Things to remember about KB

There is one thing that KickyBaby does that Matt just loved. When she woke up, she used to arch her back and stick her butt out, curling her knees in and raising her hands over her head. It was really precious.

And then, suddenly, it passes. I am amazed how fast she changes. I wish I had spent more time when she was an infant memorizing the way she looked and her small idiosyncrasies because I don't remember it now.

I cherish her first smiles and her first laugh. The smiles were kind of unclear when they started because we'd just see a glimmer of glee and then it would vanish entirely. But I think I remember the first laugh - in the car, probably on my way to work. I was sitting with KB in the back and I thought I heard her laugh. I couldn't believe it! And then we heard it again and it was confirmed.

I am always completely amazed when Kicky picks up new skills. I just never expect it, even though I know it's coming. She can sit up now with very little assistance, and she looks over at me when I talk! When she was first born, she couldn't focus her eyes! And she couldn't move her head either. I can't even imagine that now.

I love this baby.

But, boy, time goes so fast.

Ups and downs of pregnancy

I was listening to an old episode of Pregtastic today from the 1yr anniversary of the show and they were talking about the ups and downs from your pregnancy. For me, my downs were the awful hemorrhoids and the absolute dread of delivery. I should have switched health care providers, I know that now, but I just can't let go of that bad decision. I also often felt kind of disconnected from my "true" self. I kept talking about, and being asked about, my pregnancy and the baby and I never felt like I really owned my pregnant role. One of my ups was that I think I truely looked the best I have ever looked. My skin was clear and the hormones just made me glow. I also learned a TON about childbirth by reading all those books in my panic and it led me to a passion of mine - the childbirth and breastfeeding world, this community of women who suddenly become something so unlike their former selves. I love it.