Motherhood in the Raw: Part 3

Well, here is Part 3 of my so-called Motherhood advise. As stated before, I am in NO WAY an expert on Mothering, but feel the need to share real life experiences that happen on a day-to-day basis or lessons I have already learned. So, here goes...


1. Waste not, want not. Hand-me-downs are a blessing, no doubt. I highly suggest if you are offered hand-me-downs to take them! I have done this and been very blessed with clothes for Judah. I think it's important to push your pride to the side and accept such generosity or to give generously. When they are infants, you only need a select few cute/nice clothes for Church. The rest will get puked, drooled, and pooped on, so why spend the money on nice clothes if you've been offered slightly used ones? Not to mention that these kids grow so quickly they may only where an outfit once or twice. Of course, I always imagined my kids would be in designer clothes and always dressed to the nines, but somehow baby Formula and food just seems more important on the budget end of things.



2. I just don't know. I have already had several times in Judah's life that I just didn't know what to do. No amount of reading can prepare you for everything that you will need to know for children. Frustrating! I sometimes think that I lack a motherly instinct. There are times that I just don't know. I cry about it, then pray about it and do what I can to help him. Most of the time, it's Justin that seems to come up with a solution or tells me to just calm down because usually it's not that big of a deal. And most of the time he's right. Oh and one more piece to this. Find a pediatrician that has a Triage nurse always on call. Lately this has been a life safer. They are quick to let me know if I'm overreacting or if my concerns are legitimate. Such a relief when you have NO idea what to do.

3. Teething Joys. Judah currently has his two bottom teeth, but is working on getting his two top ones. EVERYTHING changes when they are teething. The diapers get more runny, they loose their appetite, they don't nap or sleep well, and they are just miserable! This usually means you are miserable too. Poor little guy would wake up at 3 in the morning and scream for 2 hours straight. This from a child who ALWAYS sleeps at least 10-11 hrs. a night without fail! Normal soothers are Highlands teething tablets, Orajel or Tylenol. The tablets have chamomile in them that calm them down when they are worked up. Well, NONE of our tricks worked this go around. I ended up taking him to the Dr. b/c I was convinced that he had an ear infection. WRONG (see you later $25 copay) he's "Just Teething". OH Joy! So now we are able to give him Motrin which lasts up to 8 hours!! What a Godsend. Works like a charm and we are all now happy.

4. Baby Bullies. Undoubtedly there's always one in your nursery or daycare that will bully your child. Judah was just poked in the eye last night by a toddler. He has a busted blood vessel in his eye and it looks awful! Best thing to do - remain calm. Of course I was mad, but there's nothing I could do; the damage was done. Besides who's to say when you're child gets older he/she won't inflict pain on another child.

Through the Fire...

It's times like these that the reality and meaning of that phrase come alive to me. It's always so uncomfortable to go through trials and personal issues. I'm convinced that God is always with me, but yet I worry. Why is that? Is it because i don't have my full Trust in HIM? I cannot tell you how many times I have surrendered to the beast of WORRY. Why is it that the minute things get "hot" it rears it's ugly head?
Fire: (n) Destructive burning, continuous attack, a gem's brilliance.
Seriously, whoever wrote the dictionary must have been spirit-filled. (LOL) I love the last interpretation. I know that without going through the fire I can be refined like a fine gem. I know at the end of these trials I will shine with God's revelation to me. There is a reason it hurts, growing pains I guess. I pray I don't loose sight of WHO is in control. God make me stronger than I am and to fully depend on you, my Provider.

