Things I Don't Want to Forget

So for the past month i have had a running tally of things in my head that I don't want to forget. My sweet girl is only so little for so little and I have to write these things down before they are gone from my memory forever :) (which could happen sooner than you think) So, in no particular order, here are a few things that have been mulling around in my head when I think about my Lydia.

- The way she hates to be woken up. She is a grunter in general, but when she is woken up before she wants to be, there is a fit of grunting that one would never think could come out of such a tiny human being.

- The grunting. Although it doesn't really seem all that amusing when we are trying to sleep at night, during the day it is so stinking cute.

- Crying. Rarely does she cry, but when she does, it is so sad and adorable all at the same time. When she really gets going (again rarely), her wide open mouth shows her tiny little gums and that wailing can be heard for miles. So sad, but oh so precious.

- I must document this.... currently she is sleeping and making little wimpering sounds. Adorable.

- I love when she is eating and she makes noises like it is the most nourishing and pleasurable thing in the world (which it probably is). She eats and swallows and makes noises like one would make when he or she gets am ice cold glass of water on a hot day. Oh so refreshing.

- She has a face that likens to that of Popeye. One eye closed and round little cheeks :)

- Stretching. Always she is stretching. Usually she has kicked out of her swaddle by the time she wakes up. I have to be creative if I want her to stay swaddled until her next middle of the night feeding.

- When she is awake, she is wide-eyed in wonder; alway taking in her surroundings.

- I love when she looks at my eyes. She just stares and stares. Oh she has completely captured my heart.

- She loves her daddy. Andy is so good with her and she loves spending time with him.

I am sure the list will go on and on. But for now, these are a few things I don't want to forget.

A Month Already!!!

My baby girl is one month old today! Consequently, her due date is tomorrow. Funny how we plan things that never turn out the just how we think they should. A week or so ago I was looking at my "list of things to do before baby comes." Ha. Life has a way of surprising us.
At this moment, my sweet girl is rest closely against me (with the help of the wonderful Moby carrier). I can feel every breath she takes and hear every little squeek. It is hard to believe that a month ago yesterday Andy and I were called into the hospital to have "more tests taken," which really meant, "We're going to try to induce you and get this baby out!" Looking back, Lydia and I were in a dangerous spot. My protein levels were through the roof as well as my blood pressure being too high for comfort. They told us I would have a c-section and although I had originally planned to have a natural birth, at this point it was not an option. I recall being so relieved that she would finally be here and that this dangerous part would be over very soon.
I don't remember much about all that happened in that 24- hour period, but I do remember hearing my baby cry for the first time. Those wails were music to my ears. I remember looking into Andy's eyes, both of us crying, and listening to our sweet little girl. I remember seeing her, fresh out of the womb, all bundled up and though not able to hold her, able to kiss her head and tell her I loved her, in person, for the very first time. After being away from her for an entire day, recovering from being various drugs, etc. I was able to finally sit up in a wheel chair and be taken to hold Lydia for the first time. A moment without words is all that can describe what it is like to have your first child put in your arms. A child that you have been dreaming of for so long, just wondering what she will look like, smell like, be like. And then she is here; just like that. It was amazing to meet the beautiful little girl God had created.
Over the next few days I would continue to recover and Lydia continued to grow stronger and stronger. We spent most of our time in the Special Care Nursery, holding and caring for our little girl. She passed all of her tests and was able to go home after just five days in the hospital.
We came into the hospital on a Monday evening and left on a Saturday evening. I remember finally laying down in bed on Saturday, being pretty much terrified of how to do anything. This baby was under our full care now, no nurses or doctors to help us along. Lydia slept well that night; going three hours between feedings. A good start to her first month of life in our new home.