I realized it's been over a year since I lasted posted on this site, and wow! have our lives changed. I have lived through a six month teaching job in Davidson, a job change by Ben, a trip to B.C, and the biggest change of all, getting pregnant. Our little angel is now 1 month old, and I thought I would fill the world in with all I have learned and experienced.
On January 25, 2012 my role as mommy began.
For the first week, I had a few fairly sleepless nights, however, very quickly it became apparent just how blessed Ben and I were. Our little princess would sleep wonderfully at night (3.5-5 hours at a time) and was quite happy and content during the day. As a brand new mom I averaged about 6-8 hours a night!
As she grows, she continues to steal our hearts, as she discovers new things. Currently, she is on the floor, making the rattle on her hand shake, babbling to her self (a common occurance).
Over the past week, I have seen her discover how her hands can make the toys on her bouncy chair move, and heard her giggle at me and to herself. She even falls asleep by herself on the rare occasion.
Of course if it was not for my mom, I'm not sure I would still have my sanity. She has been a huge blessing in my life. coming over, when Ben and I were both too emotionally drained to think properly, as well, she just stops by to hold our little girl, when we need her to.
Benjamin has also been a huge help. I seriously have the most amazing husband ever. He is a loving father, who takes interest in his daughter. He also helps me and cares for me, when I'm getting to frustrated to think straight. I love how he is always willing to help out and will ask me what he can do to make my life easier, or he will just take our daughter when I need a break. He also gives me one night a week, so I can attend a bible class, without the interference of a baby.
I've also learned many new things about myself. The first being, that there is no way i can possibly plan my day out the night before. Those who know me, know that I need to be in control and have a plan, and this little bundle of joy has done her best to remove the control I previously had. You can never predict how her schedual will change and how that could possibly impact your day. For example, she seems to love getting up at 5am, when we have to be some where at 9 or 10. This may not seem like a problem but she also likes to go back to bed between 7:30 and 8..a minor problem when you need to be out the door, and thus are not allowed to go back to sleep with her.
I have learned that I need to be a much more patient person. Anyone with children will be able to attest to this fact. I never realized how little I had, until the day I gave birth to our daughter.
I have also learned that I have a slight anger problem in the middle of the night and the wee hours in the morning. As most young babies do, my daughter sometimes forgets that 3am or 5am are still sleep times, and enjoys being up, craddled in your arms..which means you dont sleep much. At first I found this to be very cute, as she would lie awake in the dark just staring in my direction....I would drift off and wake up about 20 minutes laters, and she still would just be staring...however the cuteness wore off rather quickly as she also insisted that you hold her a certain way, and rock while doing this, thus making sleep something that is hard to come by.
I have also discovered how fast and hard you fall in love with your child. As I watch my little one sleep, she hits a certain stage where she starts to smile and her eyes flutter open. she is still asleep but the look on her face is priceless. I love cuddling her and the way that she cuddles into my neck. Most of all, I love watching as she discovers new things, the toys on her bouncy chair, the fact that if she moves her arm, her rattle bracelett will move, and how her voice sounds when she talks or giggles.
When I first got pregnant, I was worried how this adjustment would be to motherhood and maternity leave. I thought I would go stir crazy, and want to be back at work. Now, I love every minute of it and anticipate what my daughter will do next, loving the fact that I get to be there; experiencing it with her.
