As the fifth of six kids and the last of my siblings to have a baby, I hated hearing the infamous, “When you have kids you’ll know what I mean.” What is it that I will know? I’m still learning and will never say this to my child-sans friends, but the fact is I have learned quite a bit in these last few weeks.
1. Joyful Joyful ~ After announcing my pregnancy I remember a gal at work saying. “Having kids was the best thing I have done.” I get it now. After marrying my love, I didn’t think I could be happier but something about becoming a mom brings a new joy ~ even when I’ve changed like 12 diapers a day.
2. I love my baby daddy ~ When I heard that my husband had never held a baby, I started to get a little worried. Am I going to be doing everything myself? Turns out I had nothing to worry about. He’s a natural. Right after birth, Sweets picked up Evan and soothed him. I fall in love with him all over again when I see him holding our baby. He even changes some of those 12 diapers a day.
3. Babies are squirmy ~ Especially when trying to get them dressed and diapers changed. Seriously, it took me forever to change the first few diapers. I’m quicker now and even can change a diaper in the dark. Although I did try to put one on backwards two nights ago. Don’t try this ~ it doesn’t work.
4. I’m getting so efficient ~ I am learning how to get things done a lot quicker. He is in the demanding ‘hold me all day’ stage. As soon as he is quiet and I can set him down. I rush to fill my water bottle, make a quick call to my parents and a fast trip to pee (yep, I know). Doing work for my clients and getting my homework done is a juggle. This is getting easier as he started taking more structured naps during the day. Bottom line: done is better than perfect.
5. I’m so inefficient – As I type this, my home is a little messy. There is a laundry basket of clothes that need to be put away, a pile that needs to be washed and a huge stack of mail on my counter. This would not fly before, but I am willing to let it go to be able to spend every moment with him while he is still in the ‘hold me all day’ stage. I will enjoy this because one day I will be dropping him off at school and he will be too embarrassed to kiss me goodbye.
Okay, enough typing for now…getting back to work.
I love reading your blog!! You sound like you are enjoying Evan. I remember that when Mike and I got married, I was so glad that we decided to have Hannah, it was another side of him that I had not seen and am so glad that I got to see him as a dad. He is a great dad and I can appreciate how you feel about Jeff. It sounds like you are enjoying every minute, they do go quick but your children will always need you, it just changes as they grow. Love you lots, enjoy.
wonderful!!!! glad you are thinking about that ‘don’t kiss my good bye’ stage now cuz it hurts when it gets there. you don’t get this time back so enjoy it to the fullest — laundry and housework and homework will all still be there tomorrow.
Oh my goodness, what a sweet baby. Congratulations!