The End of Life as We Knew It

H and I realized a life long dream over the summer. We added a child to our family. It was a long frustrating process getting the child. Having the child is an exhilarating exhausting experience.
Everyone says that having a child completely changes your life. H and I intellectually understood that our lives as we knew them were effectively over. No longer were we the center of our universe. Intellectually knowing something and being ready for it are different things.
We expected that we wouldn't go out as much. We knew that our outdoor adventures would be curtailed. We knew that sleep would become a precious resource. We knew that alone time would be scarce.
It has been the little things we didn't expect. We didn't expect that running to the store for a quick errand was a major excursion. It needs to planned so that you go between feedings and that the baby is not already napping. Then there all the supplies that need to be packed into the diaper bag. It takes longer getting ready to go to CVS than it does to drive there and back.
I didn't expect that the egg which has packed two sea kayaks, two bicycles, and enough camping gear for two weeks would be space constrained when taking a trip to the mall. The stroller, diaper bag, and related baby supplies consume the majority of my hatch. The baby seat effectively takes up the back seat because there needs to be a seat next to the baby incase she gets super fussy.
I certainly didn't expect that I would become hyper focused on another person's health. I notice changes in feeding patterns, changes in sleeping patterns, or her general attitude. I watch her breathing for signs of trouble. I notice slight changes all the time.
The biggest change is the amount of joy she brings into our lives. Her smile is enough to make up for a day of crap at work. The silly baby noises she makes are better than a good joke. It is truly indescribable.