What I've Learned From Having A Newborn (On A Lighter Note...)

Earlier this month, I shared what I've learned from having a newborn. That post could be an ever-evolving series, because I feel like I learn something new about my new role every day. Motherhood is a minute to minute journey, and I've found that what worked yesterday may not today. This cute kid keeps me on my toes, that's for sure! Here are 10 other things I've learned from having a newborn, on a lighter note...

I can pick up almost anything with my toes. I have a kid in my arms 99% of the time... desperate times calls for desperate measures, yall.

Nap time is your one chance to get things done. They say to sleep when the baby sleeps, but having both hands free to clean, prep meals, and do laundry means you do all of the above in overdrive before that precious baby wakes up again.

Showering is a small victory. When Parker asks what I did that day, if I showered, I include it in my list of accomplishments. Because it is.

You want your baby to go down for a nap so you can get things done, but then you miss them while they sleep and sit there waiting for them to wake up. It's a vicious cycle.

You secretly curse anyone that ever said breastfeeding is easy. They big fat lied to your face.

You wish more people posted on Instagram at 3 AM. You need entertainment for those middle of the night feedings.

You become the worst at responding to texts. Ever. Seriously, I will go several days before I respond to a text. The worst.

Changing diapers is second nature and doesn't even phase you. It's just another thing you do during the day... and in the middle of the night.

You check the weather 15 times a day because you are desperate for a little fresh air, but conditions have to be perfect for you to take that brand new baby out of the house.

Your new boss is pretty demanding, but you've never wanted to work so hard for someone. Best. Job. Ever. 

Life Lately

Tap tap... is this thing on? I have really let blogging fall by the wayside but am determined to get back into it. I miss this little slice of the Internet! Since it's been a while, here's a little life lately from our neck of the woods. 

Preston visited daddy for the first time at work! It was family day in Parker's squadron, so we took the baby to see the planes. I'm sure his little 8 week old self was really into it. ;)

Parker and I realized that our time in Virginia is going to end before we can blink, so we need to see and do as much as possible before we leave! Virginia Beach has a really great aquarium that we had yet to see, so we loaded up the baby and stroller and went to check it out. We discovered we are more zoo people than aquarium people, but it was a really cool facility and still a great way to spend a Saturday!

My first post-pregnancy run with my best girl was amazing! I have so been looking forward to running again, and Jenny was happy to come along!

Easter was our first holiday as a family of four! Since we weren't able to be with our families in Texas, we hosted Easter dinner for a few friends here in VA. It was a great day with people that we love!

Family park day! Most of these activities will probably be a little more exciting when our son is a little older, but carpe diem. I love a good park date!

Baby's first time on the swings! He loved it so much that he slept right through it. ;)

I looked over and Jenny had decided my breastfeeding pillow was the perfect pillow for a pup. She snuggled right in and proceeded to take a little snooze.

My twin and her husband and son came to visit us this past week in Virginia! We had been looking forward to this trip for months and had the absolute best time. Our only complaint was that it went by way too quickly. One of our favorite parts was walking along the beach. Babies and the beach... nothing better, yall.

This past Sunday, we dedicated our son to the Lord at church! It was so special and something I have always dreamed of doing. We want him to choose to be baptized when he is older, so by dedicating him to the Lord, we made a promise to bring him up in a Godly household and point him toward Jesus. The verse we chose for him was Deuteronomy 31:6.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you."

It was so special having family in town for Preston's dedication!

Two of our best friends came as well. This baby is so well loved, and we couldn't be more grateful. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and this is part of ours!

Well, as I finish this up, I have a baby that has let it be known that he is over playing on his activity mat, so I'm off to tend to that. That's life lately!

What I've Learned From Having A Newborn

When I was in my final weeks of pregnancy, I was as calm, cool, and collected as one can be knowing they are about to meet their child. I had just spent 3 months with my twin sister and her newborn, so I thought I had the whole newborn thing in the bag. Cocky... so cocky. What I quickly learned upon meeting my son was that I didn't, in fact, know everything. My nephew is as close to mine as you can get without actually being mine, but there is still something completely different when it's your kid. It's like any previous experience and expectations go out the window in a matter of seconds. So what have I learned?

Keeping it real... co-parenting is hard. Parker and I were both raised in loving, Christian homes, but we were both raised very differently. Naturally, we both gravitate to the type of parenting that was done on us. Now I realize right now we are not as much raising our son as we are just keeping him alive, but the differences still apply. We put an emphasis on different things, and what one parent thinks is no big deal, the other thinks actually is a big deal. We are both coming from a place of love for our son, but that doesn't mean it isn't tough when you don't agree on the right way to do things. On the flip side, I will say I am glad we don't agree on everything. We each bring a different perspective to the table and can learn from each other. Co-parenting is hard, but it's also a blessing.

I am fiercely protective. I mean I'm a mom, so I knew I was going to be protective, but this is on another level. Most people know to wait to be asked if they want to hold the baby, which I really appreciate. When someone has tried to take the baby from my hands, I don't handle that well. You have this perfect little baby that is yours, and having him snatched out of your hands without permission is just really overwhelming. There is also a very small list of people I am comfortable leaving him with at this stage. Basically, if my mom lived closer, we'd be set. I know I will chill out as time goes on, but I am so protective over this little life that grew inside me. 

It's a different kind of love. I knew I was going to love my kid, but I had no idea the depth at which I was capable of loving him. It's just a different kind of love that's unlike anything I have ever experienced. Ryan Reynolds said it best in an interview with David Letterman. "I love my wife more than anything in the world and would take a bullet for her. Then the second I looked in my baby's eyes, I knew in that exact moment that if we were ever under attack, I would use my wife as a human shield to protect that baby". Parker and I laugh about that quote all the time. I love Parker more than anything, but this kid of mine... there are no words. It's a different kind of love.