Keeping It Real

I'm sure, by now, many of us have heard this quote from Steven Furtick.  It came to mind again the other day as I was sorting through pictures for our Christmas card.  I kept tossing aside so many photos because Ellery was crying, or my hair was in my face, or Michael's shirt had spit up all over it.  

(Can't blame him....these days there are very few articles of clothing without spit up on them.)

As I was tossing aside anything less than "perfect," I was disappointed in myself.  Michael and I never want to pretend like we have it all together or that this adventure we've begun with a newborn baby is always like the Johnson & Johnson commercials (baby coos and cuddles with a mom, who looks effortlessly put together.) 

Over this past month, we've discovered that that's not at all how life with a newborn looks.  In fact, I feel sure that's not how it should look.  I've been reminded of this many times this month.  

Though our Elle is a true blessing from God, beautiful, healthy, and so sweet natured, we aren't promised a perfect life.  We do know, though, that there will be crying, there will be 2 am feedings, there will be countless diaper changes, and there might just be those times when it doesn't seem worth it.  At the end of a long  day, though, we know it is!  

What an honor and privilege to be entrusted with this sweet little life.  

We wouldn't trade it for the world; but on this blog (and in life) I always want to be real rather than just sharing the highlight reel.  I love looking at gorgeous pictures of perfect families doing perfect things in perfect lighting; but even more, I admire those families and moms who aren't afraid to be authentic and imperfect, who don't hide the messes, but learn from them.

Michael and I want to be that kind of family.  

So in that spirit, here are some glimpses of Elle's last week:

Poor baby!  She's such a trooper usually but last week just wasn't her week.

It was a hard one in some ways, but we've already learned so much along the way. At the beginning of the week, our sweet natured girl seemed to be in so much pain.  She was crying non-stop each evening for 3 hours or so.  The crying was hard to hear (at one point, I had to give her to Michael and just go for a drive.)  But even more than that, it was heartbreaking to watch her in so much pain.  

THIS is where the advice of a wonderfully authentic friend saved the day.  I called her in tears and she first calmly reminded me that these days don't last forever and it's "just a season."  

"Before you know it," she said, "it gets great!  You're halfway home already."

I could have driven across the country at that moment just to hug her.

She then told me about her sleepless nights, her bouts with PPD, and a baby who cried endlessly for the first three months.  I have known this sweet friend for years, but never had I been so grateful for her authenticity and unwillingness to pretend that her life was perfect.

This was a greater gift than 6 weeks worth of casseroles to fill our fridge.

The next morning, the doctor suggested that I cut out the dairy in my diet to see if Ellery had an intolerance.  

NO DAIRY??  Oh my!

But this tiny person was worth it:

Within a few days, our little Ellery Gray was back!  The crying spells subsided and Elle returned to her usual laid-back, precious little self.

In all of the chaos, though, we've been reminded not to compare ourselves to other seemingly "perfect" families, or even to what we imagined parenthood to be.  We're figuring this out one day at a time and the really wonderful thing is....we're not alone.

We are surrounded by such incredible family members who step in at just the right time, friends who have the boldness to be real, and most importantly a God who grows us up in the midst of challenges.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me."

2 Corinthians 12:9