Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Motherhood is not for Wimps!

My Mom had a key chain with that phrase on it. Along with a wild-eyed, frizzy-haired cartoon mama balancing a phone, a sack of groceries, and a baby (or more) at her heels. Several years later and three kids in tow I have to say that hits the nail on the head. In several ways:

On Sunday, my sis-in-law gave birth to a beautiful little girl, Adrianna. She was a couple of weeks early but a good 6 lbs. 2 oz. However, after snuggling their doll baby for a couple of hours she stopped breathing. When the doctors tried to give her oxygen it made the problem worse but it also helped them quickly identify the problem and they were able to give her some medicine that started working immediately. They found she had an infection that had caused her lungs to stop developing. She was flown to a hospital out of state with an excellent neonatal care unit. Mommy had to stay where she was over night, separated. Heart-wrenching. Adrianna has a 99.99% chance of being perfectly fine but she's had a rough start being on and off ventilators and feeding tubes.

My Mom is keeping their other 3 kids and it's been an interesting week! Kind of fun actually. It feels like we're living a parallel life. Earlier we were on the phone and she was about to change my nephews diaper when she found that more than a diaper change, this kid needed a bath, as the innards of the diaper were dripping down the leg- which ended the phone call. Another time she called to say she actually had a shower and was able to do her hair. (That was a good day!) Although it's crazy busy she would like to be a stay at home grandma. Sticky hugs and wet kisses trump sticky messes and stinky diapers. The good stuff far outweighs the hard stuff.

But it's the hard stuff that makes us grow. And teaches us to love more fully, more unconditionally, more like our Heavenly Father. Whether you're struggling some days to do the best job you can with the children you've been entrusted with, sure it's not enough, or you're missing a child you've lost, or you're waiting for the children you long and hope for, no motherhood is definately not for wimps.

9 comments:

Jenny P. said...

All I have to say is AMEN!

Love this post. :)

Melissa said...

I was going to say the same thing...AMEN!! I think my heart stopped when I read that your sister's baby wasn't breathing. I was so relieved to hear that she is doing well now!!! Are you ready for your Conference talk?? I'm so EXCITED to hear you speak!!!

Marsha said...

We have been in similar situations and have had good outcomes so I am sure your new little niece will be fine. I loved hearing your mother's tales. Is that not the truth? A shower is a luxury item here. Not to mention a moment alone in the restroom.

C. Leah said...

Love that post Dest! :)

Glad to hear that your niece is doing okay, and hopefully will be 100% better soon.

Lew said...

Thank you! I totally needed that today (sorry for whining to you on the phone today...I've been doing that too much lately). Anyway, thanks for reminding me that I'm not a wimp :-)

The Staley Family said...

Dest, Thanks for the post I hope you niece is doing better!The good definately trumps the not so fun. I would change a million diapers everyday just to see my little guy smile. Being a mom gets better everyday. Thanks for all your help through the rought times! Love Ya

Gallup Family said...

Well, now we're even with the posts that make each other cry. I read this and then told Jared to read it but have a tissue handy. Thanks for including us in your blog. OH, and by the way, Adrianna is on an IV getting some sugar so she's getting something to help her grow. Hopefully she'll get food tomorrow.

janet said...

I got to sleep in today! I had a nice long soak in a hot bathtub! & the crazy thing is I wish I still had my little rug-rats here with me!!! But the other grandma thought she needed a turn with them. We went and saw Adrianna last night and she is doing so good. Seeing all those "itty bitty" babies made us realize how truly blessed we are, and my heart went out to all the families who are dealing with such sick little babies. very humbling.
Dest, are you ready for confrence?? You'll do great! Love yeah

Julie said...

Our prayers are with your brother and his family. Thank you for those way uplifting thoughts on motherhood, I needed it!