Learning On The Job

Nobody can really prepare you for being a mom. They try, and I appreciate all the advice and tips, but some things you have to learn on the job. Being a mom is one of them.

Things I have learned since we have been blessed with such a perfect baby:

-Babies go through insane amount of diapers in the first bit. INSANE.

-Dinners being brought to you the first week post-baby are lifesavers.

-Episiotomies suck. Period. Not sure which pain was worse, childbirth or healing from the episiotomy.

-I love this lil man.

-There are so many types of soothers and so many differing opinions on when or even whether or not to give your kid a soother (we caved after 2 weeks and he still nurses fine)

-Nursing hurts- Brock is a trooper and does his best but man it hurt. I would have to spend 10 minutes each time talking myself into it before latching him. Thank goodness it's great now.

-White noise really helps calm a fussy baby.

-I can do surprisingly well on 5 hrs sleep: I don't mind waking up as long as he goes back to sleep after. It's when he won't go back to bed after nursing that I lose my marbles; it's only happened alot three nights and they were dark nights.

-I don't nap well during the day so the whole "sleep when he sleeps" is no help.

-Shawn naps really well anytime.

-There are soooo many reasons a baby can be crying.

-Babies grow sooo fast! How is Brock 12 lbs already?

-Shawn and I adjusted really well to having a baby.

-Muslin blankets are a MUST in summer.
-If you choose not to circumcise your baby, don't attempt to pull back the foreskin. It doesn't retract and won't for years. Who knew?

-Heat rash happens. And it's not whooping cough. (I say this because I was bawling one day thinking he had the onset of whooping cough. Lil paranoid. His 'fever' was from the heat and he got heat rash)

-Google is a mom`s best friend.

-Swings are a close second. LOVE my swing.

-Volunteering in an orphange was a bit help to me. After having 15 screaming and crying kids, having ONE screaming or crying kid is sooo much easier. Unless it`s the middle of the night and he won`t go back to bed. Marbles lost.

-Baby faces have sooo much expression.

-Buy clothes on kijiji. They grow so fast that it`s pointless to spend $15 on an outfit he will wear once.

-A bassinet is a must. Can`t imagine having him in a crib right away. Maybe the next one.

-Time goes by so fast.

-`Happiest Baby on the Block` is a great book.

-Nursing pillows: fantastic.

-Paranoia increases once your baby is born.
-Nothing better than having your baby fall asleep on your chest while laying down... Heaven.

-I absolutely, completely am so happy to be a mom and just love my lil family so much.

-Utilize your family and friends. Having someone come visit for two hours and hold Brock so I could shower or clean or just lay down and rest my back have been life-savers.

-New babies are extremely portable! If they have been fed, changed, etc. they are quite content to follow you whereever you wanna go.

-Everybody loves babies. If you wanna make friends from strangers. Have a baby.

-Breastfeeding burns A LOT of calories. Thanks for burning all my fudgicle calories!

-I am one of those moms that think their kid is the cutest, smartest, best, sweetest, etc baby ever (because he is) and will be taking thousands of photos to prove it.

See why I think Brock is the cutest thing ever

I still have A LOT to learn and am so thankful they start out so basic. But I think we are doing pretty good and honestly I am just so smitten with Brock that it makes it worth it to be perpetually sleep deprived. Love him. Love Shawn. Love my family and friends.

I am so blessed.