1) Treasure long, warm, relaxing bath/showers.
Example: Today I attempted to shower while Addilyn watched Sesame Street. Instead of watching her show, she opened the shower curtain a foot or two to watch me shower and talk to me the entire time. ;)
2) Your house is going to get messy. Toddlers are like little tornados. Embrace it.
3) We had NO excuse to ever be late or tired before.
4) Each and everyday you will be reminded of God's strong, amazing love for you.
It's a truly wonderful thing to be a parent and love Addilyn more than I could have ever imagined, to think that God loves us (and our daughter/future son) more than that boggles my mind.
5) Snuggle times are the best things ever. Your daughter will not be spoiled because she feels loved and safe.
6) Don't read too many parenting books.
They made me question everything and it turns out we really do know our child better than any of the books. We know what she needs.
7) Listen to all the advice given to you, but take it all with a grain of salt. Like #6, you really do know your baby the best. You'll know what they need.
8) You're going to miss your family more than you ever have before.
9) Watch and learn from examples of Godly parenting. It's amazing to see so many 'right' ways to raise your children that are soooo different. God knows you and knows what your kid(s) need. He entrusted them to you for a reason. There's not just one way to do things.
10) Use that sling, baby!
For some reason (stupid parenting books) I felt like Addilyn would be super spoiled if I let her stay in the sling or used it very often. She's a snuggler and once I got over the worrying stage, we were all much happier living life attached.
11) Breastfeeding really wasn't that stressful/hard.
Well, at least with Addilyn. I know it could be different this next time around-but the constant pre-baby stress I had about it before was NOT worth it. The pumping was NOT fun though...so thankful I won't have to do that (well at least as much) again!
12) Be prepared to constantly have your lap/arms full.
If I'm sitting anywhere, little Miss is on my lap. Sometimes it makes me crazy, most of the time it makes me slow down and enjoy it because I know it won't last forever.
13) Every tiny new thing she does will make you tear up and burst with pride.
This week alone (it's only Tuesday) a few examples are: Addilyn understanding 'behind' and 'in front of' when she wants to play with my hair, Hearing Addilyn ask "What are you doing?", She's making snakes out of playdough by herself!, "Wuv you too!", going pp in the potty!,
14) You'll love each other even more as husband and wife because you see each other as parents too.
15) A flexible schedule works best for you. Your life did not stop because your baby came, it just got 500 times better.
For awhile, I seemed to think my parenting personality should be different than my regular one...Well, it's not. I like to have an idea of when things will happen but be able to be a little flexible with those times. We don't leave places at night because it's 8pm and that's usually when she sleeps, we leave when our kid gets cranky and needs sleep. We have lots of things in the evenings-youth group, small group, church meetings, time with friends that our girl is a part of and we can't leave everything early just because she usually goes to bed earlier. Addilyn can adjust well and do wonderfully with that. Hopefully our baby boy will be the same way. ;)
