Many of you know the battles that we had with Taylor from birth. She was born with jaundice which made it difficult to wake her to get her to eat. The times she did wake up she had trouble latching on to get any nourishment because she was so small and had a small mouth. My milk also was late coming in and when it did finally come in it was very low.
The Lord led us to a wonderful Pediatrician who referred us to a lactation consultant. She was most helpful to us. Eventually we had to start supplementing so Taylor would gain weight since my milk supply never reached her demands. She was falling off the weight chart. After starting solids and supplementing for a few weeks Taylor showed marked improvement and is now at a healthy weight.
The other battle that we struggled with was her lack of good sleep habits. Because of all the other problems she had she developed poor sleep habits (or just never developed good ones). We started trying CIO a couple of times but chickened out b/c she would throw up or we just couldn't take it. Finally she got over her acid reflux and we decided it was time to try again. This time we stuck to it and it is working. Taylor is now sleeping through the night and is finally taking one nap in the afternoon. So this is what sleep is like?!
The first year and a half has been like a roller coaster, but the Lord has been so faithful to us. There have been times that I have cried out to Him b/c I had no strength left. It was during these times that His strength was made perfect in me. I am finally able to just enjoy being a mother instead of focusing on trying to get Taylor to eat or sleep. I am thankful that God has allowed us to take this journey so that we can one day encourage other new moms who may have to travel this same road.
Probably most of you who are reading this blog are friends and family, but if anyone out there happens upon it, then I hope that what I have to share is an encouragement to you. It is my desire to share not only the joys and the pains of motherhood, but the faithfulness of our Lord in the midst of it all.
To God be the Glory!
