The life of new parents

Pre-bath

Somebody was a bit cold…but still no tears. What a good baby!

All clean in our bathrobe from Grandpa Risley & Karen

Nichole, Chris & Sylvie (she’s 5 months old now) came over last night. We had dinner, watched a movie, and the girls got acquainted before bedtime. Every time Maya would grunt (her signature noise), Sylvie would laugh. It was so cute, we spent about 15 minutes just watching our little ones interact.

Aunt Brie is in town from San Diego. I had no idea what a blessing this would be. The adjustment into parenthood is no joke. Of course people tried to tell us, but until you experience it 1st hand you have no idea. It’s the hardest, most amazingly wonderful thing we will ever do. However, it takes a village. Brie has been helping on the 12-3 night shift with keeping Maya company while momma tries to get some rest. We’ve taken baby on errands and for drives, and learned how to give her a bath without making her cry. Brie is in love with Maya, that much is clear, and Maya returns the love. God bless sisters, I don’t know how I could do this without mine!

Griffin & Kate have been eagerly awaiting Maya’s debut for a long time now. A couple weeks before Maya was born we had Griffin and Kate spend the night. We all went to the Louisburg Ciderfest and in the car on the way there, Kate informed me that when Maya arrives she will become my Princess and Kate will no longer be my Princess. I got sad for a minute until Kate said, “then I’ll be the Queen”. Niki & Dennis have done a great job instilling self-confidence in their children!

Spooky mama and Maya

Maya sporting her Little Pumpkin t-shirt from cousin Griffin

Cutest Halloween baby ever

Sporting the witch socks from Grandma J.

Yummy, fingers…

Grandma Rosie taught her how to stick out her tongue

Maya with her new sheep bank from Great Aunt Barb and Uncle Kenny. She’s starting off the college fund. Will she be an Iowa State University Cyclone? Could be.

Mommy, Daddy and Auntie Brie taking baby to the doc

Little did she know she was about to be poked and prodded by the nice nurse practitioner. Maya did great, she weighs 8.15! To put that into perspective, she was born 8.6 and discharged at 7.14, so to already be up to almost 9lbs is awesome. Way to nurse Maya!

Dustin’s awesome workplace sent over this gift package for Maya

Maya Mireille’s Grandma’s were happy to get some baby rocking time in…

Grandma Jacobsen & Maya

Grandma Rosie, Momma & Maya

Thanks again to everyone that sent over kind words and support. It was greatly appreciated.

Today was filled with more visits from some friends and family and a chance to start adjusting to life with a little one.

After being up for 2 days, since the contractions started around midnight the night before, we tried to get a little bit of sleep, which, as everyone with kids knows, isn’t easy.

A typical baby uses 8-12 diapers per day (about 7200 for the first 2 years). We changed about 10 diapers today. I’m sure we have plenty of practice in our future.