The first month as a parent is amazing to say the least. Between the birth process, adjusting to your new life, learning about your child, supporting your partner, and figuring out a new work/life balance, the first 30 days are pretty special and overwhelming. And time does “fly by”.
The first two weeks go pretty damn fast, but the first month is gone before you know it.
Baby Burleigh was born at less than 6 pounds and her body didn’t even quite fit into her skin. Fast forward 30 days and she has already started filling out, growing into her body and the newborn clothes she was previously swimming in. There are times when her cheeks even look “chubby”. She’s a champion eater and a developing sleeper.
Everyone is starting to figure each other out – baby is learning how to function outside the womb, her cues are becoming clearer (ie. she only screams when she is hungry and has no problem sitting in a saturated diaper), and her sleep schedule is a little more predictable (until she decides she wants to spice things up on us).
We have figured out that she can be a “loud” sleeper, and that an occasional whimper or cry doesn’t necessarily call for crisis mode. We are learning that unlike when we first brought her home, we have to actively put her to sleep throughout the day – or we all suffer.
My wife and her have created somewhat of a daily routine, and together we have been able to establish an evening routine with increasing consistency.
My wife and I are learning how to function with less sleep, not lose our minds, and stay supportive of each other. We have both naturally gotten frustrated, but we recognize when it happens, knowing that our heart is always in the right place, even if our emotions take over.
But I think the most important thing that we keep reminding ourselves is that this first month is just one of the many phases that we will all go through together as a new unit. Each phase will have its own set of adjustments, challenges, and triumphs, but it will soon pass and be replaced by something else just as amazing.
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