Being a mother||What I have learned.

I wanted to list all of the things I have learned during the past 8 months.

I have learned: 

1. ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING 

I believe I already knew this prior to being Elijah's mom, however, it has become even more clear. If I say I can, I will succeed. This goes for everything in life. It is very very true in regards to breastfeeding. 

2. I LOVE BREASTFEEDING

 I knew that breastfeeding would be something special, because my mom was always saying how much she enjoyed it. Now here I sit experiencing the joy for myself. I was thinking about how God created this intricate system within my body that allows the PERFECT milk to be created. Milk exactly specifically detailed to what my son needs. Not only is it the best food for my baby, it gives him the security and constant bond to his mother. Every few hours we cuddle up on the couch with a soft blanket and he nurses and I let him hold my hand. I look down and he is gently wiggling his foot on my leg. Sometimes, ever so gently, he rubs my collarbone. He peers up at me with his beautiful brown eyes and I can see the love and contentment in his eyes. 

He isn't attached to an object that feeds him. He is attached to his mother. He finds comfort in me. He finds shelter and test amongst my bosom. It is a beautiful and ever fleeting existence. In a few short years, our sweet son won't need me to feed him any longer. With each passing day, our bond as mother and son has become that much more beautiful. This bond is crucial to the future of my child. It is important that we bond as infants. It helps us bond later in life. And bonding doesn't just take place at the breast. That is just one of many bonding experiences. You cannot have too many! 

I thought about, how God made it this way. Babies are not supposed to be away from their mothers. 

God wants us to follow His guidelines. But we have taken it upon ourselves to change the rules and do things our way. We say we know what is best, without even thinking about the way God designed things. Why did God make our breasts?? to produce milk? If we just let them dry up and don't feed our children, aren't we wasting a gift that God has given us?? 

The facts are that Elijah nurses every 2-4 hours which leads me to think that it's important for him to be with me all the time. (Of course I am blessed to be able to stay home with him- not pointing fingers at anyone who has to work to survive)...

3. MOTHERHOOD IS A SACRIFICIAL EXISTENCE 

It is a daily sacrifice. Not only do we sacrifice our perfect bodies to pregnancy, but we sacrifice our bodies after the child is born. Things get saggy and stretched out. I have also had to sacrifice my time and my wants. I find myself not caring about buying anything for myself, I want Elijah to have the best things. His needs and wants are now above my own needs and wants. I would not have it any other way. It feels natural. I feel this is what selflessness is and I find it to be chastening my soul and strengthening my faith. I want for nothing. Seeing my son smiling and free and full of life is enough for me. He is a dream come true. 

4. DISCIPLINE IS HARD

I haven't had to discipline Elijah much at all, yet. But he did bite me while nursing and I sternly said no! And removed him from my breast and placed him in the floor. Because that is the advice I was given. He looked up at me so pitifully and cried and cried. I waited 1 minute and picked him up and hugged him and let him continue nursing. He has not purposefully bitten me since that day. It was a tearful moment for Elijah and for me. 

It has given me such a clear picture as to how our God feels when we choose sin and the world instead of Him. And He watches the consequences ensue upon our lives. Or when He lets trials come our way to teach us lessons and ultimately to have us rely on Him. Just as our children rely on us. 

Patenting is such a picture of God. It is so beautiful if we choose to see the beauty.

5. I AM NOT GROSSED OUT BY ANYTHING 

After Being a mother, I am pretty certain that their is nothing that can make my stomachs churn. It is incredible how we become desensitized! I have to give some of the credit to Anatomy and physiology class in college. Dissecting a cat was pretty rough. And helping a man with necrotizing fasciitis in LPN school was pretty rough. That smell was intense!! Rotting flesh! But now, changing diapers and being puked on and slivered on and licked and sucked on, I feel that I am tough as nails! I am thankful for that toughness! 

