fairies from the prairies, sleep and love

Well, I thought I'd be able to write a post every day, but life has been pretty busy.  Busy with feeding, changing diapers, napping, eating, cuddling, and trying to figure out the little soul who has joined our family.  For those who don't know us well, Michael and I have been together for twenty years, and have been on our own for a very long time.  So, our lives have been completely turned upside down and inside out.  And, although it can be rough, it's also beautiful.  All this time together has given us the ability to work well as a team.  Sure, we argue at two in the morning about if we should swaddle or not swaddle, but I am so grateful we know each other so well, and we understand our own individual needs.  I don't think we could have done this in our twenties.  I love my husband more today than I ever have. Seeing him as a dad and the love he has for this baby, is one of the reasons I can get through the sleepless nights.  Another reason I can survive the sleep deprivation, came in a beautiful package this week- our friends Sarah, Brad and their children Olive and Hamish.  I call them the fairies from the prairies.  They swept in with their canoe strapped van after camping on the island, and cooked, cleaned, changed diapers, gave us time to sleep while they cuddled Finn, all the while taking care of their own amazing children.  Michael and I are in awe.  Not only are they amazing parents, they should hire themselves out as parenting consultants.  After learning about swaddling and that sleeping is really about the parents, not the child, we had the most sleep last night since Finn was born.  As we all celebrated this in our bedroom, with bed head hair and bad breath, I gave thanks for the wonderful friendship and this amazing journey. And though it's hard,  I have never felt such love.  l love this little boy with all my might. His tiny hands, his beautiful eyes, his newly discovered smile, and his feisty personality.  I love how he coos while he sleeps, his every day alertness, the way he looks at us when he hears our voices, and his daily cuddles on the couch.  We've waited a long time for these moments and they far outweigh the midnight feeds, the sore nipples, and the wriggling and screaming while we change his diaper.  Love. Plain and simple.  Just what we asked for.