THE FIRST WEEK + FIVE THINGS

It seems almost impossible to believe that our baby girl has been with us for over a week now.

It’s been one of the happiest and most fulfilling weeks of my life. I never imagined myself enjoying being a mama as much as I do, and especially a mama to a newborn. I’ve never been the baby-type of person…and I’ll hold a baby for a few minutes but then I’m always happy to give them away to someone else before they inevitably start crying for me. But everything changes when it’s your baby…I could sit and hold my Ayla June for hours, just staring at her little face and touching her soft skin and kissing her all over.

Ayla has done so well so far with adjusting to life in our home, and the first week has went a lot better than I expected it to go actually. She eats well, sleeps well, fills diapers well. My favorite moments are after she’s done nursing and she’s wide awake and just takes in the world around her with her bright eyes. I’ll pull her close to my face and she’ll look in my eyes…and just lock her eyes there for a few moments…and it’s all I can do to not explode with love and joy over this precious child that is somehow my own daughter. Every minute of pregnancy and waiting and labor was so completely worth it for the gift of this little girl.

We’ve been laying low and spending lots of time relaxing and snuggling and sleeping here. It’s been the biggest blessing to have my mom here to take care of cooking and cleaning and laundry for these two weeks, and it gives us extra time to spend loving on our daughter. We did venture out into town on Saturday for a few hours for lunch, since I was feeling pretty ready to get out after six days in the house. Ayla did great with the car ride and slept the entire time we were out, even in the middle of a noisy cafe filled with people. We were so proud! It did feel good to get out for a while, but I was also ready to come running back to my safe little home. Babies seem so small and vulnerable out in the big, big world!

One more thing…I will try to restrain myself from blogging ever and only about my Ayla June. She consumes my world so that might be a little tough at first here (hehe!) Thanks to you all for your congratulations and excitement with us over our little one! I wish you all could meet her and hold her and touch her sweet face.

Here are five things I love:
– this lullaby
– this maxi dress
– this looks refreshing
– couldn’t resist this
– this moment

Have a great week!

What about you: what was the best thing about your weekend?