Four weeks

How is it that the past 4 weeks have flown by but sometimes each day feels like it lasts forever? It's amazing to me that it has been four weeks since Elijah arrived. He looks a lot different than he did back then. Amazing. I'm coming to terms, albeit slowly, with the reality that he won't always sleep when I want him to (and desperately need a nap myself). I think the day is much easier if I just don't expect to get a nap and then I will be pleasantly surprised if I get one. It's all about the attitude and expectations.

God, in his infinite wisdom, knew I needed some sleep last night. A couple of 3-hour blocks of sleep may not sound like much but it was what I needed. Little dude still doesn't like napping in the daytime in the crib (prefers to be held), but he seems to have figured out what "night" means.

Hmm, do I dare risk waking him by moving him? Nah. I'm sleep-deprived but not crazy. :).

Awww...

...his first projectile spit-up. Ew.

He's still cute, though.

Ten Days

I would be lying if I didn't say that these have been the most difficult 10 days of my life. Despite everything I'd done to prepare myself for having a child, I discovered it's not something you can ever be totally ready for. (And all of the moms out there are smiling and nodding right now.) We've been having some issues with feeding, but the little guy is totally healthy. I'm working with a really great nurse, though, who's helping us through it. And I know that I need to be patient. Everyone keeps telling me that things will get easier, and I do believe them, but when every day seems like it's 48 hours long, it's hard to look very far past the current moment!

Still, every bit of sleeplessness, frustration, and uncertainty has been completely, utterly worth it. Right at this very moment, I am sitting here with a tiny little person bundled in a blanket, sleeping on my chest. And it's the most beautiful thing in the world.

Two Days Old (almost)

It's a Boy!

Elijah James...Born August 1.