I'm BACK!

WOW.. it's been a super long time since I have blogged. Life as a new mom is wonderful in so many ways. I work my real job 60+ hours/week.. busy is a complete understatement.

Sometimes I feel like my life is consumed by documenting "firsts" and taking pictures of Lula Mae every day.  I feel like I am going to miss out on something if I don't have it documented in her baby book. Plus I have an official 'baby book' but then I feel obligated to write everything on her 'baby's first year calendar' so I am duplicating all of this in several different locations   I don't know if that is my OCD or maybe it's because I relied on my baby book that my mother had filled out for me.  Poor Lula Mae, I've written down every time she blinks, eats, and poops! She'll laugh when she's old enough to read her baby book. 

Lula Mae- 6 months

My days consist of morning feedings, playtime, changing out of our PJ's to pre-school clothes, making bottles, packing our diaper bag, feeding Maggie & Layla, dropping Lula Mae off at her school, and finally heading to work. I have found so much joy by spending time with her in the mornings. It's "our" time & I am so thankful for every minute spent with her.

Countless people have asked me, "What is the hardest thing about being a mom? & What did you least expect?"

I think I've pretty much responded something like, "Being a mom isn't hard. It's the most rewarding job on Earth." 

There are simply no words to describe the feeling of Lula smiling at me or laughing at me when I sing silly songs to her about her daddy.  The way she fusses on her changing table until she is soothed by an emptied container of lotion is what I am accustomed to.  Her morning fussiness before we get to school makes me smile.  This doesn't mean we're having a 'bad day' or that I'm ready to 'pull my hair out'.  There are 'real' problems out there... wars between countries, starving children, jobless parents, & terminal illness just to name a few.  

I think as parents we shouldn't dwell on the small things or assume because we got spit up on our work outfit that our life is in turmoil or that we are having a 'bad day'.   

I am living for today.

My expectations for my daughter are to LIVE and LOVE, put God first, and make the most out of each day.  Life is what we make of it.  There are bad days, let's face it. Us moms are up all night soothing our screaming babes.  We forget to shower on the weekends.. or go out in public having not showered for a few days (I may or may not have done this).  I could go on and on BUT with all of that being said, the word M-O-M-M-Y has defined me, made me a better Christian, wife, step-mom, daughter, nurse practitioner, neighbor, and person. 

If I could give any advice to moms, new and old, I would tell them to simply enjoy every moment. Don't waste your time complaining. Live for today and enjoy every single second with your child. In the blink of my eye, Lula Mae is now 8 1/2 months old.

Seriously, time flies when your having fun!

Are you living for today?