Lessons Learned Part 1

There are so many things I have learned in these last 6 months of being a Mom, some good and some not so good. I feel compelled to share a few things not only for the Moms who have been there and can relate but also for the Moms-to-be so you'll know some things to expect. Here goes:

1) Babies have gas that is beyond belief! I was SOOOO NOT expecting that!
Sounds come out of Kaleb's butt that would make a frat boy blush.

2) Most women feel it, but few will say it....so I will. Breastfeeding hurts. REALLY hurts. And yes, he was latched on correctly. But there comes a point where you just go numb so do it as long as you can b/c it's so great for them and you. Especially b/c when you quit, you look strangely similiar to those African women in National Geographic and that's just not fun for anybody.

3) Most Moms think to pack an extra outfit for their little one in the diaper bag in case of a major blowout, but not so many pack one for themselves. I learned this lesson the hard way when I drove home from MOPS one lovely Thursday afternoon with yellow poop streaks all over my shirt and jeans. Can you imagine me getting pulled over? "Ma'am why were you speeding?" "Well, officer I've just about had it up to here with everyone's crap today!"
Do you think I would still get a ticket?? ;)

4) It's amazing how just the sound of your voice can soothe a baby. When Kaleb is losing it, all I have to do is lay next to him and whisper in his ear how much I love him. He snaps out of it pretty much immediately, closes his eyes and just listens to the sound of my voice.

5) Things will never again be on "your time." The minute you try to do a project, fold some laundry, or go to Target your baby will have a major blowout of his diaper or wake up from his nap 30 minutes early. And flexibility is not my forte, but I'm learning.

6) Always try something small before you go big. By that I mean, we drove to San Diego (5 hours) to see how Kaleb would do before we tried taking him to Amarillo (14 hours). We will not be driving to Amarillo. ;) I would rather not have my eyes clawed out by a 6 month old, thank you.

7) It's so adorable when they are able to start grabbing things. Not so adorable when they grab ahold of a large chunk of your hair and yank it out. yeeeeouchh.

8) As a new Mom, you will just stare in adoration at your sleeping little angel. I could stare at Kaleb sleeping for hours. (if he only napped that long)

9) Babies have mood swings similiar to drunk sorority girls. One minute they are smiling and laughing, the next they are screaming at a pitch that only dogs can hear.
Don't think your baby is crazy, that's just how they roll.

10) The love between a Mother and her child is like nothing else. It's a love that some women will never experience and some will experience many times over. To me, it's almost indescribable. But all I can say is that each day, I get glimpses of the goodness of God shown through the face of beautiful baby boy. He makes me smile, he makes me cry, he makes me rise to the woman I always knew I could be. I try every day to teach him new things, but it's unbelievable in his short time here what he has already taught me.

Moms or Moms-to-be would love to hear your comments or stories if you can relate!!