It’s been a loosely guarded secret, but the so-called cat is out of the bag: I had a little girl last week!

As many of my readers know, becoming a parent was not my number one goal in life. But now that I’ve met her…let’s just say everything changes. Five hours of sleep is the new 12 and somehow that’s OK with me. Nursing is difficult- sometimes shockingly painful- but worth every minute. Seeing her look at me is a just reward for every physical or emotional thing I’ve been through this week.

I never thought I’d be this way. Sure, I thought I could do it, but I didn’t think I’d be this…overjoyed. I know that I sound like every other new parent. But it’s true!

Her name is Ainsley Elaine; she weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 19.5 inches long at birth. No, there are no current plans for her to have her own blog (but that might change). The pets are adjusting pretty well; Mr. Kitty is a little afraid of her, Mini is cautiously curious, and Silo is nonplussed. Sunny is still at my parents’ house and I cannot wait to see her reaction to the new kid in town.

In some ways I feel totally different; in others, completely the same. I’m completely in love with someone I only met ten days ago; on the other hand, I’m looking forward to resuming my wine tasting hobby!