Parenting 101

Hard to believe that as of yesterday our little one is already one week old. I realize that to most people, one week sounds about as young as it gets, but as a new mom, one week sounds shockingly old. I mean one week...soon she'll be calling boys and wanting to go shopping for prom dresses! We have had so many people send us warm wishes via cards and telephone calls and though they are all well-meaning, so many of them have added a little note saying "Enjoy these moments. They are gone so quickly." I have to admit that though I understand the truth behind them, those are words to break a new mom's heart. When I lie with Kayla snuggled up against my chest at night, looking down at her perfect little face and tiny little hands, I just can't bear to picture her growing up. I know that we are in for such excitement and that we will cherish every milestone and yet, a part of me just wants her to stay tiny and cuddly forever.

It is incredible to think how many things we have learned in one week. We have learned the value of 2-3 hours of uninterrupted sleep. We have learned that co-sleeping doesn't necessarily provide mom with the most restful nighttime ever, but it does provide some of the most warm and cherished moments. We have learned that new babies are cute enough that even when they keep you awake from 1am-4am, you can't help smiling at their little wide-eyed faces.

I have realized that filing my own nails is not nearly as complicated as I thought. Try filing the nails of a 7 day old - paper thin and the size of nail heads. I have learned that you always, ALWAYS, pack an extra set of clothes for baby in the diaper bag. I have learned that babies can projectile ANYTHING - always have an extra changing pad, clothes, blanket, etc., at the ready and pack more diapers and wipes than you think you could possibly need. I have learned that grabbing a 5 minute shower can feel like a complete luxury and that managing to actually shave, well...paradise. I have learned that when you are breast-feeding, you MUST breastfeed on a regular schedule or your boobs will certainly let you know that you are falling behind (ouch!). I have learned that a new daddy can be as protective or more so than a new mommy. We have perfected the art of blocking out so that small germy children cannot touch our precious newborn. We have learned that sharing the burden is a must and that patience is, indeed, an incredibly important virtue. We have realized that mornings in bed now have a new meaning and that "sleeping in" can occur even when you are out of bed by 9. I have learned that the laundry must be done at least every other day unless you want to buy 10 of everything (sheets, changing pad covers, clothes, blankets...).

More than anything though, we are learning that it is possible to love someone so much that it makes your heart hurt. I have been lucky enough to be married to someone who I love more than I ever thought possible and now, having Kayla, I am realizing that love truly has no boundaries.

Happy One Week Birthday, Kayla. Mommy and Daddy still can't believe that they get to keep you forever.

Singing it from the Rooftops

Now that we are finally "official" and are spreading the word to friends and family, it seemed like starting a blog would be a great way to keep everyone up-to-date regarding Orange Seed's progress. The nice thing about blogs is that you only have to look at them when you choose, so you can decide whether you care to hear about whether or not Orange Seed has fingers, toes, and eyelashes this week or whether you would rather just stay blissfully unaware of all the little developments that keep a parent-to-be fascinated morning, noon, and night (and all the hours in between, if we're being honest).

For those of you who do care...this week Orange Seed is about the size of a woman's clenched fist. Hair is starting to sprout on its little head. Its vocal chords are already beginning to develop (uh oh!). The baby now has individual fingers and toes and based on the last ultrasound, finally looks like a baby, not just like a crustacean, a la 9 week ultrasound.

9 Weeks!

12 Weeks!

Oh! And the moniker...the story of the Orange...so way back in Week 5 when C and I first found out about Orange Seed's existence, I immediately bought us all the Must Have baby books so that we would know what the heck we were getting ourselves into to. If you haven't seen any of these books, they are absolutely fabulous and try to make this little creature, whose existence feels completely surreal for oh so long, at least a little more tangible for you. One way they do that is to describe your child as various fruits and veggies in an attempt to make those "This week your baby is 3.5cm long!" announcements a little easier to grasp. The week we found out that we would be parents come next April, our baby was the size of an orange seed. The title has stuck. Even now, 9 weeks later, when Orange Seed is actually the size of a peach, we're still referring to him/her by his/her original name.

So, 14 weeks down and 26 to go. Amazing how something can feel so real and surreal all at the same time. There's no real belly yet, no outward signs. The ultrasound where we saw him/her swing its little arms and legs was really the most "real" moment we've had. That said, we kiss Orange Seed goodnight (well, Chris does. Little hard for me.), we talk to him/her and we love him/her more than is really reasonable or comprehensible at this point. It's the most amazing experience...we're enjoying every moment.