Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Lessons Learned


A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path. – Agatha Christie

                Now I know I’m a little late, but here’s my post in honor of Mother’s DayJ

                Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a planner.  I’m almost manic about it.  Having a baby was no different.  While pregnant, I read everything I could get my hands on (Don’t ever, ever do that while carrying your unborn child and being super emotional!) and planned everything out.  I made list upon list.  I bought everything that I thought I might possibly need (Don’t do that either, you probably won’t need it haha).  I had all of these ideas about being a mom and having a baby that I felt really strongly about, especially considering I’d done my homework.  Then, I actually had a child.  You never realize how much you don’t know about having a baby until you have a baby.  All of those careful plans I’d made and ideas I had flew out the window. …
Here are some of the many things I had to change my mind about.  Those of you who are veteran parents- laugh awayJ
The crib—I remember still how adamant I was that our baby would sleep in her crib.  If she never had a bassinet, she wouldn’t know the difference right?  Haha… this didn’t even last the first night.  I put my (even as a newborn) strong-willed daughter in her crib that first night and she HATED it.  She didn’t just cry, she did what I have since named “the drama cry.”  I couldn’t stand the thought of my sweet baby girl being sad so I snatched her up and took her downstairs her little snuggle nest in the pack n play.  Josh and I bought a Rock n’ Play the next day so she could sleep right by me in our room.
Nursing—All right.  You may judge away- but I will admit what many will not.  The idea of nursing kind of grossed me out a little.  However, I knew that it was what was best for my daughter, so I was going to give it a shot.  I thought I’d hate it.  My goal was the 6-8 weeks I planned on being home with her.  However, it was one of the most beautiful bonding experiences I’ve ever experienced.  And, that 6-8 weeks turned into just over 1 year.  I’m so glad I got to do that before losing the ability to do so.
Food—While I respected them, I used to think those moms who did all these “crazy” things like nursing, making baby food, cloth diapers, etc. were out of their minds.  Like I said, I respected all of those things, but who has time for them?  Evidently me—well, not the cloth diapers part.  Never could get into that.  However, I did decide to nix the idea of buying baby food, and I made Grace’s myself instead—right up until she started eating table food.  And… I loved it and it was good for her.     On another note with food, I used to be a BIG stickler about junk food.  Don’t get me wrong, I have not all of a sudden given up making my kid eat healthy.  I want her to learn that junk is not an all-the-time kind of thing.  However, this child did not even know what junk food was until her first birthday cake.  Now I will admit that I occasionally sneak her a tiny bite of chocolate just for the sheer joy of watching the smile on her face.  And, I will also admit that I let her steal an M&M or two out of the candy bowl on the table when she thinks I’m not looking.  She just is so darn proud of herself when she does it.
No one tells you how “wet” being a mom is!!—HAHAHA that sounds funny doesn’t it.  However, it’s the truth.  No one bothers to tell you while you’re pregnant how wet you will be those first few months.  Unless it’s just my kid, but I’m guessing it is not.  I cannot count the times Grace has puked on me, peed on me, spit milk on me, slobbered on me, etc.  AND, to top it off, she somehow almost always misses herself….
Patience/Mellow Mom—I am not a mellow person.  And, before Grace, with the exception of my students, I was not a very patient person.  So, you’d think I’d be insane as a mother.  I think other people must have thought so too because I can’t count the number of times people have said to me, “I can’t believe how laidback and mellow you are with her,” or some version of that.  However, there’s something about her that brings me such peace.  I feel like I was made to be her mom.  And, I have infinite patience with her, even when I don’t have any left for anyone else in the world.  That will probably go away when she reaches the teenage years though.  Haha
And finally- I am never alone—I used to be big on having a little “me” time, all by myself.  I don’t get that anymore, and really haven’t since Grace was born.  She has always been a mommy’s baby and she likes me aroundJ  Heck, ever since she became mobile, I can’t even go to the bathroom alone.   If someone had told me that at a previous time in my life, I would have been stressed.  However, I love having my daughter around all the time and miss her when she’s away from me.  I don’t mind having my little mini me shadow:D

I want to end my mom thoughts with the lyrics to a song.  I had never really listened to these lyrics since having my own daughter, but I cried tonight when I heard it.  Martina got it right.


"In My Daughter's Eyes"

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
 
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daugter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

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