5 Things my Son taught me about being a parent

1. Fed is best. I had always planned on breast feeding my children. However, when I came home from the hospital with Paxton and began that process, it devastated me to realize that it wasn't something I would be able to do. I felt that I had let my son down by feeding him formula and I felt some sort of deeply rooted shame every time I went to purchase it. It took me a while to realize that fed is best. Breast fed, bottle fed, formula fed, mixture, just feed your kids. Whatever's comfortable for you, whatever works for you. If your baby is fed you are doing your job.



2. Keeping up with the Jones. I would love to tell you that my house is spotless right now, but that would be a huge lie. Frequently there's crumbs on the floor, currently Paxton's clean clothes are unfolded in his laundry basket and we've been pulling out what we need as we go, our bedroom is cluttered, and our front flower beds need weeding. But I can honestly say I'm doing the best I can. I pick up when I can. I clean up as I go. But I have accepted that if I plan to keep my house spotless and love my newborn I, personally, am gonna go insane.



3. If you weren't a morning person before, you are now. SURPRISE! It took having my son to help me become friends with the early morning hours. But now it's good!.... most days. My days start early, it's how I plan on justifying living in yoga pants for the rest of my life.



4. Your EVERYTHING hurts. Your arms hurt from holding, if you're not holding you're rocking, if you're not rocking you're folding laundry, making bottles, or fighting with them to stay still for a bath or diaper change. Your back hurts from holding, if you're not holding you're rocking, if you're not rocking your reaching for them or them for you. You're holding them still and reaching for a diaper or wipe, etc. Your neck hurts from sleeping in odd positions so that the baby will sleep and YOU can sleep. I think Ben and I both have fallen asleep in the recliner, glider, couch and the floor. Yep, the floor.



5. It's all worth it. So hang in there, Moms!