More Confessions of a New(ish) Mommy

I did one of these posts when Daniel was only about a month old, but I was thinking the other day about how it would be fun to do another one.

*I always thought that I would be one of those parents who got her baby into a certain routine and stick with it every day. However, I have surprised myself. It turns out I preferred the routine more while working with multiple babies. I tend to stick to a loose schedule, because it makes my life easier. Then I don't have to get uptight and worried when his schedule is thrown off. I actually feel like it has helped him to adapt better in different situations. He eats when he's hungry and sleeps when he's tired. He does go to bed between a certain time frame at night, but it's not a set in stone time.

*People always told me to enjoy my sleep because it would be a long time before I got a good night's sleep again. I scoffed. I could TOTALLY handle that. Those first few months were torture! I walked around in a daze wondering how I could ever possibly even consider having another child. I cried in the middle of the night right along with him sometimes. I even let him sleep in the swing some nights just so I could get more than an hour of sleep at a time. Yet at the same time I reminded myself that, "This too shall pass" and tried to embrace it.

*I knew for a "fact" that I would have my child trained to sleep through the night at an early age. Well, the fact is now that at 7 months he still wakes up at least once a night. Sometimes twice. Oh, and I just couldn't understand why my daycare parents would tell me, "Oh I'm so tired!, So-and-so woke up twice last night so I fed him...
Yeah. I totally feed Daniel still. Truth is, I could probably wean him off of night time feedings. Actually the past few nights the second time he wakes up I've been letting him try to get himself back to sleep, which for the most part has worked out. Honestly though, even though I'd enjoy him sleeping through the night, once he wakes and I'm awake I rather enjoy it. He's snugly and sleepy, so he just eats and passes out again. I love holding that sleeping boy, and I won't be able to do it forever.

*1 week after Daniel was born I had a hormonal meltdown and felt like the worst mommy ever. Why? Because reality hit me. My life was never going to be the same again. Don't get me wrong, I was SO in love with Daniel from the second I laid eyes on him and that has never once changed. I thought Jacob and I would never get to do anything ever again. Sleep would never happen. I couldn't just run a quick errand because I'd have to get Daniel ready and out the door with me. Seems so silly now. I was right though. Life will never be the same again, but that's okay! It's a fun adventure. Jacob and I have gotten to do a couple of things together. Sleep is way better than it was. Plus, even though it takes longer, I don't mind taking Daniel on errands with me. (Although, I'll admit it has sure been nice to leave him home with Jacob when I grocery shop this summer!)

*Working in daycare has taught me a patience that I didn't even realize I possessed. Daniel is on the move...and getting into everything. Oh joy! While I do get tired of having to move him every time he gets into something, I don't get as annoyed as I probably would without the experience. I do have a moment here and there, but who doesn't? Plus I have a helptul hubby, who gets up to move him half the time too!

*I always thought that with being a stay at home mom I would enjoy cooking more. I thought I didn't really like it because I had to make it after working all day. Turns out I just don't like cooking that much. Ha! Oh well, gotta feed the family so I'll just keep on cookin'.

*I've said it before, but I LOVE my job. I do not regret quitting my job and keeping him out of daycare. I love getting to spend each and every day with my sweet little boy. I like being there to see all of his firsts. I love taking a million pictures of him. His smile and laughter melt my heart. His little kisses are the BEST. It's a love that I cannot describe. I often feel like I must love my kiddo more that any other mom has ever loved hers. I know that most moms must feel this way though because there are some pretty great moms out there.

He brings joy to my life every day.





My 2 favorite boys