Falling in like.

The moment I gave birth to my daughter, I loved her. She was my flesh, this tiny helpless thing, the realization of my husband's and my dreams and hopes during nine long months of pregnancy. She was the beginning of a new family. But in the two and a half months since she's been with us, I've grown not just to love her, but to like her as well. About a month ago the sleepy newborn began to give way to a bright eyed, happy baby girl. Her personality is starting to shine through.

My little bear is a morning person - she wakes up and stretches and yawns and stretches and yawns and STRE-E-ETCHES and YAWNS - this goes on for about ten minutes. Then she's all smiles, ready to chat and enjoy the day. (My mom tells me I was the same way as a baby. And although my waking is often more grudging as an adult, once I'm up I love the morning, and am usually a pretty cheerful morning person.) She and I lay on my bed in the morning, enjoying a bit of quiet chat in the cozy early morning hours before the day gets rolling.

I think our girl is going to be a mover and a shaker. She likes to be up, seeing what the world is all about. She will sometimes cry the second you sit down while holding her. Stand back up, she stops. She also never cared for my pouch sling, since it has her in the cradle position. Can't see what's going on! She likes to be more upright and checking things out. She's wicked strong - even the nurse in the delivery room said "Wow, she's so strong!" as she was doing her newborn assessment. I think maybe we have another little triathlete in the making.

Every day she shows up a little more, ready to have a go at this great big world. It's fun discovering who she is. I can't wait to continue meeting her.