We are nearly 10 weeks into welcoming our third baby, our little boy. One thing we were encouraged to do by wise friends and family with our first two babies, was take our time jumping back into things. This was challenging at first because my husband and I both are pretty extraverted. We both love saying “yes!” and we missed events, outings, commitments that we normally would’ve jumped at the opportunity for. It took a lot of adjusting, but what we learned from prioritizing those first few months with our babies was invaluable.
It can be so tempting to try and put everything back together just like it was before the baby comes. We might want to impress, to “bounce back”, and to appear we have everything together. What will likely be the result of this? Finding ourselves with unrealistic expectations, overcommitted, exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed.
When everything looks so different—Our bodies, our homes, our commitments, our capacities, it’s important to take our time. Our best wisdom through change is found in God’s Word and shifting seasons can be such a grace in molding us into who God calls us to be right now. Who our family needs us to be right now.
By God’s grace, we knew how better to intentionally plan for this as we awaited the arrival of our third. We, again, pulled back on a few commitments, we said “no” to future outings and get-togethers, we planned for slow mornings and full days at home in the best way we could.
The result of this? So much time spent together enjoying our new baby boy. Time to physically recover from birth, time to learn new routines and rhythms, time to rest from little sleep, time to catch baby smiles and growing sibling friendships, time to enjoy God’s Word, time to notice, time to go slow and look to the Lord for wisdom and care.
I’ve never been a mom to three littles until right now, and by taking my time… I’m learning to relinquish my assumptions, my efforts, and my needs to the Lord to trust Him and better serve and honor Him and my family.
I know varying circumstances can dictate how this looks for every person, but in whatever way you are able, I’ll ricochet the same encouragement of slowly easing back into life as usual after having a baby…or after any kind of big change for your family! Don’t give in to the pressure to show up just as you were before. Give yourself lots of grace to learn a new way and don’t be afraid to narrow your focus for a time. Stretch your trust muscle and look to the Lord for confidence in how to faithfully serve Him in this season.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 , “The person who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water; it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of doubt or cease producing fruit.”
I had the joy and privilege of being on the Fullness of Joy Podcast with Jessica Mathisen talking about Faithful Motherhood in Seasons of Change if you want to listen!
A few other podcast episodes you might enjoy, too, are:
Fear of God vs. Fear of Man with Ed Welch (This or That)
The Pathway to Liking Our Kids not Just Loving Them (1000 Hrs Outside)
How to Develop Healthier Tech Habits in 2025 (Crossway)
Marriage: Something Borrowed (Family Discipleship)
I am doing the Everyday Gospel Devotional with Paul David Tripp and it has been the perfect supplemental resource to my Bible reading during this postpartum season.
A random one, but the MUFASA music album is just incredible. Before our son was born and without us knowing the gender, we would JAM OUT to the song, “I Always Wanted a Brother,” during our family dance parties. When we found out he was a boy, we could not wait to get back home to the girls and play that song again! Also, Lin Manuel’s work is all over the album so that should be enough for you to listen ;)
Lastly, A little book update: When Our New Baby Comes launched out into the world 2.5 months ago, and it has been a wonderful ride! It has been such blessing to receive pictures, texts, and social media mentions about how you have put this book to good use! I continue to thank each and every one of you who have supported and encouraged me along the way.
My one ask, that I may ask a few times ;), is that you would take the time to review this book if you’ve enjoyed it with your family or gifted it to friends. Book reviews significantly boost a book's traction by increasing visibility and discoverability, making it easier for readers to find the book. If you’ve already done this, thank you!
These healthy lactation cookies from Elisabeth and Butter have been my weekly snack of choice. My friend Kathryn brought me a batch and I devoured them so fast! I make a double batch each time to bake half and freeze half of them. The baked cookies I actually prefer cold and leave in the fridge!
These clogs from Amazon are the perfect blend of casual and cute.
This meal delivery service has been really great for us in this season of life. I wanted healthy, minimal ingredient, easy meals for the weeknights and this does just that. They are pretty simple, but they are nutritious and most take 15 minutes or less to get ready.
These clips are hands down the best on the market. I have really thick hair and almost every other clip falls out by the end of the day but not these!!
This spring cleaning list has been so great to follow! I love that it goes room by room and lists so many things I forget about doing.
Carried by His Grace,
Aubrey Coleman