I get it now

The last time you read this blog I made some claims about regularity and general awesomeness.  I keep apologizing for appearing and then disappearing.  Damnit! I love this blog and want to dedicate time and energy to it . . . but life gets in the way.  Lately life (as always seems to be the case), has been a little nuts. I'll recap (again):

• We moved to the city!  I no longer have to drive forty-five minutes to the grocery store. In fact, the night we arrived, I drove to the nearest grocery store at eleven at night and pranced through the aisles. Just because I could.
• We moved to the city. Moving is about as pleasurable as a trip to the dentist, which is about as high on my enjoyment list as alien abduction. Thankfully we got good and settled before our next big event.
• We had a baby.  We had a baby! Our very own little human who is sleeping upstairs as I type furiously before she wakes up.  

Those events combined have made my previous claims of regularity and awesomeness quite unrealistic.  My kitchen has been occupied by loved ones who feed me as I attempt to eat one handed while nursing without splattering food on my newborn.

I've watched the evolution of my friends' lives on Facebook.  Those who don't have kids post exciting pictures of their adventures, meals, nights on the town. Those with kids, post darling photos of their growing children and profess how awesome parenthood is.  I was a member of the first category, largely ignoring those sweet baby photos (not because I wasn't interested but because I didn't get it).  I GET IT NOW!

Having a child changes EVERYTHING.  Your body, your emotions, your ability to shower, pee, load laundry and unload the dishwasher in less than 15 minutes, your perspective on life, your suspicion of strangers, your relationships with EVERYONE, your conversations with God, your capacity for love (this list is endless).  

I get it now. All I want to do is take pictures of my child. Talk about her in every single breath. Instagram her ever-changing facial expressions.  Hashtag everything with: #babylove.  

So I apologize now if things shift focus a bit here at Hail's Kitchen.  Some day I will cook again.  I will regain use of my hands for something other than changing diapers and burping my little human.  One day my camera will again capture images of delicious food items and adventures other than newborn care.

Until then, you get to see my life with child.  I am fairly certain the meaning of life is found while snuggling the downy head of your newborn into your neck. xoH

Here's the micro version of life with baby:

This is no longer the view from our backyard.  Nor is the the view of my belly.

Can you see how much fun I am having in the tub? So much fun.

This was after several hours of natural labor in the tub, an epidural, several more hours of pushing,

and a baby that refused to come out the way God intended. 

Malia Grace born November 1 at 3:58 a.m. 7 lbs 2 oz, 19.5 in.

Pure baby love.

The Great Samoan Hunter transformed!

Our first attempt at baby carrying. Great success! 

Cutest baby ever.  No bias here.