1 in a Million (literally): Settling in...

As I walk through an average day, I often narrate and compose blog entries in my head. As those who read my blog know, those blogs very rarely translate into actual entries lately.

I am utterly exhausted when my head hits the pillow each night... and the tiredness is not gone when the baby wakes and fusses, usually 5-6 hours later... nor at the 3 hour mark after that, when he wakes for another feeding and (usually) the day.

I returned to work at 5 weeks and, now, am back to working full time and catching up with clients, attending trainings, and assuming new responsibilities at the office. Also, I am looking for money for next semester at NC State, helping Nathaniel work out possible details for a family business, and maintaining the house and life in general. The hours in the day have somehow stretched and I am able to accomplish more than I thought possible at one time. I rarely, though, feel well rested or energized as I navigate this surprise stage of my life.

I have made a vow to myself that I will not wish away any stage or hurry through anything as relates to our little boy's growth and development. As Auggi is the only biological child and only newborn I intend to have (barring God-sized amendments to my plan), I want to savor every moment I can to the fullest. And, right now, savoring means writing, one of my favorite activities, is sacrificed. Also on the altar is as much time with friends and, most notably, SLEEP. Bare Minerals makeup products and straight hair are also burnt offerings at this point.

And, never have I been so in love with the impetus for such sacrifice.

Let me say that Nathaniel and I are blessed beyond what we could ever ask. We have a good baby. He is generally happy and only fusses when he needs something. True, at this stage, he usually needs something every 5 to 20 minutes, making for one breakneck-needs-meeting-schedule. However, his smiles and giggles are rewards like none other. And, thankfully, when one of us is down, the other is able to pick up the slack. I do not know how single parents are able to do it all - that is a strength I cannot comprehend and can only respect. I am so thankful for my husband and his relationship to our little boy.

He is slow to put on weight. He still has yet to "chunk up" as other babies do. His development, however, is within normal limits and not a cause for concern... just curious. He is currently in the 75th percentile for height and 20th percentile for weight. As I have never been tall or skinny, I am not sure how to relate to those statistics, but am THRILLED that my child will get to carb out as he sees fit if this trend continues... His gross motor is very rapid and ahead of pace, while his language is exactly on track and developmentally typical. He is the baby for whom Dr. Karp wrote "Happiest Baby on the Block" and he relaxes only when swaddled with a pacifier and on his side. His pediatrician is a woman who I am sure has to hide her wings, I am so convinced she is an angel, and has created a modified, slow vaccination schedule that only includes the most pertinent shots (as opposed to the more rigorous recommendations that have us vaccinating children against chicken pox and diarrhea). All in all, parenthood is wonderful... and life is hectic.

Since his birth, we have traveled to Boston, New York, New York City, Washington DC, and the NC coastline. His grandparents came from Utah for 2 whole weeks and he really enjoyed bonding with them. His Aunt Elizabeth came from Boston, we got to spend time with every biological aunt and uncle and cozied up with some cousins. He is a regular at my office and can nap anywhere, like a pro... he already can say that he regularly falls asleep on a therapist's couch! He's had his first road trip, train ride, and airplane ride... we have not stopped it seems! Life is very overwhelming, tears are common, and each day brings its own, very real challenge. However, this little boy is so full of promise and worthy of our love, it seems that we cannot give enough or go far enough to give him all we want him to have.

There are so many blog posts that will never get posted, as the time has become too great since the last entry. So, I'm going to leave everyone with one of the greatest galleries of moments captured in pictures as a means of illustrating the life Auggi makes worth living... and hope to get back to writing sooner rather than later!

Chillin' with Uncle Mattala

Sitting like a big boy in his big boy shoes

Day of his baby blessing... we have a picture of his Tio Bobby in this same outfit, on this same blanket, doing this same exact thing...

Grandpas blessing the next generation...

Auggi at Wellness Management and Recovery training... the trainers fell in love with him and sent a certificate for him, making him the youngest person to be trained in that procedure in North Carolina history!