The first few days after your birth, we were running on adrenaline. All of our family within a two hour drive came out to meet you; my sister even volunteered to change your diaper. Grandma’s been here the last couple of days to help by making a meal or washing the dishes so we can sleep. But last night, things finally slowed down as we all learned what the next few weeks are going to be like.
You were so alert! I changed your diaper after you started fussing in your crib. I expected you to fall asleep after I swaddled you, but instead you opened your eyes around 11 PM, and just kept looking around. You looked at your Daddy for what felt like an eternity before turning to watch me upload your photos into Flickr. I made iTunes do some cool things on the screen, but you weren’t impressed. You stared inquisitively at my favorite stripey shirt — the pattern fascinating your growing newborn mind — right before you ejected 3 ounces of milk onto it.
Afterwards, you were the frumpiest we’ve seen you yet: hungry and in pain. Mama winced in sympathy, knowing how confusing your state must have been to you, and helped by burping and feeding you. She sent me to bed at 2 AM so she could take the night shift. I felt bad, but we both knew I needed it. She’s tough, your Mom: she used to do 1- and 2-hour overnight checks at the equine clinic, so she knows how to survive on a little sleep.
Ah, yes….those lovely first days.
I remember when we brought Fezzik home (now DON’T worry, I am not going to compare your daughter to our stinky puppy), and I told Sarah how quiet and good he was. She said, “Yeah, his personality will really start to come out in about a week.”
Oh, I thought, great. What does that mean? Well, I found out.
So, I read Sarah’s note about how easy going Dahlia was, and I thought, “Yeah, her personality will really start to come out soon…” lol Well, the joys of both of our new experiences here are very funny (in the long run-being up all night is not funny!).
So, you have your baby-I know what that is like. We have our puppy-you know what that is like. Let me know if you want to trade. Hahahahahahahaha…..
3 ounces of milk??? Holy Cow!!! A newborn’s tummy is only the size of a quarter. It’s hard to imagine Dahlia taking in 3 ounces let alone spitting that much out.
Dahlia,
You should know that it actually took 3 of us to change your diaper that day. Uncle Sal removed the dirty diaper and I cleaned the “area”, while your Dad managed the entire process (hovering….from less than half a foot as to make sure we didn’t miss one step) HAHA! It was a sight! (And now that your 17 and reading this, I’m sure your thrilled that I’m going into to detail about one of your first diaper changing experiences, on the web, for the whole World to see! PS-Uncle Sal just suggested we show this to all of your future boyfriends! Welcome to the family kid! LOL!
xoxo,
Aunt Jaime & Uncle Sal
By the way….I like what you’ve done with the place. You can never start to early…thinking about her education that is. I searched random nonsense just because. Expect a check from Google! HA HA!