So, we’ve been doing this parent thing for over a week and a half now, so I thought I’d take a moment to write about what I think. Tonight is also the first night that Andy is going back to work, so I’m flying solo. My observations may be totally different tomorrow. 🙂
1. Labor isn’t as magical as the movies make it out to be or as scary as other people tell you it is going to be. In fact, it’s hours and hours of little decisions and repetitive tasks that lead up to the big moment. I was in shock that it was all over once I saw him for the first time!
2. Watching your sweet husband who loves you so well love on your kiddo with the same intensity is very attractive. Men, learn to care for babies. Your current or future wives will be very appreciative. I highly recommend a tour of duty in the church nursery.
3. Little personalities do come through from the womb. He’s as laid back now as he was before he was born. He’s also a bit of an introvert – too many people at once causes a meltdown.
4. I still don’t think that this little tiny person came out of my body. I think we just went to the hospital and picked out a good one and brought him home.
5. Even when they don’t know what they’re doing, baby smiles are precious!
6. Umbilical cords are weird.
7. Breastfeeding is an amazing invention by God, but it requires you to totally rethink the way you look at your schedule. All of a sudden, you have a standing hour long appointment every three hours, and no one else is going to be able to take your place.
8. I still have moments where I look around and think, “where are his parents?”, and then it hits me – I’m not babysitting this one!
9. Before we found out we were pregnant, we were actually starting to pursue adoption. I remember one day about a week before we found out, seeing a baby picture of Andy and thinking that the one thing I was going to miss through this process was seeing what a child of Andy’s would look like. God’s sense of humor never ceases to amaze me – a child of Andy’s looks just like Andy. Just like the picture I was looking at!
10. I cannot get enough of his feet! I just want to mess with his toes all the time, and it makes me sad to put socks on him.
11. Brenden looks really good in green.
12. He’s already changing and growing – he’s working on a double chin and chubby legs. I think he’s going to be a chunky monkey!
13. Most newborns love to be tightly swaddled, with their hands basically pinned to their sides. Brenden likes the swaddling, but he has to have his hands near his face, and works them loose out of even the tightest blankets. He’s a little Houdini.
14. I have never been so hungry or thirsty in my life – breastfeeding wears you out! My friend Brittney warned me about the thirst, but I didn’t realize how bad it would be until I woke up my first night home and thought someone had filled my mouth with sand. 🙂
15. I love snuggling with him when he’s tired – that doesn’t happen that often, but it’s such a special moment when he’ll snuggle.