What Child is This?

"The babe, the son of Mary"
"Holy infant so tender an mild"
"For unto us a child is born"
"Glory to the newborn King"

For the first time this year, these words have stood out to me like never before. How many times have I read Luke 2 or how many carols have I sung without really thinking about it? Like all of us, the Savior was, when he entered this mortal world, a baby. Having a new one myself, it truly never occurred to me until now how miraculous that is. As Sam and I watched the Primary children reenact the nativity on Sunday and we looked at our little baby, we thought, "can you believe that Christ himself was once as she is?!" The Son of God, the creator of the world, was once just a tiny, vulnerable infant - cold, needing to be fed every 2-3 hours and changed just as often, with no control over little flailing hands and kicking feet, unable to communicate except by crying, completely dependent on earthly guardians for His care....and He did it for us. He did it for my little Alexis and for me and for everyone who has ever had to live as a helpless baby and for the rest of our mortal experiences and pains too. And what a wonderful time of year to be and have a new baby. You might call Christmas the ultimate celebration of a new baby.

I'm tempted to make a joke about gold, frankincense, and myrrh as being the ultimate baby shower gifts, but we'll leave this on a spiritual note. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

A Little Obsessed

I used to love "A Muppet Christmas Carol" growing up, so when I saw the full movie on Youtube I was so excited to re-live old memories and see it again for the first time in years. It's better than I remembered! The inspiring story by Charles Dickens + the humor, music, and fun of the Muppets = genius. I've had these and many other songs in my head for days. Sam sweetly bought me the movie as an early Christmas present, but I think it has only served to exaggerate the problem.

Miss Lexie

It's amazing how much you can learn about such a little person, and for us the little personality that we're discovering in our Lexie.

Likes:

• Nursing. Her favorite thing ever and it makes me proud.
• Getting her diaper changed.
• Making her dance while we sing "every baby's shuffling".
• Her pacifier.
• Doing the Hokie Pokie with Mommy.
• Bath time (this is a new development).
• Josh Groban's Christmas album. Her eyes just light up when she hears his voice.
• Getting bounced on Daddy's knees.

Dislikes:

• Bottles. She'll only take one if she's absolutely starving and the situation necessitates it, and sometimes not even then.
• Tummy time. It begins and ends with screaming.
• Sitting in her swing for any longer than 5 minutes. She's learned that it means we will not be paying attention to her exclusively.
• Going to bed at a reasonable hour. Right now she has the sleeping habits of a teenager: she's up until 2am generally and sleeps until 10am. We can't figure out how to change that. 

We're also finding out that she has quite the sense of adventure and we can't stimulate her enough. She gets bored easily and LOVES to be played with constantly, which can be pretty exhausting to do all day long. Thank heavens for baby carriers.

In December

Behold! A post not entirely about babies!

In my middle school chorus years ago we sang this sweet song called "In December" for one of our Christmas concerts. Of course, it's one of those pieces only written for such choirs so I can't find it anywhere to hear it, it's only in my head. But for some reason I've never forgotten it and think of it every year. The last line of the chorus goes, "In December, we remember all the joy that love can bring." Because it has been stuck in my head for a week, it's message has also been stuck in my head.

I love this time of year. I love how it brings families, friends, and even strangers together. I love how we turn our attention and our lives more fully to the Savior. I love driving around after dark admiring the Christmas lights everywhere and thinking how it symbolizes that He is the Light and the Life of the world; how His love lights up the darkness. That's the joy the song was talking about.

What I Wish I'd Known Before Becoming a Mom

I can't help but recount some of the lessons I've learned in the last few weeks. My days are defined by new lessons, so I love to share the knowledge.

1. Kellymom.com. Manna from heaven on all the confusion that is breastfeeding. Feeding Alexis was surprisingly easy and enjoyable from day 1, but we've hit a few speed bumps along the way that I'm so grateful to have resources for.

2. You never know what ideologies, methods, or tactics you may completely embrace that you didn't expect to, so keep an open mind. For me, co-sleeping to some extent has been a lifesaver. I never would have guessed that before she came.

3. Purple crying is the pits. Sometimes babies just cry, and hard as it is to hear it, especially when you've tried everything and feel guilty for not doing more, it's ok. Alexis had one night this week where nothing we did calmed her down and we finally had to walk away and let her cry it out, because it was 3am and we were going to collapse. I probably cried almost as much as she did, but the next morning? Happy as a clam and cooing away at us. Babies are resilient.
4. You can never judge another parent. You never know what issues they or their children are dealing with. I'm impressed by the sacrifice of any parent that's capable of feeding, sheltering, and just keeping their child alive to see adulthood.

and finally... 5. you will figure it out. I remember thinking that first week home how impossible it seemed to care for a newborn and do ANYTHING else after my mom left and how scared I was to have to do it. And guess what? When she left, somehow I figured it out. I'm still figuring it out, but every day is progress.

The poor thing has already suffered through her first cold, sniffling, rattling cough, sore throat (we think) and all. She is resilient as well as strong, stubborn, and very intelligent. It's amazing how much individuality and identity there is in such a little person. No doubt she was her own person long before she joined us here on Earth. I guess that's the last lesson: never forget that they are first a precious child of God and you will always have His help in raising them.

The One-Armed Life

 Rocking the wet hair. No point in hiding reality from you.

I think I'm getting the hang of this mom thing. I think, no matter how much advice you hear, it comes down to just figuring it out yourself - like driving stick-shift or leaning to water-ski. The trick is to do it.

Some days are easier than others, though I've managed to shower, get dressed, and even put on a little makeup every day this week before noon. I hear that's pretty good progress for having a child this age and it certainly helps me feel more human. Getting work done is a different story, though, as I really have a hard time staying focused while she's awake, not to mention typing with one hand is a little challenging. Then, when she finally does go down, I'm left with a very short window during which I can do anything else, including pick up, make myself lunch, or catch up on sleep. Amazing how I can stay inside all day and still not have enough time in the day.

BUT.......look at that sweet face. How could she not be worth it? (A sample of her newborn photos, courtesy of my friend Monica. I can't wait to get the rest!)

This is Piglet

 She's already a week old, and thus far she has truly lived up to her name. She has the chubby face, eating habits, and adorable squeal to prove it. Oh, and she's in pink a whole lot. :)

She also responds to: Squeakers, Princess Fusser-Face,

 

Dollie, and of course, Miss Lexie. (Maybe I should add Zombie-Maker to that list).

Nights are long, but she really is such a good baby. Also, blessings upon the head of my mother who has been with us helping out since she was born, doing our laundry, making dinner, taking Alexis so I can shower, and so much more. I remind myself that this is the same woman who 24+ years ago was the one nursing, swaddling, changing, and rocking me. Every day I learn more just how noble the calling of Motherhood is.