Family Appreciation Month

I hereby declare March "Family Appreciation Month".

My family has always been there for me, much like Dustin's. They were at every soccer game, every school play, every PTA meeting. They picked me up after every boo-boo when I was little and every broken heart when I was older. Every "first" I've ever had they have been right there... but nothing compares to the overwhelming love and support we've received from our family this month. I have new respect for my parents- a respect I don't think I could have understood, or appreciated, until I was a parent. Dustin and I were so blessed to be able to have so much family around this month.

My mom was able to stay with us for over a month. I don't know what I would have done without her. She entertained me and kept me from going stir-crazy when Dylan was 2 weeks late. She sat with me for hours at the doctor's office the week before the induction- I think we spent a total of 14 hours there the last week! She held my hand when I was in the worst labor pain I've ever felt, and kept me going when I wanted to give up. She waited on us hand and foot after Dylan was born- cooking, cleaning, shopping, changing diapers, doing laundry. She made Dustin and I feel at ease and allowed us to get some much needed sleep. She showed us how to do things only a mother would know, and built a bond with Dylan that only a grandmother could have. It was amazing seeing him with her. He would just stare at her face. He knew who she was and was instantly comforted whenever she held him.

My sister came about 2 weeks after Dylan was born. I'm sure mom was glad to have back-up! Erin has been spoiling Dylan since the day we found out we were pregnant, and it didn't stop when she got to CA. I'm sure she was tired after traveling on a business trip for 10 days before showing up for baby duty, but she didn't let it show. She would wake up early with me, help me nurse and then hold him for hours so I could go back to sleep. She helped mom prepare meals, change diapers, and straighten the house. I think I changed a total of 2 diapers the entire time mom and Erin were here!! Unfortunately Erin could only stay 4 days before having to go back to work. The day mom and Erin left I had a nurse come to the house to check on Dylan and the first thing she said was "Wow! I can tell you have had amazing support". Amazing support is an understatement! I can't even put into words how grateful Dustin and I are for all the help those first few weeks.

A few days after mom and Erin left our second support crew arrived. Dad, Barb, Corey & Caitlin flew in from North Carolina on the 27th. They literally just walked in the door and went to work right away making dinner. Seriously, do we have a great family or what?!? In less then 24 hours upon arrival they were cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. I put Barb in charge of helping me figure out how to use my new breast pump. Little did I know this was a job Dad was made for!! He jumped right in helping Barb. He read the instructions cover to cover, set everything up, boiled all of the parts, and even came up with a pumping strategy (after extensively doing some online research). After I pumped, he would even clean all of the parts and set it up for the next pump session. If being an Accountant doesn't work out, I think Dad could have a promising career as a Lactation Specialist!

I was amazed with how grown up Corey and Caitlin were this trip. My youngest sisters are turning into amazing young women! They were such great helpers with Dylan. They would feed him with a bottle, burp him, comfort him when he was crying, play with him, push the stroller, etc. Caitlin even walked him around all of San Elijo Hills in the Baby Bjorn during one of our walks! I'm still trying to figure out how she managed that for so long- I get tired after a few minutes!! Corey was the official "Fan Manager". She would entertain Dylan for hours by turning the ceiling fan off and on. Nothing amazes Dylan more than watching the ceiling fan stop and start. Being a Fan Manager is not an easy job, but someone had to it! Thanks girls for all your help!!

Last, but not least, Barb. Being a nurse and a mother, Barb was a tremendous asset!! With all of her experience she has a quiet confidence that made me feel at ease about everything. I was a little anxious (ok a lot anxious) about everything- breastfeeding, pumping, taking care of a newborn... it's a lot to take in all at once!!! She kept reassuring me that I was doing a great job and everything was going to be ok. Sometimes you just need that little bird in your ear telling you "everything's alright". Barb was that little bird, and so much more! She gave me confidence to get out of the house, made sure I was eating ok (I was so busy worrying about the baby I would forget to eat), cleaned the house for me, and did about a million other things. I hope I get that amazing ability some mothers have, like Barb, to multi-task like that while remaining so calm, comforting & loving!!