Reflections on Rachel & real life

I have a theory about third-born girls being feisty & funny. I can name several third-born girls – my sister, nieces, and daughters of friends quickly come to mind – who are so much fun to be around. They’re the kind of people have a confidence that keeps them from being wallflowers, a joy that lights up a room, and a sense of humor that makes even adults chuckle.

Honestly, I always wanted a third-born girl, even though, as many of you know, the short version of our long story is we weren’t sure we would get to adopt a third time. But we did … a third-born girl who is feisty and funny. She’s proven my theory true in the best ways.

She’s proving the whole idea that rules don’t apply to third-born kids true too … but perhaps that’s because Greg and I are a little more laid back in our parenting this time around. And speaking of birth order, here’s a fun fact: All three of my kids’ birth order is the same in our family as it would have been in their biological families. Only God.

When we found out we were indeed going to bring a third child – a girl! – into our family, I immediately anticipated her bringing joy to our family. She has, even more than I expected! And I’m pretty sure she even knows she’s funny. She makes the best faces. She has a squinty-eyed smile I adore and one our best friends taught her to howl like a wolf. Pure joy, this girl – just as the people who sit behind us in church and get samples of all her faces!

Rachel is 15 months old this week. She weighs 23 pounds and 15 ounces (85th percentile) and is 32 inches long (90th percentile). She is down to one nap, mostly wears 24-month clothes, loves milk & Welch’s fruit snacks, adores her siblings and anyone who will make faces back at her, and is enjoying all the festivities this Christmas season.

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And speaking of Christmas, how about some week-before-Christmas mom confessions?

Greg had two meetings Monday night, when the kids and I were deep into embrace-Christmas-break mode. So we watched “Frozen” while eating popcorn, apples, and cookies for dinner. And Rachel sat in the high chair the whole time, chowing down on popcorn and actually watching the movie.

Cate keeps telling people after Ben brought Rachel the stuffed Olaf she got as a gift last weekend, she looked at the screen, saw Olaf, and then kissed her stuffed version. I have no idea if that’s true. I mean, she did kiss it. But she kisses lots of things. I just have no idea if she really recognized the animated character on TV as the same as the stuffed version on her high chair tray.

Ben (7) and Rachel (15 months) had well checkups at the pediatrician this week. Ben’s appointment was on Monday and Rachel’s on Tuesday. By the time I realized Rachel needed an appointment, Monday didn’t have any well openings left and I didn’t want to move Ben’s appointment because he prefers to see a specific doctor. So two days in a row. But I purposefully planned them at 11 a.m. so while we were out and about in town for those we could also eat lunch.

Oh, and lunch! At Ben’s appointment the nurse was going through the list of questions: Does he eat well? Does he like fruits and vegetables? Does he eat fast food once a week or less?

Um, depends on the week.

And by Tuesday afternoon, I had already fed him and his siblings fast food twice. Here’s to this week, and all the real-life moments that highlight our need for the Savior who was born in a lowly manger. God is with us – regardless of how many fast food lunches or popcorn dinners we have.