Saturday was Kendall's 100th day birthday. (Can you tell I was a kindergarten teacher??) And what a 100 days it has been! I had a clue that this baby would change our lives, but I have now experienced the life altering, wonderful change that I had always heard about. I have compiled a list of 100 tips and lessons I've learned for new mothers. Hopefully what I have learned can help you out if that's you! (Some of these tips were learned the hard way.)
1. Forget the advice: Nap when your baby naps. Yeah, right! Not if you need to eat, bathe or maintain any other basics of life.
2. 4 hours sleep is enough to manage.
3. 5 hours is refreshing!
4. One coat of mascara works just as well.
5. Prioritize while baby is sleeping. (ie: eat first)
6. Formula can be measured and water poured into bottles with one hand.
7. Accept all help offered.
8. No need to sweep floors - just wear socks.
9. Keep a journal. It's amazing what you'll forget and then cherish later.
10. Read BabyWise
11. Read The Baby Whisperer.
12. Read The Happiest Baby on the Block.
13. Read The Happiest Baby on the Block.
14. Did I mention The Happiest Baby on the Block???
15. Read all you can get your hands on.
16. Remember: Baby books are a guide, not a manual.
17. Not all babies are textbook babies.
18. Mylacon can be added straight into bottles.
19. Swaddle. Swaddle. Swaddle
20. Formula and spit up can double as perfume.
21. Never get dressed until AFTER feeding and changing baby. (Tip from Gabe)
22. Ignore thoughtless comments from others.
23. One can never have too many bouncy seats (one for each room).
24. Think YOUR socks get eaten by the dryer monster??
25. Stock up on laundry detergent.
26. Clip diaper coupons.
27. Take out a second mortgage to pay for formula.
28. Invest in Baby Einstein stock.
29. Be prepared to get nothing done. (Difficult for OCD busy bees like myself.)
30. If on maternity leave: take ALL 12 weeks. You'll never regret the money, and you'll always cherish the time.
31. Your pediatrician's nurse will answer ANY question you have. Don't hesitate to call.
32. Buy a COMFORTABLE rocker. one high enough to catch your nodding head at 2am.
33. Let a friend babysit and get out!
34. Hormones and emotions are real. This too shall pass.
35. You can never pack too many extra diapers.
36. Always carry a camera in your purse. You never know when something cute will happen.
37. Take a million pictures. Don't delete any. Even the bad ones.
38. Make sure to have a video camera at the hospital. Borrow one if need be.
39. Only the part of your legs that sticks out of capris needs to be shaven every day.
40. Be mindful of the overnight onslaught of crazy drivers on the road.
41. You CAN drive with the back light on so baby can see toys hanging on carrier handle at night.
42. Lift weights now. You'll need those arm muscles to carry the lead-filled carrier.
43. Buy those little toys that dangle from the carrier handle (mentioned above).
44. Not only can you make a bottle with one hand, you can also use the restroom with one hand also. (I'll spare the rest of the details. Just figure it out.)
45. Hold your baby. Alot.
46. Write a letter to your child.
47. Pray scripture over your child.
48. A trip to the mailbox constitutes an "outing".
49. Even if you pierce your little girl's ears, strangers will still ask, "Is it a boy or girl?" (Not first hand advice, but none the less.)
50. All pink head to toe, bows on head, a sign that reads, "I'm a girl" will not solve the above problem either.
51. Sing to your baby.
52. Anything you want done, do before baby arrives.
53. Your "want to" will change. Or as said in MS, "your y'ant to".
54. Babies love buggy rides. Especially at night.
55. Stock up on gas now while the price is down. You'll drain your reserve quickly.
56. Simplify your life.
57. Start a blog.
58. Scrapbook.
59. Keep a sense of humor.
60. Find a friend with a baby. Talk alot.
61. Find a friend with a toddler. They're baby experts and still have a fresh memory.
62. Take only the advice that works for you.
63. Take time to adjust to your new role.
64. Pacifiers mysteriously disappear.
65. Buy a heater for bathtime. You'll love it too and wonder why you went all these years without one.
66. A car cannot have too many safety features.
67. When ordering off a menu (or cooking at home) be mindful of foods that are "easy to eat" with one free hand.
68. Poop happens.
69. If someone gives you an evil eye in public, they've never had a baby.
70. The only people who refer to "sleeping like a baby" are the ones who never had one. Or else forgot.
71. Only go to noisy restaurants. It'll drown out your baby.
72. The first time your baby sleeps through the night, you'll be too excited to sleep.
73. Say to yourself: This is normal.
74. Think of the millions of other parents doing the same thing as you at 2am.
75. Never brag about your child who NEVER cries and ALWAYS sleeps to a bleary eyed new mother.
76. The people mentioned above are liars.
77. Forget wearing necklaces for the next few years.
78. Only wear clothes that can go through the drier and don't need ironing.
79. You will become invisible once your baby arrives. Oh well. It's all about them anyway.
80. Schedule play dates with friends.
81. Football games can be watched on mute. So can everything else.
82. A radio on static in baby's room drowns out barking poodles.
83. Buy a bigger house. You'll need the storage.
84. Buy a bigger car for same reason.
85. Decorative pillows are a nuisanse.
86. Getting out of the house in the mornings takes an act of Congress. Start early.
87. Baby books is literature.
88. The baby industry makes a fortune. You'll become a contributor. Gladly.
89. Motherhood is the hardest job you'll ever do.
90. The pay might be lousy, but the benefits are beyond measure.
91. You'll find out how to love someone so much it hurts.
92. You might think you need to get away for a break (which is likely true) but within minutes you'll be ready to rush back.
93. Write down all you do for in your spare time now. After baby, you won't have any idea what you used to do.
94. Grab a box of kleenex when packing away newborn sized clothes.
95. Plan ahead for the mound of Christmas presents sure to come.
96. Make grocery shopping a family outing.
97. Buy lots of batteries. Every size.
98. Don't play "flying baby" over your head right after mealtime. (another tip from Gabe)
99. Savor every moment.
100. Thank God every day for this awesome blessing in your life. Ask for wisdom. Relax and enjoy the journey.
loved it! all so true. except for the nap when baby naps. i still do this... but you know me, i'd rather nap than shop (most of the time :)
ReplyDeleteI second every one of those! Although I have a toddler and seem to have forgotten all that I did with him. I'm having to relearn again! And it isn't any easier the second time around... But it sure is a blessing to see them smile! Melts my heart!
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