Happy 1 month to our sweet baby Riyaan!

Before you were born, we had two major worries. How were we going to find the space in our hearts to love you as much as we love Ishu? And how was Ishu going to handle sharing his parents’ attention with another person?

Well, the moment you came into this world, your Papa and I felt our hearts expand and we knew loving you would be the easiest thing in the world. 

Also, your big brother has done a real good job of making sure he is still the center of attention. Everyone’s schedule continues to revolve around him. Including yours. This is made easier by how easy-going and low-maintenance you have been. Your Ishu Bhaiya/Dada has also showered you with so many kisses, touches (maybe even some pinches) on your cheek, and comforting words that make us feel so excited about the two of you growing up together.

We love your adorable little baby squeaks and squeals. And the half-smile that creeps across your face for fleeting moments when you’re tired and milk-drunk. Papa, the future Pediatric Rehab doctor, has tried to convince me that they’re not real smiles but rather involuntary facial muscle movements, but I’ll keep pretending you’re smiling ’cause of me. 

When we chose the name Riyaan for you, I thought I was gonna call you Ryu. Like the Pokemon. Even though I know nothing about that world. But then Riyu makes more sense. However, at this point, I haven’t used either. You’re still just “Mama’s baby” or “baby brother.” And, more often than not, we call you “Ishu.” I think that slip-up will never stop, y’know? #SecondKidProblems

You’ve been a little baby-on-the-go during this first month. Starting from when you were 2 days old, you joined us outside as we walked the five blocks back home from the hospital. After that, it’s been non-stop outdoors for you – parks, restaurants, a picnic, a carnival, a museum, even a boat as we took you on a water taxi on Lake Michigan!

I have to also mention the uncountable number of times we’ve had to do laundry. Because you think it’s real fun to poop right in the middle of diaper changes. Lucky for me, this only seems to happen when Papa changes you. So I won’t hold it against you. Because it makes me laugh every time. 

Right now, all you really do is sleep, drink dudu, and poop. You like being snuggled up in papa’s arms. But you will always favor mama’s chest. Obviously. You hate hiccups and you hate waiting to be fed. You can immediately tell when we’re trying to quiet you with a pacifier while mama gets ready to feed you and you are NOT down with that trickery. Your Nikku Chacha called this your “reverse blinking” stage. Ha. 

I know each of the next few months will bring so many more changes and new favorite moments and milestones. But this also means I have to remember to truly be present for each moment because it’ll be gone so fast and I can’t have it back.

Your Ishu Bhaiya suddenly looks so big to me, and I don’t even know when that happened, but I’m not ready, I’m not ready, I’m not ready. I just want to stop time and have you be my babies forever.

I am the luckiest to be your Mama. A real “boy mom!” now. We love you sweet boy. SO SO MUCH.