Before I hit each stage of life, I tend to subconsciously make a list of rules for how I want to live during that stage. Most of the time I get these ideas through observing people who have gone there before me, reading books, and through my own crazy notions. So I just want to share with you some of these "rules" that I made before having Evie:
*I will never allow plastic toys to take over our house
(This one was really only broken for practical reasons- plastic toys allow me to get things done.)
*I will never allow plastic toys to take over our house
(This one was really only broken for practical reasons- plastic toys allow me to get things done.)
*I will bathe the baby every other day
(Considering what a task this ends up being, many times she just gets a baby wipes bath.)
*Once my baby learns how to eat solids, I will always keep her face clean when she is eating
(I'm not sure why this idea was so important to me.)
*I will never let my baby watch tv
(Well, Chris let this one slide.)
*I will walk almost everyday with the baby
(Summers in the south don't allow me to keep this rule.)
*I will always put little bows or hats on my little girl
(While this is a great idea, they just don't stay on!)
*I will never let my baby eat my toes
(Just kidding, I didn't really think of this one beforehand, but as she was eating my toes I was thinking, "I probably shouldn't let her eat my toes!")
*I will have weekly date nights with my husband
(We really do try- I promise! But most of the time we just end up falling asleep on the couch. I sometimes miss those simple days of spontaneous nights out.)
*I will never let the baby fall asleep on my chest
(In what crazy book did I read about this idea??? Oh yeah, all of them! Honestly, it is the best feeling to have a baby fall asleep on you, and I wish I had allowed myself this pleasure more often. Now she's too busy and independent to do that anymore.)
*I will never drink coffee while breastfeeding
(HA!)
I have no pictures of me drinking coffee! This must change!
*I will never let my baby "cry it out"
(We had to succomb to this one because those 4 AM feedings were getting brutal.)
This picture isn't exactly of Evie "crying it out" but it was too cute I had to post it!
So, did I keep any of my "rules"? Yeah, there were a few:
*I will shower everyday
(This is vital to my sanity, even if it happens at 11 AM)
*I will make all my baby's food once she's eating solids
(This one has been the most fun for me! I love experimenting with new flavors for Evie, and as you saw in the previous video, her faces are hilarious!)
*I will experiment with cooking now that I have more free time
(OK, so the "more free time" thing isn't quite accurate, but I can do meals that require various steps since I am home more of the day.)
*I will get together with other moms regularly
(again, this is vital to my sanity)
*I will love this little girl more than I could have ever imagined possible
(Yup, this one wasn't hard to keep at all!)
Love your post. I agree with many of these already and will probably agree with all when Derek is Evie's age.
ReplyDeleteMelissa just WAIT until Evie starts feeding herself. you've never seen such a mess. Get a highchair that is easy to wipe down (we have the fisher price healthy care highchair where all the parts come off) and let her go to town! That's when I steal a chapter or two of a book I enjoy, or call my mom to chat. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing Melissa!!!! You are growing in what it means to "let go", and embrace the Journey! What a blessing! Aunt Sandy
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks, Aunt Sandy! You have always been such an encouragement to me!
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHAAA!!! Too funny. Sometimes I'm amazed how much you and I are the same, making rules for ourselves, and then once we get there we gain the "wisdom" necessary to get through it all. I'm amazed at all the ones you've been able to keep! :) You are such a joyful mother, and even though some of the rules have been broken, I think you are a better mommy for it! Rock on!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, this was too cute. I had similar ideas that went by the wayside. One of the ones I least regret was Barney. I said never but somehow Emily found him and fell in love. And do you know, he wasn't half bad because he taught her all sorts of stuff and she would sing his songs constantly. Those are some of my best memories of her as a toddler. So now I've learned to keep an open mind...though with driving coming quickly on the horizon it's very HARD!
ReplyDeleteKathy
PS Robbie went crazy for Winnie-the-Pooh which was great in its own way...it just didn't encourage the interaction that Emily experienced.