Today is June 18. Henry’s original due date. But, he had other plans and has already spent more than three weeks with us.
It’s impossible to explain how much life has changed. And how much love we have for this baby.
And the last three weeks? They have been the most
Wonderful …
Scary …
Difficult …
Exhausting …
Happy …
Beautiful …
Challenging …
weeks of my life. Ever.
Who knew that keeping this little human alive, fed, changed, clean and (mostly) happy would be so much work?
You didn’t tell me that. Or if you did, I didn’t listen.
I have to be honest – I wasn’t thrilled when I found out he was going to be coming early. I had plans. I had work. I still had a lot I wanted to do before he joined us. I had pillows to make and baby clothes to wash and books to read. I WASN’T READY.
But, apparently, it wasn’t up to me. (Who knew?)
That’s been my biggest lesson in our world with Henry. That life is now bigger than just what I want.
The last twenty four days …
- We’ve changed approximately 235 diapers (an accomplishment for two diaper-changing newbies).
- We’ve introduced Henry to our closest friends and family members and saw them love him nearly as much as we do.
- We’ve learned the origami that is the Moby wrap.
- We’ve come to the realization that new parents aren’t lying when they said newborns are a lot of work.
- We’ve swaddled and rocked and walked and sang and shhhhed and swang to try to help Henry fall sleep.
- We’ve made four trips to the money pit that is Babies R Us. Pretty much more times than we’ve been there. Ever.
- We’ve spent three afternoons walking the river.
- We’ve explored the neighborhood with the stroller and pugs in tow.
- We’ve walked the mall corridors when it was too hot outside.
- We’ve laughed at his goofy facial expressions, sleepiness and squirminess.
- We’ve changed clothes at least four times each day (more for Henry).
- We’ve done more loads of laundry than we ever imagined possible (the days of once-a-week laundry are behind us).
- We’ve decided that all that baby gear is kind of worth the clutter.
- We’ve learned that it takes at least twice as long to get out of the house with a baby (sometimes longer).
- We’ve Googled so many parenting questions that we’re thinking we should have named him after the popular search engine.
- We’ve watched as he grows and starts to take in the world around him.
- We’ve crashed into bed in sheer exhaustion. Then, we’ve gotten up an hour later when he
screamedbeckoned for us. - We’ve stared at him for hours, in wonder.
- We’ve loved this baby boy. More than we ever imagined.
I can’t imagine the past 24 days without Henry. He was meant to join us in May. And I’m looking forward to the next 24 days and the next 24 years with our son.
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What a great post- and Henry is so adorable. That first month is truly a learning curve that can easily be forgotten as you get into the routine. It’s great you captured all the fun and exhausting things that come with a baby. Enjoy your time with him and know that the trips to Babies R Us and Google searches slow down eventually! Congrats!
Ryan and yourself are incredibly blessed to have that precious baby in your lives, which I’m sure you know. All the best for the next 24 years!!
It is an amazing time … enjoy it! He is adorable!
It is truly a wild ride. One so worth taking. Enjoy your precious angel. It only gets better. Continued blessings…
What a wonderful adorable post
) I can’t believe its been nearly a month. So 234 diapers – does that mean my 24 reusable diapers won’t be enough? I’m fine washing a load daily but I really want to use cloth diapers even if I have to start will the gerber tri-fold but 234 in 24 days sounds like a heck-of-a-lot…
12 More weeks till our little bean arrives – unless he / she decide to show up Henry style early!
XO,
Rach
Isn’t it crazy? You think you sorta know what’s gonna happen once that baby comes and then boom, what the…life is upside down. But now you’ve been inducted into the mom club, where we can commiserate about sleepless nights and barely functioning yet not being able to put down that sweet baby and know exactly what each other is talking about.
Henry is already looking so different! I see you in that first picture. He’s just so darn cute, I can’t take it. Well actually I can, so keep the pics comin
Aww, look at you being all sappy mom like. Love it!
I really do think Google is a great kid name. I think you should go for it with baby #2!
He is so cute and growing so fast! 3 weeks already! The baby gear is worth the clutter when it makes them happy! I would like to say, you will sleep again. I can’t tell you when, but you will and it will be glorious!! The first night SS slept through the night, I offered her a barbie dream house and a pony. I was giddy with more than 2 hours of sleep in a stretch!!
