Pages

Friday 8 August 2014

Stuff nobody told me about parenting a newborn

I stumble, befuddled and bleary-eyed, from bed, unsure of the time or even, in those first semi-conscious moments, what day it is.

I rummage through the pile of discarded garments on the floor, selecting the least wrinkled, the least malodorous, and contentedly throw it on. I know I'll probably be in pyjamas all day anyway.

In the kitchen I manage to rustle up a breakfast of sorts: coffee - the stronger the better - cold left-over pizza and some squares of chocolate. There will be no time for cooking today, even if I could find the inclination, which I don't.

The detritus of the previous night's activities is everywhere; heaps of unwashed dishes and a room in happy disarray, that gives me a warm, smiley feeling to behold. This is a life well-lived.

It feels full, frequently overwhelming, full of mistakes and lessons learned without a manual, trial-and-error-on-the-fly-we're-all-still-smiling-and-no-one-got-hurt. The heady rush of daily developments and discoveries. Each moment a study in newness and magnificence. Blissful, and awash with messy, limitless possibility. Every day an adventure.

If infertility is surprisingly like being a physicist, I had no inkling of how much these first steps into parenthood would - oddly - resemble my earliest university days.



The gorgeous cause of all the leftover-eating, dirty-laundry-wearing, mess-making adventure.


27 comments:

  1. She is soooo beautiful!!! And she looks so happy in this picture. Oh, this makes me smile.

    Enjoy the mess :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a stunningly beautiful child!! I love this picture. She has such a peaceful look, I just want to scoop her up and snuggle her!

    ReplyDelete
  3. awww what a cutie with her little tuft of hair!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great photo - what a sweetie!

    I love this: "trial-and-error-on-the-fly-we're-all-still-smiling-and-no-one-got-hurt". So true.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sadie, she is soooo cute! And every word of this is so true.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love her hair and your college days comparison! Right on!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous girl!! Hang in there, mama!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a sweet little pumpkin! Sounds like you are embracing the ridiculous, glorious madness. I'm so glad. x

    ReplyDelete
  9. She is adorable! I will say though, I still am in the we're-all-still-smiling-no-one-got-hurt phase around our house! It's been that way for other three years. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, she is breathtaking. Thank you so much for sharing her with us.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Eeee! She is the cutest. I want to smooch those sweet cheeks! Thank you for sharing with her fans!

    ReplyDelete
  12. She is adorable and delightful and I am so thankful that things are starting to normalize over there!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, my gosh, what a cutie! I also love that Winnie the Pooh onesie.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sweet face! !! Awww she's absolutely beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a beautiful, sweet little girl! She looks so strong and bright eyed! Awwww, thanks for this glimpse into your life Sadie!

    ReplyDelete
  16. She is completely adorable!
    Also, seeing that cute Winnie-the-Pooh onesie reminds me of the wonderful audiobooks about said bear in German, translated and read by Harry Rowohlt. My parents discovered them when we were teenagers, and our entire family loves them. Give them a try if this could be your sort of thing at all.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a treat to see this picture of of Little Miss Amazing. Thank you so much for sharing- she looks wonderful, happy and so happy to see her thriving.

    ReplyDelete
  18. How lovely. A life well lived indeed. xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. I was thinking of you today so thought I would check in. What a beauty! Thanks for sharing her with us. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, thanks for stopping by Carrie! How are the boys?!

      Delete
  20. Wow, she is absolutely adorable!!! Just beautiful... And so vibrant! I hope, hope, hope she continues to thrive and all her troubles remain in the back mirror.

    I hadn't checked your blog since it was private. It made my day today to see your most recent updates! So, so happy for you all!

    Love,
    Mira

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mira! We hope so too. But as you can see, she really is a little firecracker (I love the way her eyes sparkle in this pic), and we think that can't help but stand her in good stead for whatever's ahead. Your love and support are so appreciated.

      Delete
  21. I said this before but it bears repeating; holy squishy deliciousness!! She's a beautiful girl ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm thrilled that you found your way here, Carole! Your support and uplifting words have meant so much in the last awful months. Thanks for abiding with us. Love to you.

      Delete

Don't be shy, leave a comment. Your words brighten my day!