9 Things I've Learned about Motherhood

1. Do not underestimate a good swaddle. Swaddling is magical.

2. Muscus is a big deal. If they can't breathe, they can't breathe.

3. Sleep is overrated. Enjoy the late nights. I betcha you'll look back someday and wish for those quiet times again. You can't hold them forever.

4. Eating well makes a huge difference. It not only helps you feel better, but if you're a feeding mother, you'll learn the necessity of good food. It's the difference between a content sleepy baby or a gassy cranky one. Eat smart.

5. Prayer and quiet time is necessary. End of story.

6. Learn to say no. Sure, you shouldn't let a baby completely determine your life, but things will change a little, and that's okay. It's kind of what you signed up for, right? We still go out with friends, but we also set limits. We do extra stuff only twice a week, and we try to be back home by 8pm. This stage won't last forever, and for us, it's what works.

7. Exercise. You can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself first.

8. No one's kid is the same, so not all advice should be either. Use what you can, and don't worry if what works for someone else doesn't work for you. I bet your kid will be just fine if you choose to have him on a schedule or not. :)

9. Leave the dirty dishes. This one is hard for me because I like a clean house, but guess what I love more? And guess what else? I'M NOT MISSING IT.

I think there's a writer in everyone.

No matter how much experience you have, how old you are, or even if you feel like you're short on words, we all have something to write. If you enjoy writing or not...now that's a different story, but for those that choose to write it, I love your blogs. I love the opinions and words from other people that are so similar, and some so different than myself. I love the honest truth and the eloquent words. Carry on.

Quick 1 minute brownies!

Have you ever wanted brownies, but you just need one? That's me, because I don't like sweets sitting around (or I eat them). :) Just so you know, this recipe is phenomenal, but only for the people who like "fudgey" brownies. These aren't the dry crispy kind. :)

Mix in a safe microwavable mug:

4 Tbsp Flour

4 Tbsp Sugar

2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa

2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

2 Tbsp Water

dash of salt

Microwave 1 minute. You can thank me later.

Isaiah 46:4

For all you mommas out there, have any of you ever had a kid that spit up buckets? I don't mean a few wet burps either, I mean...BUCKETS. Jonathan and I stopped calling it "burping him" and we now call it "spitting him" because it's gotten so bad. It's usually around 3oz of liquid. Poor little guy hates it coming up just as much as I hate watching it. Yes, he's on Prilosec for acid reflux, and I think it helps him feel better. Unfortunately, it doesn't really help the spitting in the slightest. :) I'm okay with having a kid that is wet all of the time and constantly wearing a bib. There are bigger problems in life. He's healthy and mostly feels pretty good I think. It's not affecting his growth, so I'm okay with it. The only time it's hard to handle is when I'm tired, he feels miserable, I'm completely wet, he's completely wet, and he's screaming because he's still hungry. Now that, that is hard. I don't know why you never hear about stories like this before you have kids. I mean, I guess people don't want to be debbie downers and tell you about all of their problems if your child is going to be just fine. I get that. But I mean, NEVER had I heard about this until Truett. The doctor says he is perfectly fine as long as he's growing and not showing signs that he's in too much pain, so we are thankful for our very chill child, considering how he's probably feeling. What a trooper!

On the flip side, I'm thankful that Truett is a great sleeper. We bath, feed, and spit him around 10 or 11 and put him down, usually with his eyes wide open, and we don't hear his voice again until 6 or 7 am. I'm not sure how we got so lucky there, but that's okay with me. On days when I think, man this spitting is a lot to handle, I realize that I guess that's why God allows me to get good sleep. It really is a give and take. He's growing...and he's happy. Thank you Lord for your many many MANY blessings. We sure don't deserve them all, but you keep sending them down one after the other. If I thanked you every day of my life, I would never come close to catching up.

Sometimes I get kinda cranky after I have to give Truett a bath at 2am, and then rock him for 4 hours and he still won't go to sleep. But then I think, in a couple of years when he doesn't want to be held anymore and he says, "I can do it myself, mom." I bet I'd give my left hand to rock him for 4 hours in the middle of the night, which is why I enjoy each and every minute with Little T, regardless of what time it is.

I. Love.

1. Vans shoes. Have you ever worn them? My oh my, they're comfortable.

2. Scentsy warmers! My favorite is Whiteout. It smells like fresh Winter. I can't describe it any more perfectly if I tried. My good friend Candace sells it, and you can order it here if you're looking.

3. Baby Gap. For the love of all things wonderful, that place is absolutely ridiculous at making baby clothes. I don't go shopping much.

I.

Cannot.

Resist.

4. A good Starbucks ristretto grande vanilla nonfat extra hot with light whip latte.

5. My camera.

6. Journaling the day away.

7. Coldplay

8. Chocolate

9. A good pedicure

10. My family.

Done.