Adalyn's first week

Well, finally a moment to sit down and write down some of my thoughts and feelings about the last week!  What a roller coaster!  Mothering is the most beautiful thing and also one of the hardest things I have done in my life up till now.  The last week has been a crazy whirlwind of visitors and trying to figure out my new schedule, or rather Adalyn’s schedule, amidst the exhaustion of not having slept for 2 nights straight and then very little the following nights.  I don’t think I was prepared for the amount of work it is to take care of a newborn. 

Adalyn Joy was born on Monday, June 27 at 4:00 in the morning.  My water broke after church on Sunday afternoon and then began the labour process.  It was worse than I expected, but when I think of it now a week later, the memory of the pain has faded.  Women always told me this is how it was and while I was going through it I wondered how anyone could ever forget the agony!  I understand now, though I'm still definitely not ready to do it again any time too soon!

It’s almost impossible to describe the awesome relief and joy when the baby slides out and is laid in your arms.  After everything I went through, I felt like laughing and I’m pretty sure no one could’ve wiped the huge smile off  my face! She was so perfect and beautiful!  I couldn’t stop saying to Mark and Adalyn, “We did it!”  We made it!” 

Monday afternoon we had visitors.  My mom and dad were the first ones to see her.  Later Tim and Angela came with Isabelle, Mark’s mom came for a while and later in the evening Meg and David came as well as Mark’s dad.  We were so proud and it was so much fun to show off our beautiful daughter! 

 

Grandpa

Granny

Auntie Angela, Uncle Tim and Cousin Isabelle

Grandma

Uncle David

Auntie Meaghan

Grandpa

The next day we had company from my mom and her friend and from Bonnie and Taunte Tina.  Later after we got home our neighbour lady stopped in with her 4 children, Josh and Cara came with Carter and my Aunt Norma came with cousins Anna Marie and Nancy. 

Bonnie

Uncle Paul

Great Auntie Margaret

I really wish I could share this with my sister though.  It's hard that she's so far away.  I'm so grateful for skype, that we can visit that way and that she can actually see Adalyn in real time.

  

I felt so unsure about everything the first couple of days.  Feeding was a whole new thing.  I was constantly worrying about whether or not she was getting enough and if she was eating too often and getting into a bad routine.  I still wonder and am still learning, though I feel much more confident about it now than I did 2 days ago.  I imagine it will only get better. 

Coming home from the hospital was the first time I shed tears.  We packed her up in her car seat and she looked so tiny in it.  I sat with her in the back seat of the car and half way home my tears started flowing.  I just couldn’t believe that such a sweet beautiful baby was ours and that we were actually taking her home to stay!  I think having her in our space made everything seem so much more real to me.  She was coming to invade our lives and our life would never be the same.  I remember one morning after only about 4 or 5 hours of sleep most of which were broken up, I said to Mark that I just wished our life could go back to normal, just for one day or night. Haha.  I would never trade Adalyn in though.  She’s amazing!   

I think I have cried every day since we took her home.  My emotions seem to be running wild and I will cry at the silliest things.  My mind goes wild and it’s hard to think logically. Sometimes I have no idea why I’m crying. haha Like I said, it’s been a roller coaster!  

 

I have had so much help from family the last couple of days.  I am overwhelmed by the support I’ve felt.  The house has almost never been empty with just Mark and myself.  Mark’s parents are living in their camper at our place for a week while they are moving.  They don’t have a home right now so Mark’s mom has been extremely helpful in making meals and cleaning up the kitchen and just caring for Adalyn so I can have some naps.  My mom was over for a day as well to help me do laundry and other household chores while Mark was away helping his parents pack up.   

Sometimes while I feed Adalyn I read the Bible out loud to her.  It is so precious and helps me to focus my attention on what really matters.  It also helps remind me that these present troubles and hardships are only for a time and my strength comes from God.  I feel so inadequate to raise Adalyn.  My deepest heart’s desire is that she will grow up right and trained in the ways of God.  I want her to know that God loves her unconditionally and be a person that brings glory to his name.

 

Mark is such an amazing daddy.  I love watching him with Adalyn.  The next couple of months are going to be pretty crazy with work for him and I am praying that we will all make it through that time. 

Friday was Adalyn’s first outing.  We went to a grad party for Mark’s cousin.  I was nervous about going out, but it all went very well.  I think the more I go out the more comfortable I will get with it. This morning we went to church and it was awesome.  I don’t know what I was so worried about. 

Well, perhaps I’ll stop my rambling.  Sorry to those who’ve made it to this point.  I think this post is almost more for myself  then for anyone else’s interest.  I don’t want to forget what these first couple of days were like.  

Adalyn's first bath.