A few days ago my son turned three months old. I really don’t understand how time has moved so quickly and its crazy to me how big my little guy seems. Since bringing him home as this tiny, perfect newborn he has already learned so, so much. His favorite thing he’s learned is definitely that he can turn his head. Seriously his head never holds still, he is constantly looking left, right, up, down, behind him, etc. He’s really loving all this neck control.

But he’s not the only person learning new things..

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN THREE MONTHS

A FULL NIGHT OF SLEEP ISN’T MANDATORY: Before my son was born I never fell asleep before midnight 6.5 nights out of the 7 in the week, but I still needed sleep. I was convinced I couldn’t get things done, be productive or be even half human without plenty of sleep. I have now been sleep deprived for the whole 3 months The Captain has been around and you know what? I can totally function with only a couple hours of sleep up my sleeve. I mean ya, there are certainly some days I wish I could have clocked in a few more hours or slept in, but I truly don’t need as much sleep as I thought I did.

PATIENCE WITH MYSELF: As far as I’m concerned my baby is perfect so I have yet to lose my patience with him, but I cannot always say the same about myself, though I am learning to. Sometimes I lay in bed and feel guilty for not being the very best mom/wife I could be. Sometimes The Captains blowout laundry sits in an untouched pile for far too long. Sometimes I put zero effort into dinner. Sometimes I have plenty of time to be productive and house-wifey but I spend my time doing anything else. Sometimes I don’t know why my baby is crying and can’t ‘fix’ him as fast as we both wish I could. But thats reality and I’m learning to be patient with myself and give myself credit and positive affirmations.

ITS OK TO HAVE DIRTY, STINKY CLOTHES: I used to be the person who always had a clean, fresh, unwrinkled outfit. Then I had a baby and now I often have spit up down the front of me and on those *lucky* days, poop and potty also find their way onto my clothes. So with hearing that you can just imagine the smell.. But hey, there are more important things than clean looking/smelling clothes.

MY BODY IS A WORK IN PROGRESS: I have already written about my thoughts on women post baby bodies (read post here) and I still stand by every word I said. Of course there are still days I get discouraged that my stomach is still as squishy as play dough and my boobs are usually two different sizes thanks to nursing, but I know that my body did something incredible by bringing my tiny BFF into the world so I respect it and I know that as long as/if I put the work into it and eat right, I’ll eventually get the results I’m wishing for. It may not be a fast transition, but it can happen. In the meantime I’m just going to still be proud of what my squishy belly (& my insides) did.

PRIORITIES HAVE DRASTICALLY SHIFTED: Nap time for The Little Captain is as precious as gold. Nap time is the #1 priority now and I will schedule my day around his 3 to 4 naps to keep everyone in this house happy, well-tempted and just feeling good. Plus there is nothing cuter than watching him wake up from a nap then getting to play with him for a while after he wakes up – he is the happiest little guy after a good, long nap. (can you blame him?)

EVEN TEENY BABIES LIKE BOOKS: I really thought babies under 6 months didn’t care a bit about books and reading. I received lots of books before my son was born and would mentally think to myself ‘I won’t be using these forever,’ but I couldn’t have been more wrong. We love reading time. The Captain sits on my lap and happily kicks and flails his arms around as he excitedly looks at each new page. Its adorable and I can tell he genuinely enjoys it.

MAKE UP AND CUTE HAIR CAN BE SACRIFICED SOMETIMES: I’m definitely a firm believer that cute hair and a nice face of make up can be the recipe for a really great day. I was sure I’d think the same thing once my son was here, too. I was all prepped and ready to be the mom who got ready every single day – but that has ultimately become something far from my reality. I used to spend an embarrassing amount of time on my make up and hair, but since The Captain’s arrival, I can’t leave him alone for so long and he gets bored and doesn’t like not being held for longer than 15 minutes (& i don’t like not holding him for longer than 15 minutes). So there are just some days that I opt out of any make up and throw my hair into a top knot and call it good then go hang with my little man.

I REALLY LOVE MY HUSBAND: Watching Wild Man become a father has been incredible. I always knew he’d be an amazing dad because I’ve seen how good he is with our nieces and nephews, but he’s really exceeded my expectations when it comes to fatherhood. He rocks it. He loves our son and there is something so special about the bond they have. Since we have had The Captain I’ve seen Wild Man with new eyes and its made my love for him grow even stronger. He is an amazing man and I am so blessed to be his wife for time and all eternity.

I NEED ME TIME: You’ll never hear me admit this out loud, but I do. Typically my favorite ‘me time’ is in the bath tub. That is where I relax and unwind. A couple times a week I decide to draw a hot, bubble bath and shut the door and just let myself relax and think about nothing. I fight guilt the entire time because I really hate being without my boys, but I also think the time I set aside for myself is something that helps me maintain balance and sanity.

MOTHERHOOD IS MY CALLING: I always knew I wanted to be a mom since I was a little girl. I have vivid memories of laying in bed and pretending to deliver babies/stuffed animals then proceed to ‘raise’ them. I loved it then and knew it would be a trillion times better once it was the real deal. In high school I can totally remember wondering to myself how many years after school I’d get married and have babies because I really was so anxious. Now that I am a mom and I have my first little baby, I have no doubt that this is what I have always been meant to do with my life. I love being a mom. There is no greater joy. I’m lucky to be able to be a full-time mom and spend nearly 24/7 with my son – I truly wouldn’t have it any other way.

xoxo

ceeceesparkles