So there's a new baby in the family.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

Extended family members had a baby. We're the only family they've got in a thousand mile radius. So we ended up being "support people" during labor and delivery. That was... exciting.

So it was a pretty bad labor. The baby girl was a few weeks early due to pre-eclempsia. It's their first baby. And mom has ended up with a pretty bad case of PPD. Dad has to work long hours, so mom and baby have been staying over at our house for a couple of weeks until she gets back on her feet. We've been happy to have them. It's interesting to see no matter how old you get how easy it is to switch back to paternal mode when there's a new baby in the house.

Things I hadn't missed:

Poop in general, meconium in specific.
Feeding problems.
When they hold their breath and turn beet red.
When they spit up and sneeze at the same time.

Things I had missed:

Big healthy burps.
How easy it is to bond with something that can only manage grunts, snorts, and squawks.
That noise they make that sounds like just maybe it's their first laugh.
Bath time.

Sigh.

[dawgmom]

1. You forgot the smell

Things you don't miss: baby poop smell.
Things you miss: the way they smell right after a bath

Oh....and the best thing of all? How soft their skin is.

[mainegreen]

2. Nothing like the feeling of a small baby curled against you resting/sleeping.

One of life's best pleasures.

[hedgehog]

3. When my kids were tiny, I swear my Dad and brother would visit just

so they could nap with a baby on their chest!

[tigereye]

4. one of my favorite things from when mine was an infant

don't miss the 3 am screaming and colic, though.

[tigereye]

5. the first time I saw meconium, my mom laughed so hard

I was stunned and she was hysterical.

[mainegreen]

6. Being a grandparent is in some way revenge for our parents.

:D

[LibertyLover]

7. Congratulations -

My daughter, now 6, was 16 months old when we adopted her, so I missed out on the cool baby stuff. But I did spend a fair amount of time early on holding her. I still do a fair amount of that now, come to think of it, usually as it gets closer to her bed time. She still has baby soft skin though, so when I kiss her, it's like kissing a baby. Enjoy the fun parts and may the, um, messier aspects be minimal.

[hamsterjill]

8. The feet!!!

I love a baby's little feet. They are so cute!

[Eurobabe]

9. Awww, I love babies

Even all the messy parts. I used to carry my daughters around all day in a Snugli on my chest.

My friend is having a baby girl in early January and since she is alone with no family (other than her hubby) I have volunteered to help her out. :D