of utmost importance. I've said this entire pregnancy that God is teaching me to slow down and that I'm not in control. They are hard lessons for me. Though things have not been going "my" way, we have much to be thankful for and many reasons to Smile. 

1. Jake, last week (oops) when Tyler was spending the night at my parents': "I can hear Tyler coming down the stairs. That's how much I miss him."

2. Zac, who is 19 months younger: "I liked when Alyssa was a baby."

3. Jake: "How do birds talk to each other? On Twitter!"

 
4.

5. Tyler, trying to stop Alyssa from feeling the baby move so only he could, "No, Lyssa! You ruin it!"

6. Jake: "Why couldn't the farmer talk? Because he was horse!"

7. Zac, because my mom picked Tyler up for the day so I could rest: "Today's your lucky day! Now you can work on organizing the basement more!"

8. Tyler: "Mommy, I want snack."

Me: "What kind of snack?"

Tyler: "Yellow!"

9. The kids wanted to make mini volcanoes, but I couldn't go to the basement to gather the needed supplies. They found everything they needed, set it up, and had so much fun experimenting. 

10. Zac, after being awake for only a little while: "I'm having so much fun today!" 

11. Alyssa: "I'm burning cold."

12. Tyler: "Ty-Ty want someping eat."
Me: "What do you want?"
Tyler: "Um, candy!"
Me: "No."
Tyler: "On crackers?" 

What made you Smile this week?

 

Things That Make Me Smile 7/18/14

 Jake (8½), Alyssa (6), Zac (4½), Tyler (2)

Happy Friday! I had a checkup with my midwife this week and got to hear the baby's heartbeat. It's one of the most precious sounds and always makes me tear up. I'm now into my second trimester. Most days, I'm feeling a little bit better and having more energy. I'm sure my family appreciates that! Lots of reasons to smile all around.

1. Alyssa: "Tyler is a trouble baby."
Me: "Sometimes he's a good boy."
Alyssa: "Yeah, sometimes. Sometimes he's sweet."
Jake: "Sometimes he's so sweet he's like a baby flower."

2. Tyler, about Jake's Lego car creation: "Awesome, Mommy! Awesome!"

3. Jake: "Tyler Joseph! Don't you dare eat my goblin!"

4. Alyssa asked Jake to read her a book. 

5. Alyssa noticed that I had goosebumps on my arm. She ran off and came back with a super hero cape. "Here, this will help you get warm." 

6. Me; after Tyler went potty one morning: "Should we get you some undies?"
Tyler, running away laughing: "No! Nakey butt!"  

7. Tyler bathed himself (and the table and the floor) in his yogurt. As I was washing him up, he smiled sweetly and said, "Gank gou, Mama." 

8. I had to change Ty's underwear since he had an accident. I showed him the new undies with a dino on the the back and jokingly told him, "The dinosaur's going to bite your butt if you pee on him." That may not have been the best idea. It took a bit of encouragement before he'd put them on. Haha, oops. The look on his face was pretty funny though.

9. I found Tyler in the kitchen eating suckers and working on opening 5 more.

10. Alyssa, reluctantly: "If God can wait a whole year, then I can wait for 10 minutes."

11. Zac, showing me his red arm: "This was an accident."
Me: "What happened?"
Zac: "Ty bit me."
Me: "How was that an accident?"
Zac: "When I started crying, he stopped."
 
12. Alyssa: "Mom, have you ever robbed a bank? I'm guessing no."

What made you Smile this week?

Adding Another Branch

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, 

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

These verses have been on my mind lately. When I get overwhelmed, when I start to question, when I fear, I remember those words. 

God's ways are not our ways. His way is always better.

And though we know that to be true, it's not always easy to accept it, to make it our own.


I wrote this post nearly 3 years ago. (Wow, it's hard to believe that much time has passed.) In it, I mention the words of the wise women that I know, about knowing when your family is complete. After baby #4 was born we were complete. We knew it. Many people have asked over the last couple years, when are you having another one? We'd laugh and respond with we're not; we're done. Our family is complete.

But then something happened. About 6 months ago, I really started getting this feeling that we were going to have another. Oh, it wasn't my plan, but I felt it. Little did I know at the time that it was God preparing me, working on my heart. Trying to get me to accept His plan. I kept these thoughts to myself for months. Finally, one evening as Leighton and I were alone, I asked, "Do you feel like we're going to end up with 5 kids?" He immediately and emphatically replied, "Yes." God was working on him, too. I didn't know it at the time, but I was already carrying another precious miracle within my womb.

I wish I could say that I surrendered immediately to His will, that I took His plan and made it mine. I did not. I had my own plan. My own desires. My own fears. Every reason I had began with I.

I want . . .I don't want . . . I was planning . . . I was going to . . . How am I . . .  

I

I

I

I can be such an ugly, selfish word.

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. 
Psalm 127:3-5

God has chosen, in His perfect will, to reward us with another child. I can continue to question and fear, or I can remember Happy is the man . . .

Happy is the woman who can hear that new heartbeat.

Happy is the woman who will feel the moving and kicking of a growing child.

Happy is the woman who gets to snuggle another newborn babe.

Happy is the woman who gets to indulge in that new-baby smell.

Happy is the woman who can kiss 10 more tiny toes.

Happy is the woman who can feel those little fingers grasp her own.

Happy is the woman who can calm the crying child like no one else can.

Happy is the woman who can nurse and comfort another baby.

Happy is the woman whose heart will grow yet again to fully love another precious life.

Happy is the woman who has been privileged and entrusted with another blessing.

Happy is the woman.


The kids are already happy, in fact, they're thrilled. (Well, the older 3 are; Tyler is pretty clueless about it.) They've always wanted to have another sibling. I find it ironic that Jake asked if I was going to be ready for a 5th child this year, just a few weeks before I became pregnant. God was using my oldest child to guide me.  

Regardless of what I had planned, I know for sure this is God's will for our life.

~~~~~~~~~~

Because we got asked when we were expecting last time, and I'm sure we'll get asked again, let me answer a few questions:

Yes, we know what causes this. 

Yes, we know that it's "preventable."

Yes, we already have a TV.

Yes, my hands are full. 

Yes, this baby was planned (if not by us, for sure by God).

And yes, I suppose we are crazy.  

~~~~~~~~~~

Though at times I still struggle, I will remember that God's way is perfect. He has seen fit to abundantly bless us and add another branch to our family tree. And I will be happy.

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