6. MARRIAGE TAKES EFFORT

Honestly, marriage before Elijah was easy. Granted, it had only been a year and a half of marriage before Elijah was born. But communicating was easy and finding time for one another was simple. Everything was easy. Now, instead of being completely spontaneous, our lives have to be planned. We have to work around Elijah's schedule. When he sleeps we can enjoy a meal together or cuddle on the couch. It has taken these past 8 months to fully grasp that. We have to Jose to make time for one another. It's easy for days to go by without really having conversation about how we are doing and feeling. It's easy to let things be about "the baby". But we work every single day to stay connected to one another. I am thankful for technology. It allows us to have dialogue. It helps. I love my husband more today than yesterday. We have a lifetime on earth and forever in Heaven with our Savior. 

7. We are blessed 

Plain and simple. God has given us more than we could ever ask for! Especially, considering how selfish I have lived. The list of my short comings and sins and failures, have been erased. I can walk upright and with honor. Knowing my Jesus has redeemed my soul. I am excited to share my love for Christ with Elijah and any future children we may have! 

8. Being a mom is the most tiring job I have ever had!I once worked 60 hours a week and went to college full time. I thought I was tired then!! But wow, the exhaustion I feel at the end of some days is overwhelming. Those are simply the facts. Even though its tiring, it is the MOST rewarding, by far!! There is no greater feeling than seeing your child develop at his/her own pace and flourish and excel and smile and laugh! It has changed Kaleb and I, forever. Life is about our family now. All other ground separate of Christ's love sinking sand! 

9. I WOULD BE LIST WITHOUT JESUS

At the center of our family, is our Savior. He has to be the center of it all! ALL! If we  forget about God, life stops making sense. He is where I pull my strength from. I know that even when things get rough and I am tired, God is near and he lifts me up, where I can see clearly and where I can stand. 

He is a solid rock. 

I look at Elijah and I am so thankful for him. My perfect, sweet little boy. 

10. I WANT LOTS MORE KIDS! 

Inspired by God | Inspired by Joy Prouty

This photo explains it all! It is how I feel when people ask me these two questions- "Is he a good baby?" "Is he a good sleeper/is he sleeping well?"

1. Is he a good baby? 

I think, a good baby? I know this is just a societal question and people don't really think before they speak. But let's think a moment, what makes a baby good? Not crying? Well- crying is their ONLY language. So that's not fair to judge a baby on the amount they cry. How often they eat? Does that make a baby good? Well, once again, they can't help that either! How long they sleep? once again, they cant help that either and their ever growing bodies need food every 3 hours or maybe more. 

2. Is he a good sleeper/is he sleeping good? 

I always say yes. Because he sleeps great. But he does need to nurse some at night. It's not something they can help. And expecting a baby to adapt to our adult routine is absurd!  I know it is because he is an active child and my night time milk keeps his circadian rhythm in sync with mine. Without it, his little brain starts firing fast and he is up and alert and wants to conquer the world, at 2:00 am. But once again, not his fault. 

He is my child. Just as Joy Prouty says, God entrusted me to be a mother. There isn't some box that this role fits in. Even if we get lulled into thinking we. Are entitled to such things as sleep or a "good" baby. We aren't. I want to live out of that place. It leaves me feeling content in the life I lead with my husband and my son. Before we ask these questions of mothers with babies, let's be conscious of what we are saying. It puts pressure on mothers that is unnecessary and makes us feel that we have to match the mold. When we most definitely do not. Our American way of a busy, go go go life, doesn't leave much room for babies to thrive properly! 

Let the newborn dictate things. They need to feel secure before they can ever fully grasp love. 

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This subject of entitlement lead me to the next few thoughts::::

We have become a culture of entitlement. 

Adults feel it! Teenagers feel it! Kids feel it! 

They all feel entitled to things. 

Entertainment. 

Comfort. 

Money. 

Time. 

But in reality we aren't entitled or deserving of anything. We should want for nothing and be content with what we have. 

That is how I want to live. How I want to wake up each morning. 

Happy! 

H A P P Y. B E C A U S E. ::

I am alive! 

I am healthy! 

I live in America! 

I am the only one who knows what it's like to be ME! 

I can help others! 

I have a husband! 

I have a son!

I am loved! 

I am a child of God! 

I have a mother who raised me to love JESUS! 

I have the free will to choose! 

I don't have to let the painful parts of life define me!

I am not who I was! 

I am forgiven! 

