one mama month

It has been one month since my world changed so incredibly and drastically as we officially entered this new stage of life. My littlemiss leah is one month old today. Surreal? Yes! So much of my life still feels a bit unbelievable.

Things that I have learned this month:

* My heart can love deeper than I ever thought possible. I love her more every single second. And I have never loved CJ more than seeing him as a daddy.

* I always thought that I was one who could function pretty without a ton of sleep. As it turns out, I need more than I thought to function well.

* Having a baby is hard. Women who push babies out and make it look easy are not doing the rest of us any favors. I've been told that those memories will fade. thank goodness!

*Hormones are real and they do crazy things to you. I have cried more this month than in most of my life combined. Sometimes for no discernible reason at all.

* I can, in fact, go weeks without ever turning on the TV or even caring what is going on in the world. My world is forever changed to revolve around something more important.

*Sleeping on my stomach feels as good as I remembered it.

*Breastfeeding is not as hard or scary as I thought it would be. Maybe it helps to get all worked up and plan for the worst sometimes.

* That being said, as much as breastfeeding is a "natural process"... it does not come naturally.

* Babies smell so naturally good.

* Time is crazy. The months and "big picture" goes so fast. too fast. However, the days and nights and even hours go slow. Sometimes way too slow.

* Grandmas and Grandpas are the best. I don't know what I would do without my parents, especially my mom.

* The world changes fast when you aren't paying attention. While being on bed rest and having a baby, they tore buildings down in my area, completely switched the layout of my grocery store and remodeled the store that I work in.

* I have the best husband and babydaddy ever. seriously, ever!

* Babies really do create a ridiculous amount of laundry.

* There is nothing better than 10 wiggly baby toes.

* I've already gotten used to being puked on.

* It is humbling to have another human being rely 100% upon me. Sometimes it scares me.

* I could stare at her all day long. Most days, I do.

* I can shower and get ready really, really fast. (and I use the term "get ready" very loosely!)

* I have the best neighbors around. They have been so, so good to us and kept us well fed for weeks.

* Being a mama is infinitely more amazing and rewarding than I ever even expected it to be. It is also infinitely more difficult.

* I have never been happier knowing that I am right where I am supposed to be... at home, in sweats, in the middle of the afternoon with the most precious gift that I have ever been given.

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Some things about the littlemiss at one month:

* She is the noisiest sleeper I have ever heard. She grunts and groans and even giggles all night long.

* She is a big spitter-upper.

* She is great to take a bottle, but still likes mama best. :)

* At her 2 week appt she weighed 7lbs 6oz was 21 inches long and had a head circumference of 36.5cm.

* She likes to be cuddled and rocked and jiggled. But who doesn't like to be cuddled, really?

* She likes bathtime.

*She liked diet coke more when she was inside of me than she does now that she is here. It's a little sad, especially because mama has never needed it more.

* She has most everyone she knows securely wrapped around her little finger, most especially her mama and daddy.

* No baby has ever been more loved or adored.

(The incredible, adorable number one onesie that Leah is sporting was made by my beautiful, uber-talented and creative friend Allisen... who just happens to be a new mama herself! There are 11 more and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!)