Becoming a Parent

​For 3 weeks, now, our Gracie girl has had us wrapped around her little finger. Andrew and I are so smitten with her.

We love her squishy, chubby cheeks.
We love her dark hair and big, expressive eyes.
We love getting to know her spunky personality.
Like the way she fights being swaddled but then not-so-secretly loves it once she is all wrapped up in what we affectionately call a "Gracie-burrito".
Or the way she smacks her lips after being fed, as if to say, "Yum, Mom, that was especially tasty." Then the milk coma hits and she sleeps for the next few hours, nestled into our arms or chest.
The way her face scrunches into an angry pout when we try to wash her face. But then her whole body relaxes when we wash her hair. She LOVES having us brush or massage her head.
We love the way she looks up at us as we hold her close, and in that sweet gaze I hope and pray that she can feel all the love we have for her.

Now, only a few weeks into this whole parenthood thing, we can't imagine life without our baby girl. Yes, we have already experienced some less-than-stellar moments that have left us wondering What have we gotten ourselves into!? Nights are tough, especially now that Andrew has returned to work. The poopy diaper explosions have been enlightening. (Who knew all the crazy places watery baby poop could get into, including all the tiny crevices of the baby car seat and into the fibers of the living room carpet!?!?) And in just the last few days, Grace has been plagued with gas, and she squirms in fussy frustration. There have definitely been some tough moments.

But when friends ask us, "What is the best or most surprising thing about parenthood?", both Andrew and I have the same response: We are shocked by how much we automatically and naturally love this baby girl and would do anything for her. The love is really all encompassing, and it helps us understand a small portion of the love God must feel for all his children.

It is strange becoming a parent. In some indescribable way, your heart suddenly adores this little human who just arrived into your life. I saw this cartoon in one of my baby how-to books. It had a pregnant woman talking to a fortune teller. The fortune teller said, "You will soon fall head over heels in love with a fat, bald, toothless stranger who poops in his pants and can't speak a word of English." The woman in response said, "You must be kidding!" Seriously, I loved this cartoon because it was so spot on.

So here is to a lifetime of love for this beautiful little girl! I am so honored to be her mother and to love her this much.

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