Attitude

I had a good day today. You know why? Because I had a good attitude. All day. I haven't always had a good attitude lately. Sometimes I find myself thinking selfish thoughts like, "Why can't I just get more sleep?" and "why is he always screaming?" and "why can't I get anything done?" but yesterday some things Joel said to me made me realize that I'm not being loving towards Zachary when I think selfish thoughts like that or respond impatiently to his cries.

And so I decided to have a joyful attitude. I realized that a sour attitude doesn't make anyone's day better or solve anything. If I complain enough, it might get me some sympathy, but it ruins my day as much as everyone else's. And also love. What is truly love? Love is selflessness and love is action. So when I walk up and down the house for a half hour with a screaming baby, I am loving him. When I respond patiently to his cries at 3:30 in the morning, I am loving him. When I get nothing else done because he eats every 1 1/2 to 2 hours and doesn't sleep all day, I am loving him by taking care of him. So I have been reminding myself of that, too.

And really, attitude does make all the difference. And prayer helps a lot with the attitude. :)

I did it!

The nursery, it has been conquered.

Little Z went into the nursery this morning...for both Sunday school and church. Without incident. The workers said he was 'cute as a button' and 'didn't make a sound'. It was great to be able to enjoy my great ladies Bible study & of course the church service...interrupted only by my obsessive looking at my watch every 5 minutes to see if it was time to go pick up my baby yet! :) I only checked on him once, between Sunday school & church, which is to be expected. Then Joel came & hauled me to the church service, which was very helpful. :)

Tonight Daddy is at church & a KidZone practice, and I am enjoying wearing Zachary in the Snugli (best invention EVER, people--once I figured out I was wearing the straps all wrong, and now it works great!)- and listening to music & packing for vacation!!!

Observations From a One-Month-Old's Mommy

Well...life with a newborn is many things. Exhausting, fun, exhausting, confusing, and strange...but mostly exhausting!!! Now that we are starting to get some things figured out with little Z, it is getting a little easier, but still...sometimes we feel like we have NO CLUE what is going on! Last night was a good night, and we had a good dr.'s appointment this morning, so today is shaping up to be a good day!

The biggest shock to me so far...well, I have always heard SAHM's say that they got so lonely during the day at home with their babies, and just HAD to get out...and I honestly thought I would never feel that way...I am pretty much a homebody, and before I had Zachary I wanted to stay home all the time and work around the house. Well, now Zachary is one month old (today!) and I've been home with him for about 2 weeks, and Joel's been here a few of those days...with time off for the holidays, and already I completely understand what all those moms have been saying. I mean, I love my son, and I'm so glad I get to stay home with him, but honestly, sometimes I do feel like I just need to get out and do something! Or at least talk to someone who says anything other than "WAAAAA"! I turn on HGTV sometimes just to hear someone besides myself TALK. :)

The last few days, though, Zachary has started to smile at me sometimes...and that pretty much makes it all worth it. Yesterday he smiled at me about 3 times while I was reading him a book, and that was pretty special. He is such a cutie, and I really do enjoy my time with him...it's just different than I imagined. This next week, we're taking a trip to Iowa to visit family, so we're looking forward to seeing how he reacts to the traveling & family & all. We can't wait to see our families either! :)