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.