Selah Marie turned 12 weeks old last Friday, which means my maternity leave is officially over. I returned to my job yesterday, a decision I’m feeling really good about, even though I cried big, hot tears when I had to kiss her goodbye.
The newborn period has definitely passed as well. No longer is Selah the sleepy, snuggly baby of these pictures (seriously, I think she slept straight through the first six weeks of her life — except between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight every night), but she’s becoming an observant, talkative, giggly little girl. There’s already so much I miss about her newborn days, and it’s nice to sort through these pictures and remember those first few days with her.
My lovely mom took these pictures for us, and I’m so grateful for the way she captured the reality of what I was feeling — joy, fear, bewilderment, and fierce love. I like that my belly is still softly rounded from pregnancy. I like that my eyes look a little tired. These pictures so accurately portray those early days, and I’ll treasure them forever.
