I'm Back!

I can't take it anymore! I have to sit down and blog. All of these milestones, moments, and events in Evelyn's life are already flying by, and I want to make sure that I document them every step of the way. So here's to a new (and hopefully doable) goal for this mommy - blog once a week. It's just been hard to find a moment to sit and blog in between feedings, diaper changes, naps for her and me, laundry, cooking, etc.

I have a four week old. Yes, that's one month! It feels like just a short moment ago, we were driving to the hospital, feeling excited, nervous, anxious all at the same time. We were about to meet our dear one. And now she's been here for a month! To be honest with you, the last four weeks have been somewhat of a blur. We haven't even made it to church yet. I just never felt ready to go - I was still recovering from giving birth, Evelyn was adjusting and finding some sort of routine, and we just couldn't get out the door. And in all honesty, the thought of going to church was overwhelming to me. Don't get me wrong, we LOVE our church family, but I just wasn't ready. Until now. We are going to do everything we can to get there this weekend! I am excited to see everyone, and I know they will be excited to meet Evelyn!

I love being a mommy. It was what I was born to do. I believe I have stepped into it naturally, and I can say that I am proud of myself. While I was pregnant, it was so hard to picture what it would look like to be a mommy, but I can now say that I wouldn't have it any other way. And I must say how incredibly proud I am of my hubby. He is a changed person. He was the minute he laid eyes on her. He is so incredibly tender and caring, and loves her completely. He helps me without being asked. I love listening to him talk to her. I love watching him snuggle with her on his chest. I love every moment!

So much happened over these first four weeks, and I want to make sure I get it all out. So here I go!

• She is so beautiful. I love watching her sleep, but then I remember that I should be sleeping, too.
• Giving birth was a beautiful mess. I will blog our birth story soon...
• She rolled over twice at our two week pediatrician appointment, and she's done it a few times since. She is incredibly strong for a newborn, and lifts her head up when she's on her tummy to make eye contact with you.
• She fights sleep, and fights it hard. She moans and groans to keep herself awake. 
• She loves her paci! I was totally against using a paci until she was 6 weeks old, but that went out the window at two weeks. She loves it, and it has not hindered nursing at all.
• Speaking of nursing, I've learned it is not for the faint of heart! It is a lot of work, but to me, it is totally worth it. I love the fact that she was dependent on me in the womb, and now she is still dependent on me through nursing. It is such an incredible bonding experience - I wish every mommy could experience it. 
• Evelyn is obsessed with her hands. Her ultrasounds always showed her hands up by her head, and that hasn't changed one but outside the womb. We can't swaddle her tightly because she freaks out if she cannot have her hands by her face. She's constantly keeping her hands up on her head, rubbing her face, sucking her hands. So, she is constantly in mittens because her face keeps getting scratched up, even with clipped nails. 
• Night time has been okay....some good nights and some hard nights. The past few nights have been rough, but we are able to make it through! 
• Her eyes are so much more alert now, and she's definitely having more awake time. She makes the cutest expressions, and I love it when I can see both of her big dimples! Where did those dimples come from, anyways???
• She loves her little giraffe and lamb that make soothing sounds, and she loves her swing.
• For two weeks, our dear friends from our church brought us meals. It was an incredible blessing! 
• I am already dreading going back to work, even if it is only two days a week.
• My favorite names for her right now are "Pumpkin" and "Sweetpea."
• She loves bath time!! Yay! She only cries when we take her out of the bath!
• We go to Target 3-4 times a week. I haven't ventured out on my own yet, so I wait until Michael comes home from work, but it's a great place to go to get out of the house! We love Target. (and there's a Starbucks inside!)
• Our first Thanksgiving as a family of 3 was perfect. My mom hosted and cooked, it was amazing. We have so much to be thankful for, and this year was very special to us.
• I am so thankful for my mommy friends, who I can go to with questions or for advice. Love you!
• Every moment is such a gift from God - every coo, every cry. I will never take it for granted. 
• She smells SO good. I remember thinking that right after she was born, that she smelled so good! Babies just have a natural good smell. And then add Baby Magic lavender and they smell divine. 
• Sometimes she sleeps with her mouth hanging open, just like me!
• Her hair is so beautiful - strawberry blonde. It glimmers red in the sun. But sadly, it is falling out. I am excited to see if it grows back in strawberry blonde!
• She has the biggest, deep blue eyes, just like her daddy.
• I love the little sounds she makes when she's nursing.
• I love all the little sounds she makes - squeaks, coos, cries, grunts...
• Wow, can she fill her pants! I never fully realized how many diapers one really goes through with a newborn...
• My entire outlook on life has changed. My priorities have shifted, and everything has become a bit clearer. You really learn about what is truly important, all through a little babe.
• Amick took Evelyn's newborn photos, and they are amazing! I'm so glad that we did that, especially when she was so little. It was a little difficult, because she did not want to sleep during the pictures, and she was naked the whole time. It took two photo sessions to get them done! And at one point, poop went flying all over Michael and all over the kitchen floor. Isaak's face was priceless when he saw it, and to this day, he still remembers that "Evelyn pooped in the kitchen and it was yellow." Oh, and she pooped in Michael's guitar case. :) But the photos are truly amazing. 
• I never realized it was possible to do this much laundry. :)

I love my little girl, I love the mommy she's made me and the daddy she's made Michael. She is a gift, our gift of life, our little miracle. I cannot even fully express or put into words the love I have for her and how she's changed us. God is so good. He is our healer, He is our sustainer, and He has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams.