Thursday, April 27, 2017

A Year of Lessons

I did it! 
I kept this baby alive for a whole year and I am still here! 
What. A. Year. 
I wouldn't say it went fast as it felt like the longest year of my life but it also is amazing to think how much has changed, how much he has grown. From this screaming, puffy, football shaped head newborn who couldn't hold up his head or do anything but eat, sleep, poop, and cry*. (People really need to add that one in). 
After 28 hours in labor with 4 hours of pushing I got to meet my son. 

Looking back at this picture, it is precious but man he was alien looking! And his head! The hat is covering it but his head was super cone head. It is a miracle he has such a cute head.....I was nervous. 

But oh did he smell good.
He smelled like fresh baked cookies, and love, and softness. 

When he was born I just was so relieved I was done. 

My husband?
He took this picture of himself. 
He couldn't stop crying. Probably because he was awake for 2 straight days listening to Enya. 

(side note: if you make a relaxation mix for labor you might want to make it several hours long and make sure your labor buddy likes it- poor James had to listen to the same songs 100 times) 

Now I think about all the things that happened this past year. 
-the struggles to get him to sleep on anything that wasn't us. 
-car rides to get him to sleep
-car rides that he hated for several month
-swaddling becoming a contact sport
-breastfeeding being so much more challenging than I thought.
-the first time I said "Hi" to him when he was handed to me and he stopped crying to listen. 
-the first time he smiled and it wasn't gas
-the first time he giggled and I died of cuteness
-the first time he rolled over 
-the first time he sat up on his own...in his crib at 4am and I woke James up to tell him to look....he wasn't as excited as I was
-the first steps and the joy I felt in my heart
-the first time he ate solid food and most of it did not make it to his mouth
-the first time he said "dada" and "mama" 

So much has happened this year. It is hard to believe that it has just been one year. 
I have learned many things this year. Here are some favorites...


1. Psalm 127:3 
"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him."
Its true! I feel so blessed to have such an amazing gift from God! 

2. Enjoy the moments
Yes and no do they go by fast. Yes its temporary. No it doesn't feel that way. But try to enjoy the moments; if its enjoying extra snuggle time when your baby won't sleep on anything but you, or being grateful your child's lungs are working well as he/she is wailing away- there is something we can strive to enjoy. 

3. Hebrews 4:12 
 "For the word of God is alive and active..."
Yes its an old book, the bible, but its still relevant and it has THE best parenting advice out there. This gives me so much hope as there are so many conflicting opinions and studies out there of what is safe and good for your baby. One day something is "safe", the next day it isn't. But I can be confident in the bible to give me the best advice for raising my child. 

4. Don't compare!
Babies are all different. I really really learned that this year. Its not helpful to compare my son to others. I have struggled with this one as my son was not the easiest of babies. It helped to tell my son things I loved about him rather than in my head or out loud say things I wish were different. So what my son doesn't sleep anywhere but his crib or the car, he is curious, smart and silly.... oh and he is ridiculously good looking. 

5. "Sometimes" 

This has been my favorite word recently. I struggle(d) with the no-schedule, complete sense of lack of control when it came to an infant. But when I think/say sometimes it really helped me to surrender to things going differently. Sometimes he wakes up at 6am, sometimes 5am and sometimes 7am. Sometimes he sleeps through the night. Sometimes he is really fussy. Sometimes he is super giggly and smiley. Sometimes he likes to cuddle. Sometimes he prefers to play independently. It helps me remember my baby is not a robot. 

Although we did dress him up as one. 



This Year has been amazing. I am so incredibly grateful to be a mom. It has brought so much fullness to my life, so much laughter, tears, and joy. I have learned a lot and I am grateful for all these lesson. 

Stay tuned for my journeys with a 1 year old! 😁