6 Weeks

Wow, I can't believe it's been six weeks since Kimber was born. Somehow it seems like she's been around forever and that she just got here yesterday, all at the same time. I've had so much fun with her these past few weeks that time has flown by! She is really a fun and incredibly sweet baby. As someone who has grown accustomed to sleeping in as late as I want over the last couple of years, it's a joy to wake up and see her happy face at 6:30 every morning. Even the dirtiest diapers don't bother me because it's hilarious to see her smiling and so pleased with herself. She actually sleeps really well right now which I'm trying to enjoy while I can. She tends to eat non-stop all evening long like she's preparing to hibernate for the winter, but then sleeps for 6 hours. It's great, but I keep trying to prepare myself for that to change. Fortunately she doesn't seem to have a problem with dogs because they all seem to like her. She's been licked from chin to forehead more than once by Trooper, and Bosley has taken to cuddling up next to her while she's eating.  She still seems to love music, most especially Pink and songs from Glee. I'm not kidding either, both seem to calm her when she's upset whereas country just annoys her (she's just like her mama!)

Being a new mom is unlike anything I could have ever expected. I knew there would be lots of early mornings and diaper changes and late night feedings, but I didn't know what it would feel like to have someone depend on me so completely. Nor did I know what it would be like to love someone so deeply and worry about them every minute of the day. I barely slept at all her first week here because I couldn't even close my eyes unless I knew she was safe in someone else's arms. I finally learned to put her down to sleep, but even now she still sleeps in the room with me and I don't know how I'll ever put her in her own room. Rather than keeping me awake at night, the little noises she makes in her sleep are comforting and help me fall asleep. The days can be long and pretty exhausting, but that brief second where she smiles at me or does something to make me laugh makes it all worthwhile. She truly is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen and has already been such a blessing in my life.

Trying to eat her boppy pillow

I made my first real mommy mistake last week. My parents and I were headed to the track to go for a quick run. I grabbed the diaper bag knowing I only had a few wipes and a couple of diapers on hand, but expected that to be enough for such a short trip. On our way we stopped at O'Reilly's for something and I checked her diaper after noticing a suspicious smell. Biggest blowout yet. I didn't even know what to do. Even if I did have enough wipes to clean her up, she didn't have anything to wear and I really didn't feel like going white trash and just taking her out in her diaper. Luckily my parents were with me and able to run into Walmart for some wipes and a new outfit! I definitely learned my lesson and won't be making that mistake again!

Two weeks ago my doctor cleared me to start working out again. I've already gone out for a few short runs and they were great! I couldn't believe just how much I had missed it over the past few months. Those two miles were just as slow and painful as it was when I first started running two years ago but I loved every step. Even though I'm not very fast (even at my very best) and I still have a long way to go to be where I would like to be as far as mileage goes, running has become an important part of my life. Moving to Japan has kept me from making the progress I would like career-wise, and running has given me goals to achieve and something to be proud of myself for over the past two years. Our BOB jogging stroller is waiting for me back in Japan and I'm really looking forward to taking Kimber out in it and building my mileage back up again! I'm anticipating many miles and lots of fun together with it.

Talking to her friend in the mirror!

Right now we're in Alabama for my grandmother's 80th birthday party. As hard as this whole evacuation situation has been, in a way it's been a bit of a blessing. Had we not come back here for her birth, a lot of my family probably wouldn't have gotten a chance to meet Kimber until after we moved back from Japan. It has been great being back here and I'm really glad everyone is getting a chance to meet my little angel before we spend the next two years so far away!