Page turners

I can recall back in my days in child development, that it seemed logical that children do not come with an instruction manual.  I remember thinking, 'what kind of idiot needs a manual when it comes to raising children'. Hmmmm, that must explain why there are dozens of child 'manuals' out there from establishing sleeping aids, to breastfeeding through the first 2 years, (eek), and creating the happiest baby on the block.  It is easy to lose oneself in these helpful pages of babble as it as just as easy to question one's self worth as a parent.  Being new to the game I can say that I have found myself falling prey to these books to help us work out the baby's issues in taking a nap for more than 10 minutes without dozing in our arms.  There I was, simultaneously looking up answers on the internet and reading the latest book on babies, ironically while I am holding the baby during his nap.  The deeper I delved into these internet threads and pages in the book, the worse I felt about my capability as a parent.  I just knew he was doomed to be that nine year old child that could not sleep unless he is being nursed and held all the time, possibly still in diapers and it would ALL be my fault.  I was quite down on myself fighting this sleep issue as we spent the majority of nap time picking him up when he cried, putting him down when he stopped, picking him up, putting him down.....and so forth.  Not only were we both exhausted and teary from this experience, there was no progress.  Then it hit me.  I have been around children my whole life, have gotten two degrees based on children, and have yet to harm the one that I gave birth to, so I had to deduce that I was not an idiot and can do this with out the paperback crutches. 
As mentioned before, this whole parenting gig is about confidence building and patience.  Well on our way...

Makes it worth it

I have a theory that babies learn to smile first as a self defense mechanism against frustrated and over-tired parents.  How can you stay freaked out when you get to see this every day??

New MOMs resolution

Each year we make a plan to be a better person while in a drunken stupor on NYE, and by the 10th of January, those plans are long forgotten.  Yet here I am as a new mom, facing a new year and the daunting task of raising my son. There are goals to be set that I feel that I cannot fail.  Its a little terrifying to think that I am responsible to get this little guy ready to handle the world.  I feel that this fear is odd coming from someone who is a teacher.  Hell, you are in charge to ensure that children are learning skills and information to be successful in their future, dealing with at least 18 kids at a time.  One little infant should be a piece of cake right?!
Goal one.  Patience.  I have always been told that I was an extremely patient person when it comes to children.  Granted, I know that I can deal with the needs of multiple 6 year olds at one time, fitfully learned while working at a daycare.  I recall one such day where it was lunchtime; one child lost a tooth, another threw up, and another was trying to run around like a crazy person around the room.  I was able to manage all this craziness and keep the children calm and everyone fed.  So yes I know there is patience that lies within. Yet there are times where I lack it.  Baking.  Painting. Driving.  Parenting.  Maybe I am able to be so patient with other children because there is an end in sight.  They go home.  My child is with me 24/7.  There is no 'off' time.  Now I am not sitting here admitting that I shake him or freak out on him, so don't get all CPS on me.  I just find that  after a long day of either sitting on a exercise ball, continuously stuffing a pacifier in a mouth, and what, you pooped, AGAIN diapers.  I can be a little over it.  Or a lot over it if all I have accomplished that day is a full shower, wiping the counter off, and stuffing some clothes in the basket with the hopes of washing them.  I get frustrated with that lack of 'doing' per say, even though I know I was doing alot by hanging with my son.  Maybe its not patience I need to learn, but acceptance of the new role that I am filling.  It is hard for someone to go from a full day of work (while 9 months pregnant) to working my day around the needs of this little guy.  I recently took a  baby personality quiz, (yeah they have those) and learned that we have what is dubbed a 'sensitive' baby.  Startles at loud noises, cannot go places without being fussy, needs to be held more, needs constant change of activity, very routine. All of this means requiring gallons of patience.  I am hoping that patience is a learned skill.

Top 10 thus far

Top ten things I have learned as a 2 month new parent

1. Sleep is overrated.
2.  Milk gets on everything.
3.  Diapers can last all of 30 seconds before you have to get a new one.
4.  Turning up the car radio temporarily drowns out screaming baby.
5.  Showers are a gift from heaven.
6.  The second you lay him down in a deep sleep, he will promptly wake up.
7.  There are no plans.
8.  You must know what you are getting when you are going into a store.  No milling about.
9.  Yes, you can take exercise balls to a dinner party.
10.  Smiles are the highlight of your day.