time flies

A picture is worth a thousand words. And so, pictures have been telling Pen's story in this little part of the world for these many weeks. It seems fitting. Because it's hard to put the experience of having your first child into words. I would need a thousand words. Maybe more.

Pen will be two months next week, but it seems like she's been in our lives for years. Like we were never without her and always with her. Like we have been Three forever. I guess that means we've adjusted.

We are settling deep into being a family. Pen is starting to become Herself. And we are starting to become Parents. We have even acquired little routines. All signs that we have adjusted. And that's a good thing.

The first few weeks feel like a blur. Just trying to understand each other. Just trying to make sense of it all. Pen making sense of the world. Us making sense of having a newborn (wrinkly and fragile and precious and demanding). Now, almost eight weeks later, I feel like we've found our footing. We have a rhythm to our days (and nights). And I can't explain what a relief it is to have a rhythm. To be coursing through this new life with greater ease.

I am amazed at how quickly Pen has changed. New little inklings of her personality appear almost daily. Small hints at who she is. She has a sweet, contended little spirit. Content to eat. Content to sleep. Content to take in the world around her. She is curious and alert, bobbing her little head, craning her neck to see More, hear More.

Pen wakes up from a nap and immediately smiles at us. A smile that does me in every single time. Such a pure whole-hearted smile. There is no holding back. There is no need to when you are so very innocent and have every reason to trust.

This is a precious time, and I'm trying to be present in these moments, these days, these early weeks. The minutes are racing by, and soon I will go back to work. Soon, she will become more independent. Soon, I will look at Pen and wonder where the first year went. So, I'm just trying to soak it all in and enjoy falling in love with our little girl.