Went to Leah’s baby shower today and met some marvelous internet people in person.
Slept while James managed night time baby during the weekend.
Slept enough to feel tired.
That’s good, because I was only sleeping enough to feel insane.
Got some work done this evening.
Getting ready to join the handsome man on the couch downstairs.
Getting ready to join the living this week.
(Instead of the crazy.)
Still looking for a theme.
I like Jen’s idea.
But I’ll let you know tomorrow.
The hotness is when James takes over baby duty for the second half of the day.
(Especially when she’s fussy.)
He doesn’t know that he’s the most hot when he sings vowels to her in a deep voice.
Things go smoothly here at our house.
Everyone here has their roles.
Mom and James make and clean up from the meals.
I feed the baby (from my boobs! I feed her from my boobs!).
James changes diapers and burps.
All three of us hover during her baths.
Mom watches the baby during showers.
I sleep and recover.
(I’m getting the easiest part of this gig.)
Rather than “It takes a village to raise a child,” it takes three people.
Mom leaves Wednesday and James and I will be sad to see her go. So it’s time to take all the advantage we can of our third person. In a good way, of course.
I take lots of long showers,
James goes into work,
I nap in the afternoon,
Mom makes salads and
laundry and
washes dishes so we can do those things.
We’re eager to test this parenthood thing out by ourselves,
packing baby up for bocce,
packing baby up for her first business conference
(and possibly her first BlogHer) and
packing baby up for walks with the dog.
We’re smitten.
Gobsmacked.
Infatuated.
And thrilled.
I never thought I deserved anything perfect.
And somehow, I received perfection.
How can I be so lucky?
We’re still nestled in here, making note of feeding times, analyzing poop.
Fireworks and dog introductions have been smoother than anticipated.
My mom’s gentle presence helps our home feel peaceful and cared for.
James and I feel closer than ever, and Nora Lea’s little smiles keep ratcheting up the love.
We feel so lucky to have made it through these first five days with kindness and appreciation for each other.
For a lot of this well-being, I blame our amazing doula, Anna.
She educated us on what to expect.
She prepared us so that we would have support we would need.
She helped us through a natural birth that I wouldn’t have otherwise considered.
(and due to ease in nursing, speed of healing and general alertness, I wouldn’t do any other way.)
If you are a Bay Area mom who is expecting and considering a doula, feel free to contact me: hjAThelenjaneDOTcom.
(Even the nurses at the hospital were requesting her contact information for referrals.)
©helenjane.com, St. Helena, CA | Cheesewhizzes | Joanie Loves Bocce | Maplevine
