The First Month With Harrison

I still remember the day after we arrived home waking up in an absolute newborn fog. So glad to be home but everything was slow moving. The first couple weeks felt good insanely busy but good. As the next couple weeks went on they became more & more challenging. 

It's been a hard transition... I've gone from being efficient & being able to do everything to starting back at square one. Harrison hasn't been the easiest baby. He only wants to be held, in the wrap or be rocked most of the day. So the little to-do's that were once so easy to complete are now a big deal! It's an accomplishment now if I get out of my pajama pants by noon! Trying to enjoy these moments of newborness in between the chaos. 

Harrison has just started smiling & it's absolutely adorable! He starts his day off with a big grin & coo's. He's been tracking with his eyes & curious about everything. Does not enjoy the Mamaroo, so we might as well just get rid of it. At 6 weeks he weighed in at 12lbs 14oz. Despite having reflux I guess he's getting exactly what he needs to thrive. Avery adores him. She always wants to touch his face, give him kisses & check on him. Thankfully she doesn't refer to him as "Chip" anymore. She calls him "Baby Bro" or "Harrison John". Pretty special to watch the two of them together. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The First Month

Our new adventure began the moment we were released from the hospital. It was bittersweet saying goodbye to all the nurses (or little angels is what I think they should be called). They provided us with the best care & support throughout our entire stay. I was also a little sad knowing baby A would never be this small again (seems obvious but I was having a Mom moment). 

I never really knew what to expect in the first month. I kept trying to picture us coming home with our baby. It was a visualization I had quite often. 

First off, we introduced the baby to her black lab brother, Finn. He had no idea what to think of her. He would run to her side every time she would grunt or cry. Such a gentle soul! I think he was more scared of her than anything.  Thankfully, Chris was off for an entire month to help me. We spent the first few days trying to bond as a family (minimizing visitors) it was a special time for us but also hard. Not only are we adjusting but also healing from delivery (now that's a whole other story) Of course, lots of interrupted/ sleepless nights & learning our new roles as parents. This is the stuff books cannot prepare you for! Well in my opinion. We would try & get through the night & then do the same with the day. It's all about going with how you feel during the day. We would try & get out once a day. Even if that meant a quick trip to the grocery store. It felt like a success clipping the baby into the car seat correctly! Really it's the little things in life... Thank goodness we had a good baby. She was calm, a good eater & slept well during the day. Which made it easy for us to go & do something while she was snoozing away in her car seat. Avery was a sleepy newborn until about 2 weeks. Then she "woke up" found her little voice & started communicating with us about her wants/ needs. 

Highlights of the first month:

. Met cousins Everett & Oliver

. Baby shower (all aunts came Taryn, Christina, Krista & Brittany)

. Being babysat by Grandma 

. Lots of doctors appointments, back up to birth weight by the first visit

. Opening eyes 

. Smiling when she hears Mom & Dad's voices & see's their faces 

. Growing every single day 

. Loves to grab onto fingers 

- Leaving the hospital, I swear if it wasn't for the nurses we would have never known how to use that car seat! 

I never knew how special it would be to become a Momma. I look at her & my heart is melted! I didn't know how much love you could have for such a little person. So amazing! Both Chris & I are amazed every single day & both feel so fortunate that she is here with us. So excited to watch her grow, teach her about life & become her role model. Happy 1 month sweet baby Avery! 

Melissa xo