Enjoying Eden

If you ever get tired of your daily routine, have a baby. I assure you, the notion of routine will quickly become a hazy memory that visits you briefly in the early morning hours while you're in the rocking chair with your finger holding the pacifier in place, trying to hold your eyes open as your baby decides she has no intention of shutting hers. And as that memory visits you, taunting you like an oasis mirage on the burning sands that fill your eyelids, you'll look down at your baby and think, "I never knew what I was missing."

Life has certainly taken a drastic change for us here in the Neely household, but we are adjusting well and enjoying each day of learning and loving with our new baby. Truth be told, Kendall has taken the bulk of the late night child-tending duties as she is off from work right now. Since I can't nurse and I'm trying to get data collection done on my dissertation, we have decided that, at least during the week, it makes the most sense for Kendall to do most of the getting up during the night. But I still feel guilty. Does that count at all?

Eden is doing well. She is eating and pooping and peeing and sleeping and pooping and eating and pooping and pooping and peeing and sleeping and eating and pooping... not necessarily in that order. She went to her pediatrician 10 days after she was born and she was up to 8 lbs. The doctor was very pleased and told us that unless something came up that we would not see him again until March. So far she seems to be healthy and thriving.

We are currently looking for daycare for when Kendall goes back to work. We've called and driven by a couple of places and visited two. We have one or two more to visit and then we'll be making a decision soon.

We recently took a trip to Tampa to do our first visit to the grandparents. We did our belated Christmas with my side of the family and we got to see Kendall's aunt, uncle, some of her cousins and their families. It was nice to enjoy the time with everyone.

As I'm sure you noticed, I attached a slideshow to this post with pictures from this first month with Eden. She is such a delight. We hope you are all doing well.

That's the news for now. We'll keep you posted.