It's been three weeks since Linnea was born, and we have been sucked into a veritable time warp to say the least. Apparently today is Friday, and now that it's 5:00 p.m. I just caught on that it is not actually Wednesday. I can safely say that I have her attached to one boob or the other for a grand total of a third of my day- yes, friends, that is the equivalent of a full-time job. Cabin fever has set in on more than one occasion, especially for the hubster, who loves our home but hates being stuck here for too long. I barely find time to eat, let alone go to the store to fill our perpetually empty kitchen, and because she has to eat every three hours, going anywhere is always a bit of a time-limited production. I find myself using words like "binky," "Boppy," and "burpy" at least fifty times a day, and for the first time in my life I have started falling asleep sitting up on a regular basis. Our laundry volume has increased exponentially- and it's not because of the additional wardrobe of tiny clothes that has been added to our hamper. (They are, after all, tiny clothes.) It's mostly because we have to change our own clothes twice a day due to being victimized by her pants exploding all over the place, or things like the infamous "fountain in the backseat of the Nissan" incident in the corner of the Kohl's parking lot that we won't discuss right now.
Welcome to parenthood!
I've never been happier to have my life turned completely upside-down, however. I am completely enamored with our little girl. Every day is an opportunity to watch her grow and take in the world around her. Her little voice, even when she's crying inconsolably, is my favorite sound ever. I love watching her lay quietly in her crib or in my lap when she's awake, cooing and doing her little newborn things- sighing, sneezing, grasping my fingers with those tiny little hands that look like miniature versions of my own, rooting around for something to suck on. (Newborns will suck on anything.) I love kissing her little face and burping her and singing to her. I love the little sounds she makes. She's simply the most breathtakingly beautiful baby I've ever seen. And I just adore her to pieces. I had no idea how much love my heart could hold, and then she came along.
I can't wait until she smiles at us, giggles when we tickle her, or looks around in awe on her first visit to Disneyland. But I want to savor the moment we find ourselves in now. She is so tiny and precious and amazing and I don't ever want to forget the little things she does that bring so much joy and wonder to my heart. What an exciting road we have ahead of us.
Linnea Joelle, you are loved!
This is a familiar story to me - the 3 hour schedule, the laundry, and the love!
Posted by: the ambitious mrs | 01/16/2010 at 01:00 PM
so beautiful, what a fantastic way of describing newborn life! It takes me back! It is by far the most precious upside down time of your life!! ;)
Posted by: megan | 01/16/2010 at 02:43 PM
Take it all in girl! It goes by very quickly! She's so beautiful! I'm going to come snatch you up soon and go to coffee- even if it's just for 30 minutes before you need to head back to feed her. I know how you feel, it's wonderful, overwhelming and very trying at times. She's worth all of it- I know you know that! I love you dear friend!
Posted by: Jessica | 01/19/2010 at 09:58 PM