When my parents had my sister in Seattle, they were all by themselves. They'd just moved there a few months before, so they had no real friends. No family. No support system, aside from each other. And after living there for a while, they up and moved to China, when my sister was still an infant, for a teaching job. There, they didn't only lack a support system, they lacked a common language and culture with their surroundings.

I keep coming back to this. It's given me a brand new appreciation for my parents, for how much they love my sister and I. Because let me just say, without any exaggeration, that this is hard. Having a baby is so, so complicated, and it gets more so everyday. 

I got a colonoscopy on Monday, and figuring out the logistics was a headache. Jason took the day off to come with me, my mom had to cancel appointments to stay home with Adelyn, Jason's mom rushed over from work to stay with me and Adelyn afterward since I was still under the effects of anesthesia and Jason had a meeting to get to. It was all one big jigsaw puzzle of rides and babysitters.



And guess what? My doctor wasn't able to do the stricture dilation as much as I needed since the strictures were so tight (it's been 10 months since my last procedure), and that means I have to do it all over again in two weeks. Another day of drinking that vile liquid for the prep, another day of juggling a newborn and the disgusting demands of that vile drink, another jigsaw puzzle of canceled appointments and missed days at work.



Even more than it makes my head hurt, it makes me realize how incredibly lucky we are to have such a support system. There's a whole host of family members and friends around me that get excited about watching Adelyn. A day rarely passes without a phone call from someone asking if they can come over so I can take a shower or take a nap (really just excuses to hold Adelyn, I think, but I'm not complaining).



I don't know how my parents did it. Sometimes I feel like I have a lot to complain about (health-wise, mostly), and then I think about new mothers that are going it alone. And then I tell myself to shut up and just appreciate how blessed I am, for this healthy, amazing baby, and her many amazing fans.



Thank you all for everything you do for us. Words can't describe how much we appreciate it.

Sarah Caitlin blogs at Nine Months to Life.