I never thought I would be able to handle being peed on, pooped on, spit up on and chewed on (God forbid any of it get on me!) Now, I don't even think twice about it; I have refined my skills to avoid much of the situations and anything that does happen, oh well. We cloth diaper too (one of our best decisions ever) and I don't even flinch to scrape them, then throw them in the wash. Soap is one of my best friends :)
I never thought I'd be one of those mamas who ate after their children. However, I LOVE sharing with Tray and I love how interested he is to try new foods. He doesn't balk at food, even the most exotic dishes and I have yet to find something he truly does not like to eat.
I never imagined I would make it breastfeeding him for what has now been 14 months. This has been the single best decision I made for us and I plan to continue until he self weans; he has decreased his feedings since starting solid foods but we still share morning and before bed sessions. The bond we have created through breastfeeding is an incredibly close one and most of the time indescribable. Aside from all of the nutritional, developmental and physical benefits, I never knew how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I never thought we would cosleep. There is so much negativity that surrounds cosleeping that the benefits and valid research supporting it are often over looked. The doctor that discharged me from the hospital (not my OB or regular doctor) told us not to start it, the media warns against it and in nearly every baby magazine you open there is some advertisement or article about the hazards. People don't take the time to do research for themselves and find out the truth. There are many resources for educating yourself about safe ways to cosleep and sound supporting research; for more info. check out my post on sleeping arrangements. Cosleeping has saved my sanity! It allows all of us to get more sleep, ease in breastfeeding, promotes bonding and a sense of secureness because I know Trayton is safely near. While the addition was being added to our house Trayton did not have his own room. I had his crib and accessories bought but no where to put anything. When I brought him home from the hospital I felt like I had missed out on getting these things ready and for him to use them. Little did I know at the time that this would have worked out so wonderfully for us!
I never realized just how little time I would have to get myself ready to go out, even to the grocery store. The simple solution to that was chopping off my hair (and I loved it!) I must say, as Tray has gotten older I do seem to have more time for this, whether I use it wisely depends on the day!
I never saw myself as one of those people who would dance or act like a crazy person to get their children to smile and giggle. Now I understand and I have joined the group! Baby giggles are addicting and I will do just about anything to get a reaction from my little guy when he's feeling grumpy! I've never been so happy over a simple little grin.
Before I had my son, I had never looked into someone else's teary eyes and felt my own well up as it happens with him and I never felt my heart break into a million little fragments when I couldn't stop the hurt. I guess it correlates to our bond because he has the ability to evoke an intensity if feelings I didn't even know existed within me.
I never knew I could give myself so easily to someone or love someone so much. I never imagined I would love being a mama. The past year has been such a growing and testing experience for me as a person. The knowledge is invaluable. I went from a very independent, confident, self-sufficient and self-centered lifestyle, to motherhood which is humbling, sometimes scary and demanding, interdependent and focused on my son and his best interests. I am so blessed to have this wonderful opportunity in life and I am looking forward to many more years of discovering the "I Nevers" of motherhood!
Wishing you a pot o' gold, and all the joy your heart can hold. Thanks for reading!
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