1. Occasionally when Elise can’t settle down for a nap {like if she falls asleep in the car and won’t transfer to her crib or if she wakes up from a way too short nap}, we’ll both lay down on the daybed in her room and I close my eyes and say “shhshhshhhh” over and over and over until she falls back asleep. Sometimes I take a nap with her, and sometimes I just lay there watching her. And smelling her hair.
2. I try to take her on a walk every day so that we both get fresh air and I get some exercise, but mostly so that I can have an easy way to keep her entertained without actually entertaining her—if you know what I mean. It’s mindless for me, but she stays quiet and happy.
3. Same with an evening Skype with family. It’s just one more easy way for me to keep her happily entertained until bedtime.
4. And sometimes if I don’t think she’ll make it to bedtime without getting cranky, I take her on a walk—even in the rain or snow—so that she’ll get a short nap in. Even if she only sleeps for 15 minutes, it gives her an extra boost of happiness.
5. I really didn’t want to start her on solid foods because I was afraid of what her poop would turn into. Come to find out, it’s still not too bad….yet.
6. I know eventually she will wean from breastfeeding {it probably wouldn’t be good for her social life once she gets to high school if she’s still doing it}, but right now, I don’t ever want that day to come. It makes me tear up just thinking about it. The 5 times a day when I breastfeed her are the most relaxing and enjoyable parts of my day. It’s a very intimate time that only her and I get to enjoy together.
7. She stopped taking a bottle when she was about 2 months, I think. And I secretly enjoy that. Yes, I can’t be away from her for more than 4 hours during the day and that limits my ‘freedom’. More importantly, I know that she needs ME to be nourished; which makes me feel extremely useful for something important.
8. Speaking of feeling useful…I’m sure all stay-at-home moms fight these feelings at some point, but there are days when I feel inadequate or like I’m not doing anything important in society. Other adults talk about what’s going on with their jobs and important projects they’re working on, and the only thing I can bring to the conversation is an in-depth discussion about naps and poopy diapers. Which ends up not being so in-depth because the other party quickly loses interest.
This is ridiculous to feel this way, and I know that. Still, those feelings sneak up on me occasionally. I’m raising a human being, for goodness sake {and one who will hopefully not be a total disaster}! Not to downplay anyone else’s job, but on a scale of 1 to 10—10 being the most important job on Earth—mine’s an 11 and yours is about a 5.
9. I need to work on my humility.
10. Sometimes when she’s fussy, I dress her in something that has I love mommy on it as a reminder to myself that even when she seems to want nothing to do with me in that moment, she does love me.
11. I love her SOOOOOOOO much, but man am I looking forward to taking a vacation without her! Obviously, that won’t be anytime real soon (see #7).
12. I often find myself in disbelief that she is actually my child—that she has half of my genes and came from Todd and I. That God knew us to be the perfect parents for her. Still blows my mind.
13. I always knew I would love my child, but I had no idea that the love would be so overwhelming and intense. Being a mom is a bazillion times more awesome than I ever thought it would be.