Roly Poly

Well, Judah is really growing! Much has happened lately. He will be 6 months old in 2 days. I cannot believe it. He is eating cereal and sweet potatoes now. He loves food! He's up to 18 pounds now! Judah started trying to crawl this past weekend. (Go to Justin's blog for the video.) I know he's going to be into everything very soon. Lord help! I'm SO not ready for that. Gone are the days of just laying Judah on the couch while I prep his bottle. He is rolling and scooting around everywhere!
Another trick we have been using since he has been fighting sleep like no other, is playing worship music in his room at night. We've always known that music puts him to sleep (it did when he was in my belly too!) so we've been doing that at night. If he doesn't fall asleep when I rock him and them put him down, we just lay him in is crib and he eventually will roll over get comfy and fall asleep to the music. He's also gotten really good at putting his pacifier back in his mouth, so that's good! Judah is also sleeping up to 10 or 11 hours at night. PTL!!
He really is such a sweetheart. His personality is really shining through. He will certainly be active though. I promise, he would get up and walk if he was strong enough. The bright side to that is, maybe with me chasing him I'll shed this extra weight that is STILL here after 6 months.
Can you tell I'm a little bitter about the weight thing. Seriously it's the most frustrating thing. I have never had a weight problem. It seems that this 10 lbs will just be there for-ev-er. I thought for sure it would fall off, especially after I stopped nursing. I guess I better start running it off now. It's just so darn hot and we can't afford a gym membership. Besides, I'm convinced it's hormone related. Even if I hardly eat anything, my number doesn't budge!! So frustrating. Oh well, I'm trying to stay positive that there is a way. Any suggestions out there? I'm open!

Pictures for you!

My Sweet Boy!
First time at the Beach, Memorial Day
Momma's Boy!
At Paula Deen's, the Lady and Son's
Eating Cereal for the first time...not very tasty!

You talking to me?

Funny Story...

Okay, so I know I said I would post all pictures, but I had to share this quick little story with you all. I was sitting on the couch with Judah one day after work. As a rule, we don't really let Judah watch TV unless it's Praise Baby. Well he was laying there as I watched my TiVoed Oprah show. He looked over at the TV when it was a close up on Oprah and started laughing. He looked away, then looked back and smiled his gummy smile at her. I started laughing at him asking him who he thought it was...then it dawned on me! His teacher at daycare is the sweetest black lady named Miss Brenda. She is with him all day when he's at daycare and he just loves her...that's who he thought it was! I'm convinced he thought Oprah was Miss Brenda! Just wanted to share. Too Funny, huh?!

Busy Bee...

It's been a while since I last blogged. My life has been busy busy busy!! With all the graduations and summer events, we have been going non-stop! Judah is growing SOOO fast. I can't believe it..he will be 5 months on Monday. Here are a few new discoveries with Judah. He has discovered his feet and hands. I will find him in his swing just staring at his fingers...it's hilarious. He has cut 2 of his bottom teeth, this explains the incessant drooling! We switched pediatricians and I love our new Dr. He's young, sarcastic, and tells it like it is. Also, Judah is a squealer; he's certainly found his voice. He squeals all the time, it's so cute! Judah had his first trip to the beach on Memorial Day when we were in Savannah. We had the best time being with my family and spending quality time together, INSIDE, because it rained the entire time we were there!! Boo! Judah has gotten really good at rolling over from his belly to his back. I'll go to feed him in the mornings and he is either up on his elbows and looking up at me smiling or on his back, looking at me, like look what I did mom! I will post an all picture update next...stay tuned.

Shout-out to all the single moms!

So, Justin was out of town for 4 days this week. He went with the staff to a Conference in Atlanta. I, of course, was dreading being home alone without any help with Judah. I got a small taste of what being a single parent with no family around is like. Yikes! Needless to say I kept busy. Judah did great. I was exhausted. We had a good time together. It was so funny when Justin got home you could tell Judah was excited to see him. He started smiling and laughing as soon as he saw him. Daddy is more fun than Mommy! I think he knows when Justin comes around it's time to play.
So, I just wanted to give a shout-out to all you single moms! I don't know how you do it everyday, all day. Regardless of the circumstances that led you to be a single mom, I admire and respect you. Keep up the good work!