The first two months

Not much time to blog these days... but I wanted to give a quick update. For those of you who might twitter, I am scstweets. Ryan got me hooked. He is rjtweets.

Life with an itty bitty newborn was/is...

exhausting

wonderful

amazing

challenging

ever-changing

and

different than I could have ever imagined!

I don't think I've ever met a mom who said, "you know, parenting is a lot easier than I thought it would be." And I won't be the first to say that. It is so much more than I could have imagined. More draining, more fun, more fulfilling, more exhausting... did I mention exhausting?

I think that it's easy to get lost in a fog for the first while with a new baby. Being a brand new mommy, I have so much to learn. I spent the first two months pretty much in survival mode, trying to follow that "mommy instinct" and trust that God would sustain me. The night feedings really weren't the worst part to me... the crying, on the other hand, might have driven me batty...

It was difficult because Holman cried a lot. It was wonderful because he is the most gorgeous thing I have ever laid eyes on. It was challenging because I had to change many of my expectations. It was fulfilling because he wanted me, just wanted to be close to me, just wanted his mommy. It was ever-changing because it seemed like as soon as I figured out how to take care of him, his needs changed. It was amazing because all of the sudden, I was a MOM. A real Mom. This was our baby, and we were free to raise him in whatever way we felt would honor God. Wow. So many dichotomies in parenting.

And now, the fog seems to be lifting.

About two and a half weeks ago, I was having such a hard time because Holman didn't seem happy between feedings. My sweet mother-in-law gently suggested that I try supplementing with some formula. I was so ready and desperate to try anything, so I fed my sweet boy and offered formula afterwards. He gobbled it right up! And would you believe it? He has been practically a different baby since that day. Fussy days, yes. But nothing like before. He was hungry!!!!! Many moms might be saddened by the realization that they couldn't produce enough milk. Sure, I wanted to solely breastfeed. I was certainly feeding frequently enough as they suggest-- we were still on a 2 hour schedule at 8 weeks! But it just wasn't God's plan. Since supplementing, life has changed drastically, and I feel nothing but relief. I praise the Lord for His timing, for preparing my heart, and for bringing this solution for us. Holman is so much happier. It makes life a lot easier around the Smith casa!

I have so much to learn, and I am loving this new season we are in. Being a mom is amazing. As Holman starts to smile more and more, it is becoming so fun!

Some of our milestones so far:

Smiling a LOT now!

Rolled from his tummy to his back 

Looking intently at things, playing with toys in the bouncy seat

Sleeping in his own room and own bed! Hallelujah!

Only getting up once at night and once in the early morning... at least this week! Keep it up, little man.

Starting to learn to go to sleep by himself. Hard for mommy to let him cry some, but it's going well so far.

Had a real babysitter and mom and dad had their first date in 9 weeks. Thank you Amber!!!!!!

We love our handsome little man. We are so blessed to be his parents. We know that life will never be the same, but when we look at his amazing smiling face, we know it will be worth it. May the Lord grant us wisdom to be parents after His own heart.

Love and blessings,

Sarah