The First Month

Bringing home a baby is one of the most joyful yet most tiring times of a parent's life. I had an even harder time bouncing back with James because he was my first middle of the night baby. After losing an entire nights sleep on D-day and caring for a newborn every couple hours thereafter, I was a walking zombie the first week of James' life. Thankfully, we were blessed with meals from our church family so we didn't have to worry about cooking much in December. Our friends also indulged our sweet tooth, and even Hamilton took comfort eating too much sugar as we polished off an entire pan of cinnamon rolls brought over by his boss.



Aside from church outings, James spent most of his first month of life at home. Those early weeks were far from dull, however, as he celebrated his first Christmas and the start of a new year. When he wasn't sleeping or being loved on, he was content to stare at his reflection. The baby mirror and ball were definitely first month favorites!



With both parents home to cater to him in those early weeks, James did not have his first good cry until the morning he turned a month old. Daddy was at work, and it was our first day back at Classical Conversations. He was fed and dry, but I just didn't have time to hold my sweet boy and stop his tears. Every seasoned mom knows it won't hurt a baby to cry a little, but something about hearing his angry cries for the first time just made him seem a bit older. When I rescued him and his quivering bottom lip from the crib, I kissed his balding head and realized his newborn days were quickly fleeting. Though I will miss those wrinkly legs and tiny fingers, I am so thankful James is a healthy growing boy. God is good!