The days are filled with so much now. They are both long and short and not like any others. Everything feels full and sweet. Amelia sleeps as I write. She is awake much more now, but at this moment: quiet, quiet. Outside the windows the season has definitely turned to fall. Our trees glow yellow and maroon and crimson red. Yesterday Andy spent the afternoon cleaning up the yard. The rains are starting today, and the sky has turned opal white. Frosted glass. The house is warm and dark. The fireplace is hard at work. The lamps are lit low, even at mid-day. From early morning until night, the bulbs glow like illuminated peaches. The baby's room is robin's egg blue with rosebud wallpaper, the slanted-ceilinged corners lit by tiny bulbs behind rose-pink shades. When I check in on her in her crib, it's like looking in on a pearl in her pearly shell.
We have the nicest, nicest family and friends I could ever hope for. People come throughout the day to catch a glimpse of my fair lady with her eyes open. They bring salads and casseroles and soups and enchiladas and emapanadas and apple cakes and gingerbread cakes and roasted chicken with potatoes. It's glorious. For lunch we quick-munch turkey sandwiches and chips; for dinner we are well taken care of by our industrious crew. I am so grateful for this kind of love.
Miss Clover Honeytoes Meadow Paulson has taken to big-sisterhood as if she were born to it. She seems to have been waiting for the chance to prove how good she can be at this. She's very, very quiet and gentle when she is anywhere near Amelia. It's kind of amazing how she just knows to be that way. I'm so proud of her. We are still quite cautious with her, and have given her plenty of space to get used to this new member of our pack (and, also, plenty of attention). But she knows what's up, I think. Clover is a gentle soul, and naturally cautious, and quietly protective. When we are in the living room and Amelia is in her cradle, Clover lies under it. I put her dog bed there after I saw her do it several times. Dog of love. Thank you to those of you asking about how she and the Bee are doing! I think the Bee is still, for the most part, completely oblivious. She comes and gets some food and some pats a few times a day, as she always has, and she's looked at the baby a few times, I think. But she's Bridget. And that's about what (and all) I expected from her!
Andy is over the moon. I'm floaty, and tired, and so happy, and wandering around in utter amazement. Still dazed. Frequently teary. So happy. Just can't believe it. I can't believe she's finally here. I really can't believe she's really here. Wow.
Love the pictures, she is a gorgeous baby! So happy and thrilled for you.
Awww... so sweet! I am so happy that you and Andy finally get this wonderful experience. Being a parent is the most wonderful thing in the world... well... right up there with finding one's soulmate! :-)
Of course Miss Clover is the perfect big sister. Many congratulations to you all and welcome Amelia.
She is beautiful! Congratulations are your newest little blessing.
Alicia, thank you so much for all the updates and glorious pictures! It's strange how lives in blogs we love become so important to us in the most real and curious way.
I love that you shared about the fur siblings. Iwas wondering so much.
Clover under the crib... almost brings me to a light sob of touched heart. A tender tear for sure...
Sigh.....
Beautiful moments of jeweled treasures... these times...Of Amelia being with her Mom and Dad, and furry siblings, during a glorious autumn season in the warmest most loving home on earth, me thinks ;)
Love, Vanessa
What a beautiful beautiful little girl you have.
I check in every day to see if there is news about your sweet family (even though I know you must be busy!) and today's post made me smile and cry, as they all have. My heart is so full of joy for you all.
Tears of joy for you and your hubby and the newest little member of your family. XO
~Melissa
My heart is full for you...Enjoy these early days as they fly by. Congratulations parents! Sending love across the miles...
Jamie (a longtime reader) xo
Oh! Oh! I came for more photos, and here you are ;) I am so completely happy and yet I have cried each time I have come to visit you in the past days. She is sooooooooooo beautiful. So perfect. So 'you' - enjoy every moment, and thank you for sharing her with us all.
Little Lady Amelia is such a beauty. Enjoy these golden days.
blessings & hugs,
Laura
Thank you for the updates, and the pictures! it is amazing how seamlessly she seems to be fitting in. so happy for the strangers that live across the country. so nice to be part of your "extended" family! keep the posts coming! and yay for clover meadow!
So, so delighted for you!
She is breathtakingly gorgeous. I'm so happy for you both.
Make sure to get plenty of Mama and Amelia photos; she'll treasure them when she's grown.
Congratulations to the both of you.I have followed you for a few years. I am full of joy for you. i know you will be great parents,and she is one lucky little girl.
God Bless your family
Marcie
I came for more photos too! Thank you for posting some to tide us baby fans over for the weekend. The picture of Clover underneath the cradle just about undid me.
And quite selfishly, I hope to see a picture of you and Amelia together at last.
Much love,
Nicole
Congratulations to you and Andy.. I am so happy for you both. She is the luckiest baby on the planet.. and one of the most beautiful. I wish your family all the best... Peace, Donna G
It must be sort of odd for you to get comments from total strangers (like me) telling you how your posts make them (me) cry. But you just are so obviously happy and enjoying this time in your life it makes me nostalgic for those glorious early days with babies. I don't need to tell you to enjoy because it's clear that you are! And I'm enjoying your pictures of your cozy house and sweet family. Blessings.
Thanks for all the beautiful glimpses into your happiness. Your joy also fills my heart.
Happiness always!!!
Connie
dear Alicia
I am so happy for you
xx
This post completely warmed my hear....Amelia, Clover, and the pure joy for you and your husband.....sigh.....
I cannot say how happy I am for you and your family. I pray for enormous blessings for you all and for little Amelia to have the creative spirit of her mother and the strength and serenity of her father. Great news and thank you for sharing it x
So very happy for you. She is beautiful! I LOVE that first picture!
Oh that smile on Andy's face says it all! I remember the first month walking about with raccoon eyes and missing the feeling of my bed sheets. Little Amelia looks like she is quiet happy with getting her picture taken :)
I'm really sorry if I comment like I'm a real live friend of yours; I know I'm not, but sometimes it feels like it it's true; the internet and buying your stuff, books and kits, and reading your blog feels real sometimes. Forgive the familiarity that I feel for you and your family even though you don't have it with me. What a weird start to this post.
What I wanted to say is this: Your daughter Amelia... YOUR daughter, your DAUGHTER, Amelia, oh, my, she's just so lovely. I am really so happy for you. I do not have a husband or a child, just a little dog. And I am so happy for you. Congratulations.