There's no place like home

She's home! Do we look like proud parents or what?

We brought our precious bundle of joy home last night. It was the most surreal experience of my life. I have to admit, I had a moment of panic before we left the hospital. Alexa has been such a laid-back baby so far, even when she started feeling better. Until yesterday, one hour before she was set to go home, I had never really heard her cry with the volume cranked up to 10, face red, back arched and completely inconsolable. Once again, it was a food issue. She woke up only two hours after eating her last meal and was completely starved. I snuggled, sshhhed and rocked her to no avail. She would stop for a few minutes and then start crying again with passionate fervor. I decided she was on my schedule now, grabbed a bottle and let her eat. She immediately simmered down and chugged her way through a much needed meal. When the nurse came to see her I nonchalantly shared that I fed her already. The nurse gave me a surprised look, but I didn't care. She's my baby now.

Nighty night pumpkin cakes! This is Alexa's new bassinet
which will be in our room for a few weeks.

My fears were unfounded that the loving, cuddly bundle of joy that we knew at the hospital was somehow morphing into a screaming, crying package of terror. She has been absolute bliss since being home. She eats well and sleeps well. I haven't slept hardly at all, simply because I'm a light sleeper and I have the classic new Mom must check to see if my baby is breathing syndrome. I heard every sigh, hiccup, laugh and sleep whimper she made last night. I had to work really hard to keep myself from getting up out of the bed and looking at her every few minutes. Once when I did look at her (in a sleep induced daze) I panicked and thought she had somehow turned herself on her stomach. It was just that it was so dark I couldn't see her facial features. I thought I was looking at the back of her head when it was actually the front. Once my eyes focused and I saw her little eyes, nose and mouth, I breathed my own little sleep sigh and staggered back to bed.

Daddy Picard has no trouble multi-tasking. He's on the phone and the computer while holding Alexa.

Daddy Picard stayed home to snuggle with baby today. He's sleeping in a chair with her right now. He doesn't want to put her down, but we'll work on that. He's even changed a couple diapers and dispensed a few feedings. He's changing into the father I knew he would be right before my eyes. It makes me love him even more, which barely seems possible.

Mom & Alexa bond over the first sponge bath at home.

As for how I feel about being a Mom, well, it's like a mystery of the universe has unfolded before my eyes. I am a curious soul and have always wondered how the bond between parent and child forms and why new parents seem to transform into new people. Now I know. Becoming a mother is a biorythmic magical wonder that has transformed everything from the way I breathe to the way I think. The first time Alexa looked at me and I could tell she really saw me, my brain neurons started firing inside of my head at Indy 500 speed. I knew at that moment that my heart, mind and soul will forever be devoted to making this little beauty happy, safe, warm, loved, strong and smart. It's a beautiful and purposeful feeling. She completes us.