The new normal

We cuddle

Now that Mom and Dad have returned home and Ross is back at work, I am on my own with Ivor for most of the day. After a week on my own I feel like I am starting to get the hang of life at home with an infant.

I spent a lot of my pregnancy wondering how I would cope with these early days of motherhood. The horror stories people tell you are enough to scare any future/new parent (If I had penny for every warning I've had about sleepless nights, screaming babies and how life will never be the same again, Ivor would have a pretty good start at a college fund), but I've been pleasantly surprised at quite a lot about these first weeks.

First, I've been surprised at how at ease I feel with this little guy. I definitely don't have it all figured out, but I'm enjoying learning and having my arms filled with a tiny person doesn't feel alien at all. (This is a pretty good thing too, because Ivor does not like to be put down and so spends an inordinate amount of time being held. I've had to learn to type, read eat, cook, sleep and dress with at least one arm occupied by a wiggly baby.)

Second, I'm impressed by how quickly you can adapt. Things that felt awkward in those first hours have now become like second nature. For example, breastfeeding. In the hospital, I really struggled to hold Ivor in position to feed- it took all my concentration and both arms/hands, but now I can manage to feed him and myself at the same time (or type and feed). I can even feed him at night while we are both half asleep. Another example is getting Ivor dressed. At first, you are so cautious and nervous manipulating baby's limbs to get them into that onesie and you prefer anything that snaps up the front- It takes you ages to dress that screaming, wiggling tiny one. After pulling off half a dozen soiled outfits in a day (because you still haven't worked out how to prevent leaks), dressing the munchkin requires very little thought.

We cry

Third, it amazes me how one little smile can brighten the most frustrating and exhausting of days. I think baby smiles are like nature's happy drug for parents. One minute you are fed up with this fussy, uncooperative kid. Your body is aching from carrying him around, your head is aching from listening to his cries and you're sure the monotony of life with an infant is about to send you over the edge. When miracle of miracles, you look at him face-to-face and are greeted with a smile and baby coos. The sweetness of a little person smile is balm for even my most anxious mama moments. I can't wait until he starts to laugh!

My new normal is so far from what life looked like just a few short months ago. Sleep is shorter. The house is dirtier. Routine is just a pipe dream. Getting to the grocery store or out for a walk in the park is an achievement. Tears and smiles are both more frequent. And my heart is full of thankfulness for this time I get to spend caring for, learning about and enjoying this little monkey.

We are learning to smile

Special Visitors

You get a lot of visitors when you have a new baby, but we were especially thrilled to have Mom and Dad with us for a couple weeks. This being their first visit to Scotland since our wedding, I was excited for them to experience a little of what our life is like here.

Cuddles with Grandma in the park

Within hours of their arrival, the radiator in my bedroom fell of the wall, blocking the doorway and leaking water onto the carpet. Our letting agency had a repairman out quickly to fix the radiator back onto the wall and clear up the mess. Mom and Dad were so jet-lagged that all the drilling and hammering did nothing to disturb their nap. (Ivor, on the other hand, was plenty disturbed.)

With Ivor being so new, we were limited in what we could do (or rather Ross and I were limited in the amount of energy we had), but we did our best to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Getting a better vantage point with Grandpa

We went for walks in our local park, saw some bizarre 'mardi gras' parade in the West End, ate at our favorite cafes and restaurants, and took in the beautiful landscape at Balloch Country Park. Ross and Dad even got in a couple rounds of golf. But most importantly, Ivor got lots of cuddles, kisses and time with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa taught Ivor lots of new songs and they bought him his first age appropriate toys (Apparently, his lack of toys disturbed them.)

Mom and Dad got to experience 'city living'- i.e. crowds, being able to walk everywhere, taking public transport, having to drive in a European sized car and climb up two flights of stairs to get home- and life in Scotland for a couple weeks- i.e. summer temperatures of not more than 70 degrees, the beautiful and blustery seashore, and lots of new words, like 'fly-tipping' and plaice. (I think they will be glad to get back to the quiet of Rescue and their spacious cars.)

Aside from enjoying their company, Ross and I were happy to have their help. With the extra hands provided, we tried out our stroller for the first time, took Ivor to visit Mom's coworker, and went shopping. Ross and I didn't have to wash a single dish while they stayed with us. Mom helped me organize Ivor's growing wardrobe. (I think this kid now has more clothes than Ross and I combined!) Dad helped Ross repair a couple things around the house (like the bathroom door, which had been without a doorknob for months). Mom even scrubbed all my floors for me the day before she left.

You guys are welcome back anytime! ;-)

Enjoying the sunshine in Balloch Country Park

Four Weeks

I don't know how it happened but four whole weeks have passed since this little guy entered the world.

Ivor is steadily gaining weight. He weighed in at 7lbs 13 oz during his weigh in this morning, but is still camping out in his newborn size clothes. Even 0-3 month size is still way too big for our long skinny munchkin. Despite being new, this tiny one is strong. He is pretty close to holding up his wobbly head and working on rolling over (though this is mostly a product of his angry protests rather than any real intent to roll).

I am surprised by how laid back and alert this kids is, and we've enjoyed seeing more of his beautiful blue eyes these last couple weeks, as he takes in the light and shadows surrounding him.

Ivor's favorite things this month are:

1. Being cuddled
2. Eating
3. Wiggling
4. The sounds of the hair dryer, vacuum and clothes dryer. (He was also listening pretty contentedly to the tree trimmers yesterday.)

Ivor is not a fan of:

1. Not being held
2. Having his diaper/clothes changed
3. Being hungry and/or tired
4. Baths

We are working on the whole wanting to constantly be held situation and Ivor is slowly getting used to spending time in his baby chair while I attempt to fit in a few activities that can't be easily accomplished with a baby in tow (like taking a shower, dressing or going to the bathroom). He is even snoozing in his chair while I write this post.

People keep asking how I feel about motherhood and I am not sure I am able to put those feelings into coherent thoughts at this stage, but one thing is sure: I already can't imagine our lives without him. It is really hard to believe that four weeks have passed since we first saw this little guy's face. I find myself torn between looking forward to watching Ivor grow and develop, and wishing he would stay this cuddly and small for longer.

Since Ivor is no longer snoozing, I will end here. We love you, Tiny One!