As I sat down to write this blog (on the phone, because I can never get to a computer any more), my baby (J.) started crying. Meanwhile, I got a phone call from my husband and realtor with the latest updates on a home we are negotiating for. I muted myself while comforting the baby. A few minutes after that call, J. started her usual frantic arm waving (often bonking me in the face), to let me know that she is hungry. She eats every 2-3 hours, after all.
Welcome to new mommyhood! The initiation is immediate, thrilling, confounding, scary, thoroughly exhausting and, by far, the most joyful experience of my life.
My husband agrees. He compared our stay in the hospital after J.'s birth to our honeymoon - he really was that happy. And we stayed at the Four Seasons in Hawaii, so that's saying something!
We now live in an alternate reality that has changed our identities and has given us an even greater sense of purpose. No longer just a married couple (with a penchant for traveling on a whim, trying new restaurants, and spa time), we are also the proud parents of J. and she means the world to us.
My daily life has transformed, no bones about it.
Taking a shower is a covert operation that requires deft strategy. Burps are small victories to be celebrated. I can now distinguish the "I have a wet diaper" cry from the "just hold me" and "FEED ME NOW" cries. A 6 hour stretch of sleep is the most I can hope for, but I usually settle for 4.
J. recently made her first plane trip (success!). My friends and family know that packing is something that really stresses me out. Well, when you travel with a baby, you pack everything you own! Clothes, extra clothes, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, medicine, snot sucker, sleep sack, car seat, stroller, baby carrier, all manner of pumping and feeding supplies, nursing pillow, sound machine, and the list goes on.
All of these little things add up to treasured moments like these. It's all worth it, just as they say.
Welcome to new mommyhood! The initiation is immediate, thrilling, confounding, scary, thoroughly exhausting and, by far, the most joyful experience of my life.
My husband agrees. He compared our stay in the hospital after J.'s birth to our honeymoon - he really was that happy. And we stayed at the Four Seasons in Hawaii, so that's saying something!
We now live in an alternate reality that has changed our identities and has given us an even greater sense of purpose. No longer just a married couple (with a penchant for traveling on a whim, trying new restaurants, and spa time), we are also the proud parents of J. and she means the world to us.
My daily life has transformed, no bones about it.
Taking a shower is a covert operation that requires deft strategy. Burps are small victories to be celebrated. I can now distinguish the "I have a wet diaper" cry from the "just hold me" and "FEED ME NOW" cries. A 6 hour stretch of sleep is the most I can hope for, but I usually settle for 4.
J. recently made her first plane trip (success!). My friends and family know that packing is something that really stresses me out. Well, when you travel with a baby, you pack everything you own! Clothes, extra clothes, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, medicine, snot sucker, sleep sack, car seat, stroller, baby carrier, all manner of pumping and feeding supplies, nursing pillow, sound machine, and the list goes on.
All of these little things add up to treasured moments like these. It's all worth it, just as they say.
