Bubble burst

Today is Hayden’s first day back at work. The center of world for the past two weeks has been our king size bed, where Austin, Hayden, (occasionally) Jeter and I have been primarily located since Austin was born. We have shopped, done taxes and most importantly cuddled our newborn from this site. Not a moment has seemed long or dull, but instead like a peaceful dream – warm, loving and content.

Our parents have left us, as hard for them as for us to say goodbye, and made more difficult by the cherubic character that has filled our lives with so much joy. Armed with precious NJ bagels, Trader Joe’s essential survival stocks and prune juice that I never needed, the new grandparents from both sides were beyond generous, loving and supportive. They doted and cooed over a beloved if mostly inert little boy, rewarded with an occasional double eye open or flourish of gas.

Today hasn’t been so bad. After the morning routine with Hayden, Austin and I went back to sleep which was very nice. I then dove into the unwieldy mass of my regular, maternity and nursing clothing to sort out what I need and what I do not. A sudden need for button down shirts for easy boob access has, for example, replaced my go-to maternity t-shirts that gallantly stretched over my tummy into the last days of my pregnancy.

Austin is awake now, making one-handed typing tedious. We think an afternoon walk may be in order as the temperature may exceed 60 degrees – a glimpse of Spring that unfortunately will not yet last. We have dressed Austin in one of his finest onesies for the occasion. Jeter is delighted for a bonus walk, but assures us that this doesn’t count toward his evening walk. And we all wait for Daddy to return home.