Friday, April 16, 2010

parenthood

Wow, my life has been a complete whirlwind these past six weeks. Here are a few things I've learned:

* Not all diapers are the same (don't ever buy the Babies R' Us brand).
* Nursing is so much harder than I thought it would be.
* A side effect of Fenugreek is hives. And they itch. A lot.
* Reglan is horrible, horrible stuff.
* I have no idea how stay-at-home moms get anything done (or any moms, for that matter). I start the day with a whole list of stuff to do and maybe get "make the bed" crossed off.
* I can only tell what day of the week it is by what tv show comes on that night.
* It is not uncommon to go through two diapers in ten minutes or less.
* Formula is expensive.
* Somehow baby boys can get their backs or stomachs wet but their diaper is pretty much dry. I just don't get it.
* I am in a time warp. I will feed Oliver and then pump and then he is crying and I wonder why. Then I realize that it has been two hours since I fed him last. If I didn't keep a log of feeding times, I would be lost. Time is so weird these days.
* There is no sense in really getting "dressed" because I will just get milk and likely throw up on my clothes, and I might as well be comfortable, right?
* Everything looks so much worse when you add lack of sleep to the mix.
* Post Pardum Depression sucks.
* The Biology mess turned out to be a blessing. I'm so glad I have school off this quarter. I really could not be in school right now, going to class at night. (What was I thinking?!? I am still trying to finish up course work from last quarter, plus the Biology class, and it's a challenge to say the least).
* Calming my son down after he has been crying is such a sweet feeling.
* Having him snuggle up to me and fall asleep is the best.
* The little noises he makes while he sleeps and eats melt my heart.
* Gripe Water is amazing!
* Nothing prepared me more for motherhood than my mission. I have drawn on my experience as a missionary for strength several times in the past six weeks.
* I was reading through one of my past journals and came across a quote I wrote in there from a General Conference address that said that to sacrifice means to make something sacred: Elder M. Russell Ballard has taught that “the word sacrifice means literally ‘to make sacred,’ or ‘to render sacred’ ” (“The Law of Sacrifice,” Ensign, Oct. 1998, 8; Liahona, Mar. 2002, 13). The words sacred and sacrifice come from the same root. One may not have the sacred without first sacrificing something for it. There can be no sacredness without personal sacrifice. Sacrifice sanctifies the sacred. (The full talk is here.) I think this is so applicable to motherhood, as it is to many aspects of our lives. It really hit home for me right now.
* It is not possible to take too many pictures.
* It is amazing how long it takes to get ourselves together and get out of the house.
* I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm just taking it one day at a time and feeling grateful that I am at this place in my life.

Our computer crashed a couple of weeks after Oliver was born (of course), so that is why I haven't shared many pictures. It is killing me! But I'm taking plenty and hope to share some soon.

P.S. Speaking of parenthood, have you seen the new tv show Parenthood? It is our new favorite.

10 comments:

jjstringham said...

I agree. With all of it. And just to warn you, it takes longer to get ready with each progressive child. Before kids I was always 10 minutes early. Now I'm always late. It kills me.

Can't wait to see more pics!!!

Becky said...

It sure is a wild ride isn't it? And it seems that there's nothing anyone could have sat down and explained it to you that would have prepared for the actual experience, right? As challenging it is, it's so worth the ride. I'm sure that you and Wendel are fantastic parents!

J. said...

laughing and smiling and sighing...you're so awesome. loved this post. so glad you're here. he's gonna be big in blink; SOAK UP every single minute. even the bad ones. love you heaps! can't wait to see those pics!

The Higgins Family said...

oh. so. true. children are certainly, absolutely the greatest challenge and greatest blessing!

I love the sacrifice quote. that really hits home.

after two baby boys, here's a tip for the annoying constant wetting thru... I put a thin maxi pad (cut to size, if necessary) on the top front of the diaper and sometimes the back--- that seemed to help quite a bit. Best wishes to you! You're doing awesome.

PS: Nursing was the hardest thing I've ever ever ever done. It made me feel so much better to know I wasn't the only one who hated it. :)

Andrea N said...

Wow! I guess that's it in a nutshell. Costco diapers are great. When you're putting the diaper on, make sure to aim his sprayer down, then put the diaper on snug enough to keep it facing that way. It took me about 3 weeks into my 2nd son to figure that out. No more "wet everywhere but the diaper".
I felt like a zombie for at least the first 3-5 months after each child. It does get easier.
I'm so glad you have your journals and mission to rely on for strength. I appreciate your references to sacrifice & sacredness & will read that talk soon. Take care of yourself!

lindsey kaye said...

You are doing so great ab!! You're an awesome mom- Oliver is so dang cute I miss him tons! and I totally love those sounds he makes while he sleeps.. more pics!! :)

Katie Tyler said...

ahhhhhhh, can I copy this onto my Blog?? You said it all. (especially about relying on the mission for parenting... I don't know how I would have done it without the mission)

imbritney said...

Yeah, that sounds like parr for the course... of course no one ever really understands it until they go through it -- how could you? But it sounds like you have it all under control.

Don't worry -- getting out of the house *eventually* gets easier, you just have to get a routine down. I made it to the shower and to the hospital with Connor, after all! So there is hope! :)

Good luck on your classes. Can't wait to see the pics!

Jenna said...

I loved this post! That is exactly how I felt with Mack the first few months. He is almost 5 months now and I finally feel like I am getting the hang of things. Gripe Water worked wonders for me to! Is he a colic baby or just got some reflux? Everything just keeps getting easier and easier just hang in there! Its amazing how hard it can be yet you wouldn't change it for the world!

Brandon, Emily & Sydney Wilson said...

Thanks for the quote on sacrifice. I will have to read that talk. Love hearing all the new things you are experiencing with being a mommy. It really is brings the most joy to the soul and the most fatigue to the body. Post those pics soon.