Seven whole days since our small bean arrived earthside! It feels unbelievable that she’s reached the one week mark already, yet it also feels like she has been here for much longer. And what a long week it has been at that!
For the most part, things have been going surprisingly well (please touch wood). She’s a settled and happy wee thing who has kind of just slotted into our family. Her big sister talks about her all the time and is very curious, but a little bit hesitant to touch her. She has taken it all in her stride though and we are so proud of them both.
Feeding is going well, sleeping is going well, and overall things feel manageable and good. It’s truly a very welcome contrast to our experience of becoming parents the first time around. We’ve definitely had our moments where things feel a bit much or the adjustment is tricky, but this time round these are only moments you know, rather than 24/7? I am afraid of jinxing things though, despite knowing that we will have our ups and downs, so I’ll just leave this stuff here.
Everyone has been asking us, “how’s it going?” and we answer that it’s good, it’s good, it’s so good, which is true. Sometimes we also say that it’s easier than the first time around. I’ve been feeling a little guilty about saying that though, in case it’s interpreted the wrong way. This is all the truth, but I don’t want people to think that we loved our first baby any less, simply because we had a far tougher time. She was a completely different baby and we found the fourth trimester so hard, but I don’t want anyone to think that this reflects on who she is, if that makes sense? Our big babe is all forms of wonderful and neither is “better” or “worse” than the other. We as parents just coped differently with each one and their uniqueness has been integral to our growth as a family. We love them both infinitely and they are each exactly who we need them to be.
As for the small babe herself, she’s absolutely lovely. She smells so nice. Her skin is so soft. She does those gorgeous newborn face scrunches while she sleeps. She was born too long for all of the newborn clothes we have, so already fits nicely into the 0-3 month size. She has very long toes, has regained her birth weight, and her hair goes fluffy after a bath. Her cry genuinely sounds like a lamb - it’s both so sweet and heartbreaking - but we don’t hear it very often at all. She’s such a joy and to be loving her is such a gift.
And as for me, I’d forgotten how much it feels like you’ve been hit by a truck, post-birth. Each day I feel a bit stronger though and less like I’m just going to fold in half down the middle, so that’s been nice. I’m going a little stir-crazy bring at home too, so I’m looking forward to venturing out in the next few days. Today I’m aiming to have a shower which will be super exciting, I can’t wait.
All in all, everything is going so well and it all feels like it’s glowing softly. It’s scary how well it’s all going, because I keep worrying when will it all be taken away? When will things just feel devastatingly hard? But Mary Oliver is to the rescue once again:
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