Liesel Grace 4/15 to 4/26

Liesel Grace 4/15 to 4/26

She just keeps growing and growing!

The End of an Era

Since Liesel's birth I've noticed a sudden uptick in news stories about children dying in freak accidents, drive-by's, meningitis... etc. This is certainly a scary world but nothing shattered my confidence of today's society than this past Saturday when I took a look at what has become of cartoons. Those who grew up in the 30's probably mourned the loss of frugality and hard work. The 40's an astounding patriotism. The 50's simplicity and the American dream and the 60's activism. May I speak for my fellow gen X'ers and mourn the loss of good Saturday morning cartoons?


They talk about the golden age of film and I now truly believe I lived in the golden age of Saturday morning cartoons. There were the Gummy Bears... bouncing here and there and everywhere. HIGH adventure that's beyond compare, they were the Gummy Bears (dang catchy theme song might I add). Then there was Fraggle Rock with the Doozers who's dedication to work and productivity I later came to believe represented the establishment I would inevitably join when I became of age. What happened to Dungeons and Dragons? That show made me believe even mere teenagers could conquer and prevail against insurmountable odds if they just stuck together. Okay, I have to admit I couldn't handle The Incredible Hulk because he scared me (green still isn't my favorite color) but at least the option was there. I can't even find good ole Looney Toons where I learned that taking shortcuts like Wiley Coyote will land you nowhere so just speed through life in contentment like the Road Runner. I never did get the whole Acme brand and why Wiley kept buying stuff from that company, but nonetheless I learned valuable lessons. No no, all these treasures have gone by the wayside and what's left is mass-produced, mindless drivel not fit for even the most mentally incapacitated person.

What kind of a world have I brought this innocent child into? What on earth will Liesel do on Saturday mornings? The preview I saw this past Saturday was further proof of the principle of entropy and that this world is indeed falling apart. I don't understand why they can't at least do reruns... or are those also passe? Is there nothing with any shred of entertainment value left on TV? Oh what a world, what a world! What Saturday morning cartoons do YOU miss?

Keeping It Together

It's a little known fact that new mothers need exactly the same care as newborn babies. They need to be nourished, well-rested and clean in order to perform at maximum capacity. Of course, in these early stages maximum capacity consists of not a whole heck of a lot. At first blush this may seem like a simple task but with hormones out of whack and a baby who doesn't yet speak English it's tantamount to discovering the Grand Unifying Theory of Physics. Did I mention it all has to be done one-handed? Whoever penned the scripture about the left hand not knowing what the right was doing MUST have had children. So my point is that all this multi-tasking takes great effort. Enter the women.

In the famous novel Moby Dick there is a chapter that talks about the difference between hunting a male whale and a female whale when they are surrounded by kin. When a male whale gets harpooned, all the other males split to save their own uh, well I guess blubber. However, when a female whale gets harpooned, the other females stay around to comfort her as she's dying... even at the peril of their OWN lives. It seems to be a part of the female psyche to circle the wagons and support their kin.

Since Liesel was born I've had the most amazing support vis a vis two sisters-in-law (or is it sister-in-laws?) and my younger sister. My mother and youngest sister are currently serving missions and then my older sister is weeks, nay DAYS away from delivering her own bundle of joy. Absolutely every woman who was available from my family packed up her things, left her home and family and came to Boston to cook, clean and take care of Mom and Baby. They have been the glue that has kept my life together while I've been healing from this life-changing event.

Yesterday I dropped my younger sister and her daughter off at the airport. We had to stop by Brent's work and then that was it... I was flying solo on VERY shaky wings. Liesel survived and so did I, but suddenly the weight of this new creature was upon me. There would be no handing her to someone while I took a shower, or a nap, or a second nap... okay and a third nap. No one would be fixing me a plate of hot food or folding my laundry for me. The biggest void is having those magnificent women to talk to. They are the ones who showed me how to use a breast pump, told me it's normal to wake up covered in sweat as my body sheds excess fluids, talked to me when it was in the middle of the day and nothing was on tv but Antiques Roadshow. As I sit here in our little apartment blogging away it is silent aside from the gentle breathing of my napping baby. I think it's the loss of this companionship that has ultimately brought me to tears every time someone left to return home.

I have to hand it to them though, like boy scouts they left my camp better than they found it. I've been nigh on comatose the last couple of weeks and the place is respectable and clean. I'm in much better shape than I was right after birth and I'm delighted to report I can again sit up straight, drive, and live through the day without being on pain medication. Thanks so much ladies, you have been my saving grace!

Liesel Pictures!

Links to Albums (I split them out by date):

Day of Birth 4/2
First Day Home 4/4
First Weekend 4/5-4/6 (with aunt Lisa and aunt Krystal)
Liesel (with aunt Reagan & cousin Paisley): (4-7 to 4-13)
With our good friends (4-14)


Enjoy!

An Affair To Remember

I'm cheating on Brent. Before you judge me too harshly as a horrible person let me point out he's cheating on me too. We've fallen in love with someone else. What can I say? It happens.

Somewhere between the first dose of pitocin on Tuesday afternoon and my release from the hospital Friday morning I became smitten with the most angelic creature I've ever encountered. I'm a goner, and there's simply no looking back. No one told me when she was finally born she'd take my heart and soul with her.

Her hiccups delight me, her sneezes entertain me, her snoring endears me all the more. Every squeak, squeal and yes, sometimes even squawk is the most precious thing I've ever heard and I want to hold the moment forever. Her searching eyes and soft pink lips are too perfect to come from this world. When she cries and I call out, "Hey girl" she quiets at the sound of my voice. Yes yes, I am her mother and she is my very own baby.

Brent feels the same way. Lest you think our marriage has hit the rocks, let me allay your fears. We're suddenly simultaneously in love with each other now more than ever. Watching him hold her, coo to her, rock her and dance with her has given me a million more reasons I thank my lucky stars he is my eternal companion. Welcome Liesel, you're our third Wuehler and you are so very, very loved.