6 months old!

6 months ago, I was giving birth to my daughter after several scares and complications from the pregnancy. But after a long labor and quick delivery, Melody Rose was born in to the world on October 27, 2009 at 7:01 in the morning. The first thing I remember is seeing them place her on my chest and being completely blown away at how small she was. At 4 lbs, 9 oz, and 17 inches long, she was tinier than any baby I had ever seen in real life. I held her close to me immediately and was shocked at how calm I felt. I didn't cry as I expected but just felt overwhelmed with peaceful joy. I had wanted to be a mother my entire life and having a daughter was a dream come true for me.

We were blessed that Melody was perfectly healthy and though small was able to leave the hospital after only 2 days with no NICU time. The first night she was home, Dustin and I (who are both hot-bodied people) cranked the heat on and sweated it out, constantly checking on our little bundle who was swaddled and had a hat on in the bassinet next to me. Throughout the night I woke up to an alarm every 3 hours and pumped milk, then fed her, then changed her diaper, then went back to sleep. And repeated the cycle until the morning. She was an angel and let me sleep between the feedings. Before she was born I suffered insomnia which went away as soon as she was born. I was tired that nothing could stop me from getting sleep!! The first couple of days, friends and family stopped by to visit. Many people had never seen a baby out of the hospital as small as her and many were afraid to hold her. But she was a content baby and didn't cry very much.

As time went on, we found her personality to be very go-with-the-flow, but at the same time once she really wanted something, you'd better hurry!! :) She is sassy and sweet at the same time. She is the type to watch you walk around and study her environment. She doesn't give her smiles as freely as some babies, unless you are her mama or dad--then she gives them all the time! I have learned to really understand that she is not simply an extension of me, but her own person and with her own particular needs.

Being a mother has taught me sacrifice, selflessness, and love in a way I didn't know was possible. I am forever grateful that I have been blessed to be a mother.

6 months are gone but not forgotten. The next she will be growing much more and moving about more. She will be interacting more. Gone are the days of having such a tiny little girl, but those days will never be forgotten. I love my little Melody.

I love you sweetie and can't wait to see what the future holds! You are so dear to me and I never knew what people talked about when they expressed their love for their children until I had you. Now everything touches me quickly and I cry at the simplest things, because I relate them to you and to being a mom! :) You bless your daddy's life and my life so much.

HAPPY 6 MONTHS!!

-Marshmelody

-Chinchilla

-Mel Mel

-Little mama

-Mel O die

-Baby girl

-"B"

- Etc, etc