"Your baby has a neck!"

As our family (and the amount of household clutter) grows, I'm realizing something super important. 

Small accomplishments are just as valid as the big ones. 

Small accomplishments are wondeful. 

Things like washing the laundry, even if it isn't folded yet. Listening to my body and taking a nap when I need it. Finding a bassinet that fits perfectly next to our bed. 

Atlas eating one ounce from me before he got frustrated, and eating the other three from a bottle. That's still an accomplishment. 

The anxiety goblin in my head doesn't love it, but I'm learning to celebrate the little things. I got to work only five minutes late. I folded the laundry. I kept myself and the baby alive another day. 

Yknow, little accomplishments. They matter. 

My lactation consultant is a saving grace with this. 

"You're such a good mom."

"You're giving him everything you have." 

"You're doing so well!"

I repeat her words over and over when I leave. Things I know. Things I should be able to tell myself, and believe them. But it's still nice, still easier, to hear them from someone else. 

Yesterday we saw her again, and I breathed a sigh of relief. She's like the strongest person in my corner. She's the knowledge of an LC and the love and support of Matthew all rolled into one. 

We chatted about Atlas's latest accomplishments, and how work is going for me. As we left, and she gave me her standard two minute bear hug, she exclaims, "And, your baby has a neck!" 

...excuse me??

She tells me, we can see his neck. It's a sign that he's been getting plenty of tummy time, and that his frenotomy and subsequent exercises helped with his muscle tension in his neck and shoulders. 

It's a silly little thing. But I repeated to myself all day yesterday, "He has a neck!"