So I've discovered the dirty little secret of motherhood ... something that your "good mom" girlfriends don't like to talk much about before you have your own kids. It's the fact that the first few weeks with a new baby are so tough and lonely and unrewarding ... generally miserable ... not at all the way they make things look on the Johnson & Johnson commercials!

It has been really difficult to know if I am having any "success" at all. I wake up every morning to complete chaos in the household, a baby that's covered in spit-up, pee, you name it despite the fact that I just bathed and changed her. After several days of that, you can see how I might feel a tad hopeless.

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Anyhoo, I was feeling like a particular failure today when suddenly I realized that my only real job right now is to keep this little angel alive and thriving. If she is alive and relatively well fed at the end of the day, I have accomplished something. Looking at the picture below, I saw distinct ROLLS OF FAT on her sweet little arms as well as MULTIPLE CHINS below her tiny cherubic face. Then I made Aaron weigh her to confirm that she has indeed gained 1/2 a pound over the past couple of days. And for the first time so far, I felt like I've done by job ... at least one of them ... the important one anyway. So until there is more expected of me (like helping her get a decent score on the ACT or behave appropriately in a restaurant) I will count this as VICTORY for our little family, however small it may be.

It's Hailey's world. We just live in it.

Yeah, we know we’ve been slow to update & post some pics of her highness. But I’m going to play the “just gave birth” card for a free pass on this one. Anyone who has created, birthed and then attempted recovering from birthing a 10-pound baby will give you the list of reasons why I'm justified in loafing around for 2 weeks before posting anything. I think all of that combined with her refusal to recognize night as the time when the Oakeson family SLEEPS has taken its toll. Things are looking up a little now and I am starting to believe that it won't be like this forever. Aaron & I just may be able to get back to our crazy work schedules including his regular 14 hour workday. And I just might set foot back in the beloved gym sometime before Christmas! Here's hoping!

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So here is what you all really want -- pictures of our benevolent dictator. Sorry she is sleeping in all of them. But she has 3 main activities right now: Eating, Sleeping, Pooping. We didn't think you wanted to see her eating or pooping so this is what you get.

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Wakin' up is hard to do

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Being boss of the house is EXHAUSTING! .

I don't know what I was thinking with this hat. Oh, I know! I was thinking she might be cold & hats on babies are so cute. But looking back, this is kindof a stupid hat. She looks like a baby pope or something.

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It's all good in da' hood.

Hailey and Dad are best friends! They love their naps!