The new baby girl in my life

My 6 years younger than me sister had a baby girl last week. My little sister, way more independent than I am, is someone who has never needed my advice because she always knows what she wants.

Last night, she called me and asked me for advice. For the first time ever.

"Can I store breastmilk in the fridge? And after, am I supposed to warm it up?" she asked.

Finally. I was asked for some advice!

Just a few days ago, my sister became a mother. It is truly amazing how much I am in love with this new baby girl, perfect in every way - it feels, in a way, that I sort of have a third child - that's how much I love her!

My boys are loving their new cousin, too. The first time they met her, they could not stop smiling. It was such a sweet moment.

I had really easy labours and deliveries, (as in 6 hour labours, pushing for about 20 minutes with both babies, and both times, I was induced) so I sort of expected the same for my sister.

Didn't quite turn out that way for her, though. She was in labour for 27 hours. She pushed for 3 hours. I was so stressed, I bet my blood pressure was through the roof as I waited for her to deliver her baby. Since the happy family arrived home I sort of haven't left her house. I feel bad for my sister because she's not going to kick me out but, I don't want to leave. Because I love holding her baby!

I can also say with absolute certainty, as much as I LOVE the newborn stage - and am enjoying my sister's baby - I'm not going to have another baby. I am exhausted just watching my sister feed on demand, I don't want to have to deal with losing that weight again, and we are close to not needing diapers anymore. Now with this new baby in our lives, I can enjoy it all - but still go home and fall asleep when I want to.

I think this post - my tips for new moms - and this post - about my life before I became a mom -will come in especially handy for my sister now.

Congrats, mama! Welcome to this awesome, amazing, thrilling, emotional world called parenthood, a world you have now just begun to understand. Your life has just changed before your eyes - enjoy every moment. And don't worry. You will get to sleep again. Not sure when, but eventually! (Sleep is overrated anyway!)