Lessons Learned

My first week as a mom . . . .

First of all - thank you all so much for all of your well wishes. Ella and I (and David) are doing really fabulously as we recover and learn more about loving each other every day. What a flood of changes and emotions this week has been!

Things I want to Remember (and would like to forget) about my first week as a mom:

1. Smooth as a baby's butt - when it's your baby this takes on a whole new meaning. I could run my hands over her soft little legs, feet, hands, and face all day long - but then she would get greasy from my skin oil and I would mess up her baby perfection.

2. Aromatic - I have always loved the smell of babies, but when Miss Ella is breast-feeding or snuggling up to mommy's shoulder I take long cleansing baby breaths because I know she won't smell this way forever.

3. No pain no gain - I know I read all about the pain of childbirth, labor, stretches and tears and all that, but I don't ever remember reading about bleeding like I'm making up for all the missed periods during my pregnancy, or about how uncomfortable just sitting on a toilet would be, or about how truly hard as a rock my milk makers would be every morning (which is really b/c Ella is a premie and she doesn't eat enough to empty them).

4. Take time to snuggle - no explanation necessary.

5. Every day brings change. A premie that eats like a horse, breastfeeds like a champ at 36weeks old, and is holding her head up some already can only mean we are in for a whirlwind of daily change and every moment is such a precious gift from God. We must remember to graciously thank Him in every day for every gift - for I know I never could have made such a beautiful new life without the ultimate life giver.

6.Where would we be without family? I am so thankful for the financial and emotional support and service we have received in just the first week. What an amazing gift to have two sets of loving, stable, god-fearing, still married grandparents for our new baby girl!!! (photo wit Nana to follow)