Things I've learned thus far...

So, I've been a Mom for only a short period of time. Though I've learned a lot! This post will be a series of rambling, as most of my posts often are ;)

- I've learned that it's virtually impossible to "sleep when the baby sleeps" as I can't fall asleep on command. 

- I often regret not taking naps.... but only in the wee hours of the night. 

- I've got a pretty terrific baby. In terms of health and temperament, and I should be more grateful during her fussy periods. 

- I've learned that I need to do something outside the house EVERYDAY! If I don't, I get moody, I self-criticize and I become grouchy. Sometimes all it takes is me going out to the backyard. 

- I'm scared to go out for too long or too far away for fear of needing to breast feed in public. I need to get over this. I'm also fearful of changing her diaper anywhere other than home. I know I'll get over this, too. I feel like such a rookie. 

- I've always admired other Moms and their interactions with their children. I never, ever thought I'd see it happen with me. Yesterday morning, Nick was holding Jenna and I started talking, she immediately careened her neck over to look at me, and she looked at me with such admiration. It's amazing. Another scenario: we went out for sushi (YAY!) and she started crying and fussing in her car seat. I took her outside and the minute I bent over to pick her up, she stopped crying. It's really amazing stuff. And it's happening to me. 

- I hate that Word thinks her name is a misspelling. I wish I would've checked that before she was born. Computers seem to think when we're typing her name it's just us misspelling "Henna". 

- A screaming baby in a car seat sucks when you're in the car alone. 

- Visitors are good if they keep their visits short, get a picture taken, meet her briefly. Guests are more difficult. I determine "Visitors" as those that come by for a short visit and "Guests" as those I have to figure out how to entertain and feed. Should food be brought to us, a "guest" turns into a "visitor" as no effort needs to be made on our part to entertain them. This changes my whole philosophy on visiting friends with babies, or anyone recovering from a surgery, grieving, etc. 

- I have a whole new perspective on purchasing for Baby Showers and for immediately Post Partum gifts. My pregnant friends will soon discover this (not in a bad way at all!) 

- I can love her and be so frusterated with her at the same time. And then she gives a "gas" smile and suddenly it's as though the last hour and a half of screaming was worth it. 

- I can survive on much less sleep than I ever thought. 

- I'm amazed how much more I love Nick. And how much his hugs mean to me when it's been a long day or night (or both!) 

- I missed wine just as much as I thought I did. Now I still don't drink much of it, but I savor every sip. 

- Breast feeding is just as hard as everyone says it is. But succeeding with it is more rewarding than I could ever imagine. I've been lucky and I am super grateful. 

- Hearing Nick's Dad ask me if "all the cuts and bruises are healing well" is not nearly as laughable and cringe-worthy as hearing his Grandmother tell me "So I hear you have good milk!" 

- I never thought I could get used to hearing myself be referred to as "Mom" but the minute she was here it felt so natural and wasn't awkward at all. 

That's it for now, more to come later.

2w, 6d old!