Here we are Dean, with you somehow turning one month old on us already. How did that happen?
Your presence in your dad and I’s life has shook us to the core in so many ways. Not a day goes by that we don’t exclaim to one another, “He’s just so cute!” or “I could stare at him all day!” Because truly, you are the center of attention in the house these days.
Bringing you home from the hospital, I was convinced we’d just delivered the most easy-going infant ever. For the first two weeks, you did nothing but eat and sleep and in the few moments we’dd catch you awake, you’d flash us sweet grins that would steal our hearts (along with the hearts of your grandmas, both of whom came to stay with us and help adjust to your presence in the house.)
But oh buddy…. did you ever decide to give your vocal chords a workout around week three. When you’re not happy, you’re certainly not afraid to let us know about it. And I’ve gotta tell you, the sound of your cry? Well, it makes us both feel so helpless in trying to understand your needs. Not to mention frustrated — wouldn’t it be lovely if you could just talk to us already? Yes, yes it would.
But we’re learning this parenting thing as we go, just as you’re learning to live this so-called life outside the womb. It’s tough, isn’t it? Being assaulted by all these sights and sounds and faces hovering over your teeny little body. Soon enough we know you’ll get used to it, just as we’ll get used to your moods and your needs and—God willing because we are REALLY aiming for this—a daily schedule that will make life easier on all of us.
In some ways, this first month with you has gone so fast and yet, in some moments (like that lovely witching hour that hits the house every evening around 7 o’clock), not fast enough. But I don’t want to wish these tender moments of discovery with you away. They’re too precious and, all too soon, I know I’ll be sitting here a year from now, wondering how 11 more months have passed us by on the calendar.
Until then, I’ll keep chronicling your milestones and you just keep on being cute, okay? Okay.
Love,
Your mama
Congratulations on your handsome little man.
Oh Gail, this sounds exactly like my little guy (just a couple weeks older than yours). Even though he’s our second baby, it somehow still managed to rock our world with the frustration of figuring out a newborn’s needs again. & I feel the exact same way; trying my best not to wish away these infant days. Hopefully our boys adjust to life outside the womb quickly! Dean is quite the cutie!!
Again and again – he melts my heart:) And btw this boy is going to be very handsome ;)
I follow your blog and admire your work so much, but don’t think I’ve ever commented. :) But, I felt compelled to leave you a little note and tell you it gets better! Everyone always talks about how special and wonderful those newborn days are, and they are. A brand new life! A precious new baby! You’re a mom! But, those days are also long, sometimes lonely, and exhausting! It’s universal and complete normal. Hang in there! Dean is a beautiful baby!
Happy 1 month, Dean! Your letter made me cry to reminisce about my Charlotte’s first days and all the struggles, smiles, exhaustion, and complete joy that went with them. When I got stressed in the early days my mom would always say to remember that this too shall pass. I feel like it was both a reassurance and a reminder. As I sit here preparing for my baby girl to turn 1yr old, I wonder what happened to this past year… how do they change so much in so little time (and how does the post-partum type weepiness reappear as you plan your baby’s first birthday party??)? It really does go by too fast. I guess it’s a cliche for a reason. Enjoy this time w/ your sweet, squishy new baby… and know that you have so much to look forward to in these coming months! :)
He is soooo cute! It sounds like he has colic. Our number four, Henry, had colic. It started at 3 weeks and lasted until about 12 weeks when it stopped just as suddenly as it started. Every night from about 6:30pm until about 9:30pm he would scream and scream. He was just inconsolable. The only things that helped were a really, really loud sound machine right on the edge of his crib and loud shushing right in his ear while we swayed him. The shushing gets tiring, but if you use your yoga breathing it’s almost zen like! There were times when I wondered if it would ever end, but it did and he is the sweetest, happiest baby now. Remember, it’s okay to put him down and let him cry some! It will save your sanity. If all else fails, you can at least get some reading done on your phone while you walk him around!
:)
I can’t believe he’s a whole month old already! He looks like the sweetest little guy in that photo:)
Congratulations Gail! He is absolutely precious!! Happy to hear you’re all well and healthy. : ) We just found out that we’re expecting (after 3 girls) our first boy in April. We are so excited! It kind of feels like we’re having our first baby all over again. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you and your boys!
Oh I can’t wait to meet this sweet boy. It’s so obvious that you and Nick have already done such an amazing job with him! Sending him lots of cuddles and XO’s today.
Love that little face!
You and Nick are right – he is SO cute! This brings back memories – my daughter started with the colic thing around the 3rd week and kept it up until about 3 months. Every night at the same time. It’s heart-breaking to hear them cry and not be able to console them. I took so many midnight drives because riding in the car was the only thing that would calm her down. Hang in there…it will pass. The letter thing is a great idea too – I wrote to my daughter as she was growing up and when she turned 16 I put them into a book and gave it to her.
Love this! What a great idea to record this and have Dean able to go back and look at these posts when he’s older!
He is such a cutie Gail!!!! And what a beautiful way to document his first year. Those letters will be so special when he grows up.