an update

The days are slipping by as I maneuver this strange new world of parenthood. I'm showering daily, I can wiggle back into my old clothes (with the admitted muffin top), and I'm drinking water like I've walked through the Sahara desert at midday. 

Hunter is super adorable and hungry on a very routine basis (as am I!). I know that every mother's experience with breastfeeding is different, but I'm loving the experience. There is nothing like the skin-to-skin time and the fact that I can provide vital nutrition to my son. It's also a great forced slow-down time for me. My mind tends to race and focus on the chores that need to be done or the emails to respond to or the friends to call. Breastfeeding makes me take a breath and enjoy the intimate bonding time with Hunter. I'm trying to remember that there will always be laundry, dirty dishes, and a to-do list. There will not always be this moment to enjoy with him. I will have to return to work, he will grow up, he will change, but this is now and it is beautiful and sacred. 

Hunter, Scout, and I went out on our first walk today. It was sunny and hot. We did a nice loop around the neighborhood. I was amazed at how long it took me to put the affair together between coordinating Hunter's feeds, getting him in a clean diaper and a clean outfit, getting Scout's collar on and her poop bags ready, loading up the car seat and the stroller, getting my sunglasses, water, and phone, and actually getting out the door. This is perhaps why mother's are often running late! I'm trying to give myself grace and know that I will become more adept at these things as I go and have some practice.

Hunter is making his route on the social circle. He has meet two uncles who seem to like him very much. The aunts are arguing over who is to be the favorite. The nephews like him, but still seem a bit disappointed by the fact that he's not ready to do much football playing or waterskiing. 

I'm loving the days and continuing to dread the nights a bit. It's hard to sleep in such strange intervals and wake up to feed at odd hours. I worry about Hunter breathing through the night and will sometimes jolt awake wondering where he is (he's in a bassinet beside the bed). I think motherhood is going to be full of worry and delight for me as I'm sure it is for most mothers.