HRM Parent Blog

by guest blogger Deanna Cogdon Miller (her photos by local photographer Kerianne Brown)

Last week as I sat holding my eight week old while he slept, I noticed him making sucking motions with his mouth in his sleep. As I watched and listened to him, memories of his two sisters doing the same thing as they slept in my arms as newborns filled my head. I realized then that even though I thought I'd soaked in, taken a picture of or written down every little detail about them when they were babies, there are a number of things about the newborn stage (like sucking in their sleep) that I'd forgotten.

Knowing that I was watching the last newborn I was going to be bringing into this world, I decided to make a list of the things I want to remember about newborns so that I never again forget. Here they are (in no particular order) -

The Wrinkles. Remember how they don't even fit into their skin in the early days? Our little guy was 8 lbs 11 oz when he was born and he still had back wrinkles and lots of room to grow into his skin.

The Baby Package. Remember how when you pull them out of a car seat, swing or bouncy chair, their legs stay all curled up in a seated position? It's like they're giving you a head start on a good cuddle because it's the perfect position to put your arm under their little bum and snuggle them into your chest.

The Startle Reflex. Remember how a sudden loud noise causes their arms and legs to fly straight out to the side as if they were doing a starfish jump into a pool? My husband and I got such a kick out of this with our first daughter that I'll admit we clapped a few times to see if we could make it happen.

The Razors. Remember how you could trim, clip, bite or file those nails and they were still as sharp as razor blades? This is my third baby and I still haven't mastered the art of the newborn manicure.

The Wild Arms. Remember the lack of control? Swatting themselves in the head, rubbing at their face and scratching their cheeks with the previously mentioned razor sharp nails.

The Peck. For those who nursed, remember how they'd start pecking at you when they were hungry? I still can't help but think of a chicken or rooster when my little man starts pecking at my shoulder and then starts tilting lower and lower until he gets close to the source of his nourishment.

The Irresistible Scent. Remember that wonderful smell? I think it's a combo of their newness and the light scents used in baby soaps, diapers and baby detergents. Whatever it is, it feels almost euphoric to breathe it in when you hold them close.

The Noises. Remember the coos and their first attempts at talking? My personal favourites are the sounds of contentment that come when they're nursing - sighing and making satisfied little noises as they do one of the things that makes them the happiest.

And finally, that first smile. There's nothing like it. Most of us have probably written down the date of the first smile or taken a picture of the first smiles but what we should remember is the feeling that first gummy grin gave us. A feeling of acknowledgment, a feeling of happiness and most importantly, a feeling of connection. That one smile says "you make me happy", "thank you for taking care of me" and "I love you".

If I were going to create my own expression from an old one, I'd say "take the time to stop and smell the newborn". It really is a magical time and it passes far too quickly.

Deanna lives in Dartmouth with her husband and three children. When she's not reading stories, dancing to ABBA or burping a baby, she works in communications for Bell Aliant.