Looking back...

Last night we went to see our friends Miro and Marcela. They had just welcomed a baby girl into the world, Adriana, on Saturday afternoon. As we packed up our 20lbs 5month old into his Britax car seat (yes, he is too big to fit into the infant car seat we originally had!), I tried to remember what it was like for us during those first few days at home with a newborn. It's hard to remember Xander as tiny... or at least tiny for him, as he was born at 9lbs 5oz! The last five months has been full of growth and milestones. He laughs, smiles, and reaches for us... he's interactive. I can barely remember the days when his eyes couldn't focus on us and his hands were balled up and uncoordinated. So it was with great curiosity and excitement that we went to see the new parents and meet their new baby girl!
Miro greeted us at the door like the proud Papa he was! Slovakians have a flair for entertaining, and a new child is nothing but a fabulous reason to celebrate! We drank champagne in the bedroom, surrounding Marcela and pretty Adriana. My word was she tiny... she was born at 7lbs or so, but as expected in the first week, had lost 8oz... so she must have been in the 6lbs range. Xander had never been that small... I had never held such a feather light infant. With all the muscular conditioning that Xander gives my biceps everyday, I could hardly feel the weight of the darling girl! I could have held her for days without tiring!
Sitting on their bed, watching Marcela trying to get Adriana to latch and eat, brought back a rush of memories... those feelings of uncertainty in your parenting skills, the worry about if the baby is getting enough to eat, looming jaudice, and the total absorption of your energy and focus on this little person. That total fascination in just watching them breath and dream.
John and I felt like seasoned old timers... after all, we made it through the jaudice, the feeding problems, the first cold and the first fall of the couch. We've learned to trust our instincts, and read our son.
Seasoned pro? Not quite.
But I'm sure enjoying the ride.
Congratulations my friends! Welcome to the club!