Memoirs of a new MOMMY

a look into our little world

As I pondered on the fact that our little one will be 6 months old next Saturday, I got to thinking about all of the neat things that motherhood brings, AND all of the thoughts, feelings, and learning experiences it has brought to us. I know that every child is different. I know that each and every family is different. I know that my opinions are different that others, and that what works for my child may not work for someone else's. I have learned more in the past 6 months than I have in a lifetime, and it has been such a joy. So many experiences have brought us so many lessons, but great lessons. We have had good days, great days, awesome days, and a few rocky days...just as expected. I have had days of confusion, days of extreme exhaustion and days when I have been asked the most random off the wall questions from people. Everyone was right when they told me that I would "forget" all of the sleepless nights and rocky times at the beginning of Mills' life. We haven't forgotten of course, but we look back now and can say, "It wasn't so bad." We can laugh at the times when we were up every hour with a hungry, screaming, tummy-troubled baby.

During these first 6 months, Erik and I have tried to take in all that we can, and be the best parents that we can for our little one. We have gone through many a trial and error, being careful not hold to our words, too strongly, but to take one day at a time. Although, we have held to some of of our pre-parent sayings of "were not going to do this, and we're not going to do that," we have learned just like all of you that, we must do what works for us. Before Mills was born, we only thought we knew what kind of parents would be, but to tell you the truth, we have held to more of our ways of parenting more than we ever thought we would, and its not because we are trying to prove something to ourselves. Luckily, it has just ended up being that way.

Oh the things that have crossed my mind, have touched my heart, have been asked, "stuck to," and have pondered on.

1. oh my, how much do I feed this child?


2. Is that a normal poop? (oh yes, I've googled pictures of poop...no laughing)


3. My child just peed in his tub. Do we drain the water?

4. Miles or Mills. Which is correct? Look at the spelling. How is each pronounced? My child's name is not spelled M-I-L-E-S. It is M-I-L-L-S, and not pronounced anything like the name Miles. Mills it is, I say! You know...like Opry Mills, General Mills. LOL! I get a lot of people asking me, "How is Miles?" Oh brother!


5. I've learned that drooling and sucking on fists doesn't mean that your child is teething.


6. I pride myself in the fact that I read TONS of books before Mills was born and learned a lot, not that I have gone by any of them, but have learned more than I would have known if i hadn't read them. I mean we all read "What to Expect While You're Expecting" didn't we? I thought so.

I am also reading "What to Expect the First Year," which I have found to be very helpful, but I do skip some of the paragraphs, if its something that I'm not really concerned about.

7. Our little Mills can comfort himself while crying and sleeps through the night. I let him cry. Sorry, but I do. Sound cruel? Well, we don't have a cryer, and he's no longer much of a "whiner" either. I have found that if Mills gets fussy, a few minutes of fussing without contact from us, and he stops, realizing that he's okay. Erik and I both agree that NOT rushing to each and every whimper is a great way to keep from spoiling Mills, and we intend on keeping that way. I know when and when not to go to him and it hasn't been as hard as some have made it out to be. That's what makes each and every mother different. The fact that Erik and I did not like whiny kids before we had our own, hasn't changed. lol! Oh...and I thought it would.

8. I looked in the mirror several months after Mills' birth and couldn't believe how your belly REALLY goes back to normal...well almost normal. How can something go from being stretched to the size of watermelon, go back to being...well, flat again. Okay, so not flat, but pretty much back to normal like I said before. Sometimes I just look at it and say, "wow, there was a baby in there!"

9. Routine, routine, routine. In this house, there is nothing better than a routine. We have the same routine every day, and Mills has adapted wonderfully. I believe that this is sooo important. Its the same thing every day. Mills knows his routine, I firmly believe that. Structure is the key!


10. Reading: I firmly believe that reading to your child from day one is one of the best things you can offer a him or her. I really want to promote Mills' language skills and literacy. We attempt a Bible story everyday, but I especially stick with shorter stories, because of his extremely short attention span. Try it! If your baby doesn't sit long, at least you tried.


11. I love holding my baby boy. As soon as I get off work every day, I can't wait to get my hands on him. When I see his smile, it lights me up! Kisses...I can't get enough of them!


12. Something I'm excited about, and don't think I'm weird, but I am overjoyed at the fact that our baby boy is sleeping on his crib mattress and not in the bouncy seat. I never thought I'd ever see the day, much less see the day when he would be going to bed at 7:30ish and sleeping until 6:15am. Go Mills! Go Mills!

13. I am ecstatic that Mills is finally learning to burp on his own and that his reflux has calmed down tremendously.


14. I am almost over that fact that we can't use good smelling baby lotion, because of his extremely sensitive skin, and have learned to love Aquaphor wash, ointment, and Eucerin. Like someone once said, those Gerber baby commercials are all too deceiving, "you didn't expect him to come out perfect did you?" Well, he's perfect to me. :)

15. What do people actually mean when they ask, "Is he a good baby?" Honestly?! I don't know what kind of question that is.

16. My main goal in being a mom, is to raise Mills just as Erik and committed we would do. The way God would have us to raise him. I believe that exposure to the Bible, it's stories, songs, and going to church should be started as soon as possible. Mills has been in church since he was 8 weeks old, with the exception of Sundays when he was sick or stuffy. I pray that he will grow to love Christ and one day accept Him as his Savior. Nothing could be more important to me...ever!! I'm not trying to brainwash and over do anything...I call it "planting a seed."


17. Silly thought: I will sit here many nights and stare at our baby boy and think, "wow, he is real. He's ours, and we, along with God, made him. He is growing every day, and reaching milestones by the minute." Mills may may not be perfect, but he's as perfect as he can be in our eyes.


18. I love exposing Mills to music...good wholesome music of course. We listen to Bible songs EVERY NIGHT during bath time. I found this awesome book with a set of 2 CDs with 50 songs on each. Each story has it's very own song. When our baby boy gets older and will sit through a story, I plan on reading to him each night and singing a song, but for now, we just listen to the songs while his is in his tub. Pretty soon, he'll be demonstrating "Father Abraham" to everyone..."right arm, left arm..." Just wait! LOL

19. What do people mean when they look at me and say, "Did you have your baby?" Uhhhh....I don't quite know how to take that. Either 1) I still look pregnant or 2) you are trying to start convo about the baby and TOTALLY started with the wrong opening sentance....what?!

20. The fact that I am a working mother, despite what others may think, has been nothing but a good thing for our family. It has more benefits than you may know. I would love to spend each and every day raising my son, but like I said, there are MANY advantages. First of all, I get my "adult time." Secondly, it has put us on a wonderful schedule that has benefited Mills more than you can imagine. Thirdly, Mills gets exposure to many different people throughout the day and has TONS of new friends and more on the way, not to mention all of his church buddies. The boy is only 6 months old and has been invited to 3 birthday parties already. You've got to love it! haha

Aaaahhh, now. This mommy is more than open to any suggestions or advice. I would love to hear your thoughts, comments, and funny stories. Bring them on!