Chapter 138: Adjusting to Parenthood

The days and nights seemed to blur together, a continuous cycle of feedings, diaper changes, and fleeting moments of sleep. Grace had brought so much joy into our lives, but with her arrival came the inevitable challenges of new parenthood. Jason and I were learning to navigate this new world, one sleepless night at a time. One early morning, I found myself in the nursery, rocking Grace in my arms as she fussed. The room was softly lit by the glow of the nightlight, casting gentle shadows on the walls decorated with stars and moons. Jason shuffled in, looking equally exhausted but determined to help. “Is she still not settling?” he asked, rubbing his eyes. “No,” I sighed, trying to soothe Grace with gentle pats on her back. “I think she’s just having one of those nights.” Jason came over and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Why don’t you take a break? I can take over for a while.” I hesitated, my maternal instincts making it hard to let go, even for a moment. But I was exhausted, an