On parenthood:
So one week into the now lifelong commitment of motherhood … what can I say? It feels like a privilege, an opportunity and challenge all at once. In one moment, a true miracle, at others, completely overwhelming. My head spins with questions about who Casey will be, what he will do, where he will end up and what he will look like. But really all we can do is take it one day at a time – one feeding at a time to be more specific – and see how the day goes. It is actually a little crazy that you are allowed to go home with this little person. Being parents is a huge responsibility; you would think someone would want to make sure we knew what we were doing. But they let you go home and then you sit there and look t the baby and think, “So what do we do now?” A lot of things come naturally luckily and we are feeling our way through each hour and each day. We are learning Casey’s sounds and funny expressions (so many different ones already!) and he is learning how it feels to be licked by a dog and how to let us know if everything isn’t quite right. We all have a lot to learn so hopefully we will be patient with each other.
On partnership:
I have been struck again and again by how lucky I am to have such an amazing partner to share this and everything in my life with. Jeff was so supportive during the pregnancy – making sure I got my rest and bringing me whatever I happen to be craving J. He came to all the doctor appointments and ultra sounds and kept me (and all the nurses and techs) laughing. On June 5 when we found out we were going to have our baby in the next 24 hours, he was all business – cleaning the house, running some last minute errands, and most importantly downloading the last episodes of “The Office” to the ipod for my during-labor entertainment. During labor and the c-section he was never far away from me – holding my hand, encouraging me every step of the way. During the c-section he sat at my side where he could see me and what the doctors were doing and I kept asking him “What are they doing?” and he would look over at them and look back at me and say “Nothing”. Very sweet. While I was in the hospital he manned the door, answered the phone and spent all the time he could with us in the hospital while he also tried to get himself organized to be on paternity leave. Since we have been home, he has just stepped up in every way. He is very natural dad – no doubt about it. He and Casey are good buddies already and it’s so great to watch him in action – pacing in the middle of the night, leaning in to be sure Casey is still breathing, encouraging me to do “non-baby” things at some point every day and helping me get some sleep between feedings. It’s amazing to look a Casey and realize we created him together – he is like no other project we have ever taken on. This July, we will celebrate 10 years of marriage. The next ten will certainly be different than these last ten, but with a partner like Jeff I am ready for anything!
