The clock just struck 12:36p on Mini's birthday as I write this and I can feel the metaphorical ribbon breaking around me: the year one race is over. Phew, I made it to the finished line.
"Unprecedented" may be the word of the year regardless of my family's individual circumstances, but it aptly describes life as a shiny (with blood, sweat and breast-milk) new parent... From the disbelief and awe when they pass you your newly birthed baby, to the first night when you realize there is no one else to hand your shrieking baby to, to the power struggles over food, sleep, life-threatening implements (to an infant), or tupperware, to the inexplicable joy just to see them smile at you when they wake up...
Everything is unprecedented, everywhere is uncharted territory, and every moment is precious because now, in every way, you lack time.
Time to eat, time to shower, time to sleep, time to clean anything, time to just be alone, or alone together; time to stare at those big blue eyes, time to hold her while her eyes flutter in dreams, time to read that book again because page three makes her laugh, time to chase those chubby rolls across the floor to a chorus of giggles, time to make one more tower just so she can knock it down, time to download and decipher every sight, emotion and satisfaction because for a moment...everything was perfect.
And so is she. And you saw it, and felt it and knew it, and you don't ever want to forget it. Or, at least, maybe you just want to remember it when she wakes up earlier than she should, or bites you, or breaks a plate, or poops just when you need to leave, or strings her hair with graham cracker crumbs right after you gave her a bath. Because if you could feel it, know it, and remember it, then all moments become perfect too. Because she always is.
And so are you, you hard-working and hard-trying parent.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday, my baby.
And congratulations and Happy Parent-a-versary, me (+ Stephen) and all new (and old) parents out there. :-)
Choose your love, love your choice.
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