It's the little things...

Not much has really been happening around here, other than the constant, hectic work involved in caring for a newborn. But I thought I'd just list a few of the things that I've grown to deeply appreciate, and some of the challenges I'm still facing during this wonderful postpartum period:

Challenges:
~Staying awake/Waking up while changing a diaper, rocking the baby, quieting the baby, or feeding the baby
~Finding the time to do anything that does not relate to the baby, including things like dishes and housework, that do pertain to the rest of us
~Changing diapers properly in the dark
~Giving the baby his vitamins without getting that stinky stuff all over his clothes or mine
~Taking the time to make sure my husband knows how much I love and appreciate him
~Eating: there just isn't time
~Nursing: this has to be the biggest one. Though we've overcome some obstacles and come a long way, we still have progress to make and the process is still painful. I didn't expect nursing to be so painful or so challenging, but I really really want to make it through
~Traveling with baby: everything needs to be done quickly because he's asleep for now, but you know that soon he'll be awake and hungry
~Crying: I get so distressed when I hear J.T. cry his high pitched, purple faced cries. I don't even want to deal with it and usually pass him off to Joe or my mom and don't deal with it. I need to learn to.
~Keeping things/ourselves clean, with pee, poop, and breast milk fighting to saturate every surface

I cherish:
~Showers: they don't come often, but when they do they are wonderful
~Sleep: especially if it can be for more than three hours at a time, but every minute is golden
~Sitting down at the table to eat: it is amazing how much time can pass without realizing that you haven't eaten anything all day
~Time to go to the bathroom
~Dental hygiene: honestly, this is one of the first things to go. The other day I finally got around to flossing and part of my back molar fell out. Literally, it just fell out into the sink. So one of these days I'll need to see a dentist, and I need to pray that I don't lose all my teeth before then
~Joe and my mom, and their talent of being able to calm the baby when he's crying
~JT's nap times: only during these times can I myself sleep or choose to do one of the other above mentioned cherished things, or the not so enjoyable housework that nevertheless must be done
~The time between feedings: I'll be honest, I feel like a cow. It's nice to be left alone for a little bit
~The time during feedings: though it seems to be all I do, I do love the precious time JT and I share during feedings. I love that I can provide for his needs, watching as he goes from cries of hunger to smiles of satisfaction. I love how he falls asleep in my arms
~My family: my mom has been amazing. I don't know what I would have done without her these past few weeks. Joe has been incredible. Watching him as a father AND a husband reminds me of how truly blessed I am. My son is indescribable. There are moments when I am so overwhelmed with love for him that I take him to Joe and ask him to just look at him, just look at our son, and Joe wonders what I'm talking about because he's seen him before and he isn't doing anything new. But I just can't contain what I feel in those moments and have to share it, because I have been given a son, and he is a precious gift.
~J.T.: his smiles, his winks, how small he is because I can already feel him getting bigger (and he is, he weighed in at 11 lbs 5 oz at his last appointment!)

I hear him stirring, so that's my cue. I have such an appreciation for everyone who has ever mothered. It is such a huge task. And thank you all for your prayers, we have needed them and are very grateful!