Wednesday

It was after 10AM when Storey woke up this morning.  This was not after a morning nap.  Nope, this was Storey’s first time to wake up for the day.  Sleeping in is not unusual for her.  She has actually almost made it routine.  Josh and I repeatedly say to each other how incredibly great she is and how lucky we are.  We attribute her sleeping habits to our commitment to co-sleeping, the practice of having baby sleep in our bed with us.  Within three weeks, she had adopted our sleeping patterns.  Storey still wakes up during the night to eat, but she generally sleeps from about 10PM to 8-10AM. 

We consider ourselves extremely lucky. 

 

It is waiting for and watching Storey wake up for the day that is my favorite.  She usually stretches and yawns for maybe an hour, weighing the pros and cons of getting up.  After some restlessness, she is still again.  When she finally does wake up, it is the most beautiful thing to watch.  Her big slate blue eyes pop open, she is wide-eyed as if seeing the world for the very first time, her lips pursed together into a tiny O.  I am by her side, greeting her with love and kisses.  (Sometimes, I treat myself and sleep in with her so I do not miss this moment).  We smile, talk about our dreams.  Our morning routine then consists of us walking around the house, taking a walk outside- to greet the world again.  She is so happy to be awake.    

Tuesday

I have a huge sense of regret today that I have not been able to document Storey Mae’s first three months in writing. It has been a beautiful three months that I wish to remember forever. I have resolved today to try and record Storey’s day, if for no other reason than to remember the details. There are days we both do not get dressed until the late afternoon, and I do not have a free hand to brush my hair, let a lone sit down at a computer. Let this be a promise to Storey and to myself that even on days like these, I will write even just a sentence about our day.

Today Storey was propped up in her boppy with a blanket tucked in around her neck to keep it up.

Her neck is getting stronger by the day, I just know it. But until she can keep it in place without it bobbing up and down, we will use the blanket. I had her sitting on the bed while I put clothes away. I had set her bunny rattle on her lap to see if she would take any interest in it. Sunday afternoon, on our successful car ride back from Medina Lake for Easter, I sat in the back seat with her, and Storey tried so very hard to grab this rattle. I could tell she was thinking about it. She would even let out shrieks and grunts of frustration as her arms just could not follow though yet. At the end of the 45 minute car ride, Storey had successfully grabbed the rattle, held on to it, and hit herself in the face.

We were both ecstatic. It was a good day. A good first Easter.

This afternoon, Storey was able to grab the end of the bunny’s ear and lift it for a few seconds. I don’t think she was as happy with this, but I was beaming. Josh was here to witness this on his lunch break. We will practice again tomorrow.

After Storey finished eating this afternoon, I stood her up on my tummy by grasping her chubby belly. She absolutely loves this. Sometimes I think she is going to just get up and start walking any day now. Her legs are so strong, and she is so happy to be standing up

 like Mom and Dad do. I can see how proud of herself she is in her eyes. They beam. While Storey stood on my belly beaming, I became really sad. I guess the thought of her walking all by herself got me thinking that she wil

l not always be this heart-breakingly innocent child. She will someday have her own thoughts that will lead to actions that will lead to an effect, whether positive or negative. While I am so eager to know who this child will be, what will make her happy, what she is curious about; I am sad she will lose her pure innocence and her faithful dependence on me.

I think I could just keel over with love for this baby. I have moments of such intense emotion, that I think I could explode or start crying. I thought I understood Love; I have no idea.