Russell Michael Martin, Jr. arrived early in the morning on Friday, March 18th weighing in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. He was born at home and caught by his daddy! We've spent the past week just adoring him and taking it easy. His sisters spend every spare minute squeezing him (or arguing over who gets to squeeze him next). He's our very own little prince!

It is not lost on me what a profound blessing it has been to enjoy four easy pregnancies and quick, natural deliveries of beautiful, healthy babies. A literal miracle, times four. I'm humbled and honored to raise up these sweet souls—my truest calling in life is to be a wife to their dad and a mom to these four little people.

So we may have a few rounds of newborn care under our belts, but let me assure you it's been HARD WORK every single time. Newborns are precious and snuggly enough that we find a way to carry on despite utter exhaustion, but on paper, it's basically an impossible job that new moms and dads do. Add in the demands of three big sisters, ages 6 and under, and you can imagine how happy I am to be un-pregnant and able to crack open a beer at 5 o'clock if I feel like it. I'm grateful for my awesome husband, parents, sisters, in-laws, and friends who have swooped in to save the day—feeding us, doing dishes, folding laundry, entertaining and chauffeuring the kids, telling us we're doing a good job, and reminding us that "this too shall pass."

It's a confusing state of affairs around here: there's the abundant joy a new baby brings and the love and encouragement from friends and family VS. the physical fatigue, aches and pains, and the frustration of not being able to meet everyone's needs all at once. It's a vulnerable place to be, and the uncertainty creeps in: Do I have enough to give? Can I love them all enough? Will we ever rebound back to normal?

I know that I am enough. Despite all of my shortcomings, all of my doubts, I am exactly the mom these kids need. In the months to come, we'll figure out what our new rhythm feels like. It might be totally nuts for a little (or a long) while, but we'll be okay because we're together.

Promise me you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly forget, how much you have always loved to swim.
—Tyler Knott Gregson