"A baby fills a place in your heart that you never knew was empty"

First post from the mommy! It's so hard to want to take time away from Neal (staring at him, holding him - I'm spoiling him these first couple of weeks!) or sleeping to do this . . . but I want to say how much I love being a mom! From the moment I delivered him, I felt the most peace, joy, and contentment I have ever felt. It was the most incredible thing! I have a wall hanging in Neal's room that reads "A baby fills a place in your heart that you never knew was empty." I bought it because I thought it was cute, and I liked the way it looked. But when Rebekah was here and I was telling everyone my feelings about Neal, she said, "it's just like that saying in Neal's room" and I realized how true it is. I feel complete and healed of everything painful I have ever been through, my joy is the most sincere beautiful thing I have ever felt, and when I look into his eyes, I have this depth of emotion I can't describe. Having a baby with my amazing husband has been so amazing for our marriage and feelings for each other, and it has given me a greater understanding of not only my mom and dad's love for me, but my Heavenly Father's love for me as well. I cry just thinking about or telling people how much I love my son (I know it's partially the hormones, but this is serious stuff!).

My mom was here for a week (which was so sweet and wonderful by the way, hopefully I'll post more on that later) and she babysat for us Wednesday night so that we could go on a date. We went and saw Kung Fu Panda, which I highly reccomend by the way! It was hilarious. Here is me with him right before I was separated from him for the first time in 10 months!

Our little family Right after his first real bath, with Nana's help - I actually mostly just watched her and Jon and took pictures! I definitely feel sad a lot about not being able to make him happy every minute . . . it breaks my heart to see him in pain (he swallows a lot of air when he nurses, we're working on that) or just if he's upset. But I love being his mom and do the best I can and have faith that the Lord will bless me to know what to do for him. The first time I prayed after having him, I was overcome with the feeling of how I was now entitled to answers and inspiration for him in my nurturing of him, and that brings me such comfort. I love my life!