Life With Baby

My head has been bouncing around since we brought Millie home and this blog post is extremely reflective of that.  I apologize for the lack of organization and coherence in the following:

Well, it's been over a week since we brought Millie home.  There are moments when it still all feels so surreal.  And then there are other moments when it feels as if this was the way our life has always been.  It feels as if this is EXACTLY how our lives were meant to be.

One of the greatest parts of this past week is the time that Carla and I have been able to spend together as a family.  We have had time by ourselves to simply settle into the rhythms and routines of being a family with a baby.  We have learned when Millie likes to swing versus when she would prefer a rest in her rocker.  We have learned what cry means she is hungry versus the cry that lets us know she needs a diaper change.  We have delighted in watching our pets figure out who this new living being is and are happy that they have all adjusted fairly well to having her around.  Here are a few pictures of our lives at home with Millie.

Millie has quickly shown Frankie (our dog) who is boss.  

Tummy time has turned into a team effort!

Wherever Millie is, Frankie is never too far away. 

Frankie and Millie have quickly become good friends.

Our cat, Furby, is having a hard time understanding that there is finally a place in the house, that is NOT meant for her to sleep in.  

I absolutely LOVE watching Carla play with Millie.  She is already such an amazing mother.  

And now: The many faces of Millie!

We have also spent incredible amounts of time with family and friends.  It has been so wonderful to have so much support.  Not a day has gone by without a visitor or two and it's been such fun to share our new family with the people in our lives.  I have been amazed by the outpouring of love and support for our family.  People who I have not heard from in a very long time, have found ways to reach out.  The emails, Facebook messages, blog messages, packages, phone calls and visits have meant so much to us.  I feel as if there are million hearts rejoicing right along with us as we welcome Millie to our family.

This past week has been filled with many firsts.  We have made it through our first trip with Millie to the pediatrician, our first shopping trip with Millie, our first trip to a restaurant with Millie, our first overreactive phone call to the pediatrician, our first sleepless nights, our first diaper mishaps, etc.  With each new first, we learn a little bit more about being parents.  Each new milestone makes us feel a little bit more like real parents.  Each new day makes all of this seem more real.

We have also continued to take steps in finally getting Millie's room finished.  For so long, her room sat mostly empty. We were afraid to make the room feel full before we had Millie home with us.  For so long, we were too afraid to do more than paint the walls and put up some artwork.  And now, now that Millie is here, it has been such fun to fill her room with the things that she will need.  Here is the progress we have made so far:

In the week that we have had Millie here at home, her birth family has been in our hearts and minds constantly.  We have sent texts updating them on her first night at home and her first doctor's visit.  Today, we put some pictures in the mail for them and we have already begun telling Millie about them and about how much they love her.  It is so important to us that we begin building a strong relationship with her birthparents.  It is important to us that we continue to keep them updated and that we make sure to help them feel connected to her, to us, and to our lives.  We know it will be a work in progress, but it is one of the most important things that we think we have to do for Millie's sake.

Something else that we are doing for Millie's sake, takes us far out of our comfort zone.  Neither Carla not I are particularly good at making new friends.  In fact, the majority of my closest friends have been the same since I was in high school.  I am a creature of habit and of comfort and sometimes that stops me from even attempting to meet new people. But now, my own comfort comes second to what is best for Millie.  And what is best for Millie is to see other families that look like ours.  Since we don't happen to have many families in our lives that look like our own, tomorrow we will set out to try to make new friends.  A wonderful blog reader has invited us to a new mom meet-up for lesbian moms.  I was incredibly touched by the invitation.  It was EXACTLY what Carla and I needed.  A gentle push towards meeting new people.  A welcoming gesture to help us find other families that are similar to our own.  I am thankful for the invitation and thankful that such a wonderful group of moms exists so close to where we live.

Okay, well that is enough randomness for now.  I was a bit unsure about continuing this blog now that our wait for our daughter is over.  But I was simply not ready to let go of this wonderful space that has provided me with the perfect place to sort things out, find comfort, and share our stories with other people.  I figure that even if no one wants to continue reading, I will continue to write.  And if nothing else, I know that my mother will keep on reading (thanks Mom!).

I will leave you with one final picture of our darling Millie.  A very good friend came over today to take some pictures of Millie and of us.  She sent us the following picture to hold us over until the rest are finished and I simply cannot stop looking at it. Enjoy!