The First Year- Parenting

In just a few days, Kayleigh will be 1 year old! I cannot believe that it a year ago that I became a Mom,

There are many different roles that we take on as we go through life. So far, my roles have included: baby, toddler, kid, teenager, college student, graduate student, adult, wife, and mom. 

I am happy to say that becoming a Mom is one of the very best things that has ever happened to me. Watching Joey so easily fall into the role of being a Dad has made me fall even more in love with him.

I am so thankful for the support that we have received from our family and friends through this year. I do not know what we would have done without Joey by my side every step of the way. I have a whole new level of respect for single parents and those who are doing this whole thing without a daily partner through it all. 

I thought I should write a quick little blog of some of the things that I have learned throughout this year. I cannot even begin to imagine the things that Kayleigh will teach me for the rest of my life, but learning to be a Mom to this sweet girl has been so wonderful that I can't wait! 

-No matter how many parenting books you read, blogs you follow, or movies you watch, it is always the best decision to follow your heart. I personally did not ever make it through one single parenting book. How in the world do you have time for that?!?

-Although there are some people in my life who choose to parent differently than I do, I know that the choices I am making now are best for our family at the time and that is what matters. In the words of Ginny (who provided daycare for Kayleigh when we lived in Pasadena), "No kid ever goes to college with a pacifier, or sucking their thumb, or nursing to sleep at night. She will be fine!" 

-Ask advice from those you trust! I am so thankful for my close friends, sister, Mom, and Mother-In-Law who had become Moms before me. I am sure that they must have laughed at some of the things I called about, but I don't know what I would have done without them! 

-On that subject...Call the doctor about anything! I once called our pediatrician because I thought Kayleigh was breathing weird when she was just a few days old. I sat on the phone with the Doctor and copied Kayleigh's breathing pattern so that he could tell me it was normal. Hahaha. 

Now we have a wonderful friend, Julie, who is a pediatric nurse and gets many texts from me. We love our personal nurse (thanks Julie)!
-Accept help. Its okay to need a break to go shopping alone. To take a 45 minute (or longer) nap. To mindlessly sit at the computer. To read a magazine. To stand in the shower for 30 minutes to get some alone time. And most importantly, to go on a date with my husband. I love my baby girl and want to spend as much time with her as possible, but in order to be the best Mom that I can, I need time to recharge. Thanks to Joey, friends, and family who make this possible! 

-It's perfectly fine to eat a late dinner, or not have everything you had planned. You will only have a little one pulling on your leg wanting to be held or to play for so long. I am thankful for an understanding husband who knows that playing with our sweet girl is more important than making an elaborate meal. Breakfast for dinner became a staple in our house for a few months! 

-Cuddle as much as possible. It won't last forever.
-Who cares how silly I look or sound. I will do anything in the world to hear my baby girl's belly laugh.
-Hand-me-down clothes, toys, cribs, and baby gear are the best (thanks friends)! If someone used it enough to save it and pass it along to others, it must be worth it!
-Its okay to allow my baby to wear outfits that don't match. Its especially cute when her Daddy picks out an outfit for her (my favorite so far has been an orange star patterned shirt, green and white polka dot pants, and multicolor striped socks). 

-Everyone says "it goes so fast." I thought it was one of the cheesiest sayings but the time really does escape you. Enjoy each day and moment.

Most of all, I am thankful for year and all that I have learned from this sweet face.