[1] Things continue to go well here in the Blakey home. Tyler’s eating and sleeping cycles are becoming more consistent making naps and nights better. I’ve noticed that his wake times are longer and he is more alert during them. He can’t really “play” with us yet, but I’m told the way newborns play is by staring and Tyler is already a pro. During the times he is alert Bobby and I will hold him facing us and his eyes will open wide as he studies our faces. Sometimes he even copies them. It’s really sweet. I’ve also noticed that this week he smiles more, the only problem is that it’s always in his sleep, not due to some clever antics of Bobby’s. I guess we have to wait a little longer for that. All in all things are going wonderfully. We’re almost done with all of the dinner deliveries from people from our church. That was so nice last week to not have to think about making meals. This week I’ve cooked a meal or two now, vacuumed, and done some laundry…it’s nice to be recovered and renewed!

Perhaps the most noticeable change in our house these days is how quiet it is. I don’t know what it is about having a baby that makes you whisper all the time! When people come over they say “hi!” at the door in a normal talking volume and then when they step inside it drops down to barely there and I feel like I might have to read their lips to understand them! I think it’s so funny that we do this because Tyler sleeps fine with music or the television on and with voices at normal volume. I guess without even trying, we’re all sensitive to the new little person in the house.

I’ve been giving much of my time and thought these days to prayer. I’m not going to be taking Tyler out to church or youth group meetings for a couple more weeks still, so I really miss all my girls and getting to hear how they are and all their funny stories. I can’t go hang out with them and since some of them have colds, they can’t come here. At first I was frustrated by this until I realized that I can really spend this time praying for them. I’m not yet able to go do all the things I would like but one thing I can never do enough of is pray.

I’ve never considered myself very good at praying. I know that this is the only way that I can communicate with God and am aware that it is a great privilege to do so. Someone once told me that the extent to which I devoted myself to prayer determined the quality of my spiritual life. I have often been challenged by this because it is easy to forget to pray sometimes. Maybe this is a struggle all my own, but it seems easy sometimes to presume upon God’s grace and though I say I trust and depend on the Lord, I might live like I don’t need Him at all. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 commands us to “Pray without ceasing.” Yesterday I read something John MacArthur wrote about this verse that really encouraged me.