Reflections on the first 30 days

Being Dylan's Mom and Fuad's "baby's Mama" has already been the most rewarding role of my life. Dylan's time outside the womb is quickly approaching 30 days and I can't believe how fast this first month has gone...

All the things that people tell you over & over are so true...how fast it goes, to cherish each moment, that they grow and change so fast! The last few days I look at Dylan in the morning and think that's he's grown and changed literally overnight! It's so amazing!
I really had no idea how much I would enjoy being a Mom. I'm not saying that everything is a walk in the park or that some moments aren't challenging because there are those moments...but honestly, it feels so easy to be this little boy's mom! Dylan is a really sweet boy; he sleeps well & eats well and for the most part communicates his needs fairly well. Dylan has such bright eyes and I'm so looking forward to when he sees me as his mother & Fuad as his father.

I read somewhere before Dylan was born where a mom explained that she didn't know how much she loved her husband until she saw how much he loved their child...I feel the same way. I didn't know this much love, or this kind of love before Dylan came into our lives. I couldn't ask for a more supportive partner...Fuad is amazing. He cooks & does dishes, takes care of laundry, runs errands, changes diapers in the middle of the night, rocks & sings & plays lullabies for our baby boy every night (these tender moments are my favorite family times)...he is so attentive to Dylan & I, taking care of all of our needs and loving us so unconditionally. I am so blessed and so grateful for the gift of this beautiful baby boy and for the loving support of my husband.
 I will continue to be on maternity leave for several more months, but as the first 30 days come to a close Fuad's work responsibilities return. Next week Fuad travels to Berlin for work and Dylan & I will experience a dose of what life is like without our Daddy around. Lucky for us my parents are here for 2 more weeks to help ease the transition.

In the first 30 days I've realized that some things just don't matter as much as they used to...and some things matter more.
I've realized that I can function on A LOT less slept than I ever imagined, although sometimes I feel like a zombie and I'm not always the sharpest tool in the shed these days.
I've realized that my body image has totally shifted into something I've never experienced before and I like this renewed self worth. This body and what it can do is amazing! We women can grow another human, give birth & provide all of its nutritional needs naturally!
I've realized that my arms are tired! I wake up in the mornings sore, from the holding and rocking, from nursing, from carrying...but it's all worth it.
I've realized that breast feeding makes you THIRSTY!
I've realized that the pain of labor & delivery is quickly overshadowed by the after pains "down there", which is quickly overshadowed by the pain of breastfeeding...all of which resolves on its own, in its own time while you're distracted adoring your child and taking naps.
What lessons will be learned in the second month of a new life? I plan to take it one day at a time, one precious moment at a time, one breath at a time and find out!

Dylan's 2nd day of life.

Dylan at 3 weeks.

Dylan already sits up at around 3 and a half weeks!