Daddy Love

Dan returns to work in six days. I can't express how wonderful it's been to have him home, not just to help me navigate the first few weeks of motherhood and care for me and the baby when I was sick, but also to bond closely with Sylvia. They've spent a lot of time getting to know each other, and I think it will be hard for Dan to be away all day.

I'll be adjusting to stay-at-home parenthood on my own, and as soon as the weather starts cooperating I plan to not stay at home so much as take Sylvia out and about. After being spoiled by having a stay-at-home spouse for three months it will be quite an adjustment for me - fortunately Grandma and Grandpa have offered to give me some scheduled breaks throughout the weeks ahead!

Waste Management

We've been given the gift of diaper service by several family members and friends. It's so convenient to toss the soiled nappies into a can, then set the collection on the porch Sunday nights. The magical diaper elves come and replace them with a bag of fresh-laundered, folded nappies on Monday mornings. First world living!

Before Sylvia came along I dreaded diaper changing. But I've found I don't mind at all; since she's breastfed the mess is not smelly. Diaper changing is simply part of our routine, and we have nice conversations during the changing. Plus Syl coos happily when we lift her onto the changing table, as if she knows a soft, dry diaper is on the way.

Liberated

In different cultures cutting one's hair short can have different meanings: a display of grief, the representation of a new chapter in one's life, liberation from a bad situation or relationship...

Today I had my hair cut, not so much in an act of liberation but to make personal hygiene quicker and easier. These days I don't always get a daily shower, much less take time to do anything special with my hair, which had gotten long.

While I was out Sylvia had her first feeding from a bottle! Dad handled it well, and Sylvia did not seem to mind the alternative feeding method. She did want to eat again when I got home, though; hard to say if she was just extra hungry or missing my touch. Even though I was only gone a couple of hours, and it did feel good to go out alone, I did find myself missing my little bundle; it was nice to nestle into the rocking chair and reconnect.

Out and About

When Dan and I were a childless couple, it took us ten minutes to leave the house. Ah, the good old days!

Now: Do we have the diaper bag? Are there clean diapers? Wipes? Change of clothes in case of spillage? Spare shirt for me in case of urpage? Is Sylvia dressed warmly enough? Is she fastened into the car seat? Do we have a burp rag nearby? Where are my keys???

Outings are a big deal, especially after my being sick for two weeks. Two weeks! Yuck is the word. We went to the Co-op yesterday to buy groceries and socialize a little. What would normally be a mundane errand became the highlight of my day. Having a newborn changes one's perspective!

Multitasking

Here's Daddy, caring for Sylvia while also enjoying breakfast and working on a crossword puzzle. (What's a six-letter word for adorable baby, beginning with S??)

Having a little one encourages and sometimes necessitates multitasking, something I'm going to have to get much better at when Dan returns to work in two weeks. EEK!

No Comments

Strange thing, blogs. I never would have imagined myself a blogger, and still don't really consider myself one.

I created this blog mostly for my parents' benefit, and then realized my friends might be interested in seeing pics of Sylvia, if not also reading my thoughts on random baby-related topics. The blog also serves as a journal, a place for me to air mental laundry.

I've become sensitive to the quantity and content of the comments posted (or not posted) in response to my posts in a way I never expected. If a post gets no comments it bugs me a little. When one gets a comment I'm excited to continue the virtual conversation.

I'll extend an invitation to those of you without blogger or gmail ID's to e-mail me directly if you'd like to comment off-blog. The feedback would be nice!

Up and Down

I'm amazed at how mercurial Sylvia is. She can go from peaceful to upset, or from screaming bloody murder to sleeping in a matter of seconds.

I'm feeling the fluctuations lately too, with the Creeping Crud giving me a workout. One minute feeling like, "Okay, this is passing, I'm on the mend" and the next "Here comes the fatigue again, I'd better get in bed before I pass out."

Finally yesterday was a decent day with no symptoms, just the normal new parent fatigue. Today I might even venture out for lunch...gasp!