my new mommy encouragement

When I first had my son, everybody was quick to give advice and tell me how it was with their kids. This wasn't helpful. Yet, here I am offering advice, or rather encouragement because nobody told me just how hard the first few months would be.

1. It is temporary. Your baby will eventually sleep more, and so will you. He'll cry less, and smile more. You'll be able to put him down and actually clean your own dishes... just not right now and that's okay.

2. If you choose to breastfeed, keep at it! You can do it! Your nipples will heal, your baby will get the hang of it, and it really, truly, does get easier. 

3. GET. OFF. GOOGLE. It's inevitable, you'll find yourself googling things like "When should my baby.." and "How often should my baby..." and that's okay, but most importantly listen to your instinct and your baby, he'll tell you when something's wrong. You know him better than ANY mommy blog, baby center community post, pin, or even medical article. Trust yourself.

4. You are a great mom. You're the only mommy your little bug will ever have, and ever need. He loves you simply because you are you, and he'll forgive and, truly, forget every mistake you may make. You are doing great!

an introduction

Why am I starting a blog?
1. Seems like a fun hobby, seeing as I like to write.
2. It is, apparently, just what moms do.
3. I have something to offer, in that I have experience in areas I know other moms are Googling (as I have) and haven't always found the answers. I may not be able to offer much help, but I know the value in "I've been there."
4. There are a zillion blogs, all of which seem to be written by moms with a zillion perfect children, pristine houses, pinterest-level crafting and recipes, and everything, of course, all organic and home made.

That is not me.
I am, however, a little of everything.

I am not all-organic, but try to choose the healthier, GMO-free options when I can. I am not paleo, and I love gluten. I was raised on "everything in moderation", and yes, that sometimes means devouring a box of practically-plastic Velveeta mac & cheese. (yummm). I feel like a breastfeeding champion (he was slow to gain weight...but we will get there), but did start rice cereal at 5 months (mommy blogs hate this) and I am making my own baby food (which is sometimes organic!) as of now. I use disposable diapers and johnson & johnson products (gasp!), but prefer healthier options. I use the oil cleansing method for my face and love it, but could not handle the "no 'poo" washing of my hair. I love to read, but never make the time... I know how to crochet, but have yet to finish a blanket, and I am finally learning to cook at the age of 26...mostly in the crock pot. I do love creating and crafting, and I do have a pinterest-worthy nursery for my son...mostly thanks to my mom's mad skills. Sometimes my house is clean, sometimes my house is not, but my family is happy, healthy, and awesome.

Pretty positive most moms can relate.

The basics: I love Jesus, I love sunshine, I love my super-awesome husband, and I love my absolute-cutest-baby-ever 6 month old son Caleb.

Edit: January 2020
Still not organic and I still love mac & cheese. My baby isn't a baby anymore and despite the wide variety of foods he devoured when he was little, has become the worlds pickiest 6 year old. I gave up on the oil cleansing method and crochet. I've prioritized reading and, at 32, am actually cooking in real pans. My (new!) home is beautiful and amazing and I love it... still mostly thanks to my mom's mad skills.