Beautiful post, Kim! You’re right. None of us ever really listened during that first pregnancy when people tried to warn us about getting enough rest, etc. etc. Actually bringing the newborn home rocks your world, and then you’re like “Oh. Now I get it.”
Oh I love this post!!! I can’t believe he’s been around for almost a month already!!
I can’t wait for our own to show up in a few months- I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for everything ahead of time but I have a feeling my world will also be turned upside down. They’re totally worth it though, right? 
He looks great! You guys are doing a wonderful job. I know how hard it is, but it gets so much easier after a month, and then starts to become even better after three. Hang in there!!!!!
He is so precious! And you are so lucky to have gotten him three weeks early, even if it wasn’t in your plan.
Continue to enjoy him, times seems to start moving faster once you become a parent.
P.S. The laundry does get better.
Kim!! You are making me cry at work! Such a beautifully written post. He is such a cutie – best of luck with everything in your new “normal”!
I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy hormones or what, but this almost had me doing the ugly cry at work!
He is so precious, and I am so happy for you sweet friend. And thank you sharing your heart with us – it definitely helps this soon-to-be mama!
I am not pregnant and I was tearing up at this post! I love it!!
I was complaining to a friend this morning about my house being so messy, and she said, “Have a baby. You’ll never care that your house is messy again.”
Good enough reason if I’ve ever heard one. Guess it’s getting close to time!
I love this post! I can’t believe the little guy is almost a month old already. And I hear you….you don’t listen about the sleep thing because really you can handle no sleep.
But then it happens. And it is not just one or two days or even a week of interrupted sleep. That cumulative effect is something that no one can prepare you for and you just have to hang on.
And it does get easier-the laundry, the getting out the house, the Babies r us trips, and of course the sleep. And then you will miss the newborn stage. Because you a sane person again with sleep and (somewhat) forget what it was like in the thick of it and just think of the cuddles.
I would tell you to enjoy every minute, but I know you are. Glad to see that you guys are doing so well!
I love EVERYTHING about this post.
What a wonderful blessing your son is! And he is absolutely adorable!
What a perfect post, Kim! Love this – Henry is perfect.
Such a sweet post. So happy for you guys!
Love, love love love. My advice: Go to Target and get the cheap tshirts in every color. Then you won’t care when they get stained w/ spit up.
Get a Kiddopatamus for swaddling with Velcro when you are bleary eyed from lack of sleep. And drink coffee. Hugs.
This is such a sweet and honest post. I don’t even have children (yet!) and it made me a little misty
Your son has wonderful parents!
That’s what they do, huh? My son came 2 weeks early and I felt like I wasn’t ready….I have been running after him for the past 3 yrs. Like you I wouldn’t have it any other way. Welcome to the Mommyhood!
You guys are just too sweet. Little Henry is just too precious. Google is a beautiful name, and I would suggest Siri for your next child.
You’re doing a wonderful job, Mama! Be still my heart – the sweet pictures! There’s no doubt that Henry is showered with love. <3
How sweet =) I am due in about 2.5 months…I know I will never be ready!! I’m scared, but so excited. Thanks for sharing!
Oh yeah, you said it! It is insane how amazing it feels to look at your baby and feel that love. Wonderful post!
I NEVER EVER imagined having this much love for a child. Being a grandma is so incredibly awesome and Henry is the most beautiful experience in my life. Thank you for this heartfelt post. I love you with all my heart Kimberly Ann!
Awww! SUCH a sweet post! It certainly is an adventure, isn’t it?
Babies are totally an adventure, I’ve never worked so hard in my life! But I wouldn’t trade it for anything
I am so happy for you both and he is such a cutie! Love this post!
you two really should be so proud of yourself I am seriously so impressed! your little guy really is darling!
He is just so cute! I’m loving all of the pictures of him:) It looks like he is loving life and he is lucky to have loving parents like two!
Great post – Exactly the way I think I would describe those early weeks … if I could remember them clearly, now 18 months (!!) later. Good news, the laundry and diapers do slow down a bit, but by then the “baby” is bolting past you at lightning speed
Whoopsie, that post above by “Wes” should be from me.