I am set free! 

I am redeemed!

I can always pray! 

I am beautiful because God created me

{{we are all beautiful because God created everyone}}

H O N E S T L Y 

the list could go on and on! Each of us have a choice! To sit and wallow or grab a hold of the good parts of life and embrace them! And look at the bad parts or the painful parts and let them be used for God's glory! HE can use your story to bless others! 

We have our pain for a reason! To being joy to others and spread the good news of Jesus to a broken world! 

Use your story to enlighten others! 

  Jesus is the way! 

Elijah's 7th month!

Here are some facts about our child::::

•he has 6 teeth

••he crawls extremely fast

•••he pulls himself up onto everything

••••he is so proud when he stands up

•••••he loves the grass

••••••he loves to eat dirt

•••••••he buries his face into mama's chest when he's hungry

••••••••he has a very ticklish neck

•••••••••he has a fake chuckle/giggle

••••••••••he likes to eat oatmeal cereal

•••••••••••he loves to chew on water bottles 

••••••••••••he falls asleep instantly in the car

•••••••••••••he loves to ride in the stroller!

••••••••••••he loves his Poppaw 

•••••••••••he keeps his eye on my family's black lab, Amos, he's not sure about him

••••••••••he tries to squeeze my family's house cat, Jewel, but we don't let him

•••••••••he likes to nap next to mommy on the couch

••••••••he smells like a little boy after being outside 

•••••••he has huge feet, infant size 4/5! 

••••••he loves to snuggle with daddy in the la-z-boy

•••••he smiles the moment he wakes up

••••he loves to splash when he bathes I. The sink

•••he has a tiny bit of hair that sticks up

•• he gets sad when daddy leaves for work

•he loves to bounce in his bouncer

WE WENT TO A PAINTBALL TOURNAMENT 

Kaleb is now on a D-5 paintball team. 

We met up with our friend Cate S. She was there because her boyfriend is also on a paintball team. 

It was fun to see Kaleb in his element. But the tournament was not a child friendly place. Not only were there paintballs all over the ground, so I couldn't set Elijah down {{{Thank GOD, for, our Ergo carrier!}}}; there was also a ton of vulgar language. It was not in any way a family friendly place. I am not going to be able to take Elijah there once he starts absorbing language and repeating

E V E R Y T H I N G

 It was loud and very mosquito-y. We stayed for 2 hours. And then, my sister, Elijah, and I went back to her apartment and relaxed. I don't know about her, but Elijah and I both have several mosquito bites! Mine itch like crazy so I can only assume Elijah's itch also! 

It was nice to see Cate and watch Kaleb play! 

  

KALEBS BIGGEST BATTLE SCAR

SNUGGLY BEAR BOY

⭐I planted flowers at the beginning of the summer and I am so proud of how well they are doing!! 

🌞I started a tiny tiny little flower garden in the back yard. It is 3ft by 3ft

And next year I will add to it. Hopefully it will be 3ft by 10 feet!! 😊

Here are some photos of the progress of my potted plants!! 

I planted Sedum, marigolds, pansies, lilies, flox, a ballon flower plant that Kaleb    bought me last summer and we moved it from Olivia to Jeffers. 

My NONA stayed with us for 5 days, it was VERY FUN!! 

We cooked some amazing meals and cleaned and played with Elijah! And boy, does he sure love his Bis Nona!! 

I love my Italian heritage. 

Having Nona around was a joyous time! 

This weekend, Elijah and I are staying with my patents. My sister is coming from Minneapolis and we are all going to have a fun time visiting. Elijah loves to be with his aunts. 

Jesus' love

We all fall short of the glory of God. That is something we can't forget. We fool ourselves when we think "I could never do that" or "how could someone be so evil". Everyone has done something/things worthy of harsh judgement from God. Just because society says that some things are extra evil, it doesn't change the truth--in God's eyes, all sin gets covered by the same grace because of the Cross. And only because Jesus paid the price for all of our wrong doings, are we able to let go of the burden of our own guilt. All of mankind can find comfort in knowing that anyone can turn to Jesus and be forgiven. But it's our own personal choice. We need no gossip. We need to P R A Y, people!