Amnesia....

Labor hurts. Almost everyone on the entire planet Earth knows that. Except me. Because I forgot. You think going at this the 5th time around I would know what to expect. Not me. I really truly didn't think it was going to hurt this time. I have memories of sweet epidural taking my pain away, but not of the pain itself. It wasn't until noon when every contraction brought tears to my eyes that I vaguely began to remember that labor was indeed that---labor. I also forgot how true exhaustion feels. The kind where at 4 am when you are up for the 4th time your head is throbbing, your body aches, and it takes what seems like an eternity to drag yourself off the bed into the living room to feed someone who insists that eating every few hours is necessary. Complete exhaustion that sometimes brings tears to your eyes because crying seems to be the only release you get. I forgot. But, I also forgot how easy it is to sit on the couch and watch a newborns facial expressions for hours without it getting old. I forgot about the giant lion sized stretch with the baby's back curled and their bum sticking out and how sweet it is to cuddle that little body up when it's done stretching. I forgot how easy it is to fall in love over and over again with this new little person that is now considered mine. I forgot. I'm glad I get to remember it all again. I'm putting these memories deep in the recesses of my brain so I don't forget ever again these precious moments that pass with the blink of an eye.