when melby was first born, every person who had already successfully raised a child insisted i cherish every moment. i would muster a half-hearted smile and wonder what was wrong with me that i just wished the moments would be done already. i got it in theory, but those were the weeks when each day felt infinite and the nights, even longer.

i didn't realize how sad and scared i was for quite a while.

then, this morning, i gave melby a water bottle with a straw for the first time. she sat on the counter, held it with her squishy hands and drank. i got a little teary-eyed wondering where almost 7 whole months went, how the tiny person, who once felt so cumbersome so quickly became the best part of my days, became this cool, hilarious person, who holds her own water bottle and begs for avocado.

i realized then, that i need to cherish every moment.

and surely someday, long from now, i'll forget how hard the beginning was and tell some tired-looking new mama the same.