{The first year: Practicality}

Saw this post here and wanted to share. I added my tidbits in turquoise

The first year: Practicality

Don't be afraid to say that being a mom is hard because it is. Saying it is easy is a load of crock and no mom will believe you. Not even if you sound convincing! - I agree 100%!! It's the hardest thing I have ever done, but hands down the most rewarding! I wouldn't trade this job for the world!

Cover baby private parts at all times. Pee can go the distance and in anything that is near, including your mouth. - OMGosh! I laugh out loud at this one because I have a great story! We were giving Mason a bath one evening and he pee'd all the way up our wall, down our mirrors and in our Scentsy plug in! Nate laughs and says Mason was trying to make a new scent. Ewww. But it was hilarious. We couldn't stop laughing long enough to clean it up. Good thing Mason was only weeks old or he would have thought it was a game the way we were laughing.

Take a lot of pictures. Seems kinda self-explanatory but with working full-time, I would forget to do this and sometimes I just chase him around with the camera. He grew so fast and changed so much, I'm glad I did! I am so so so mad at myself on this one. I am a total picture freak, but I lagged in the first couple months. I wish I would have started my weekly "diaper series" of pictures at week 1. *Sigh* We try to take a lot of video...just takes so long to upload since our video camera is HD.

Take a lot of videos. We try to take a lot of video...just takes so long to upload since our video camera is HD. Reminds me that I have a lot I need to post!

It's okay for grandma to spoil even though some of the things they do make you cringe. - Spoil definitely, cringe - only time this happened so far is when Nana fed Mason refried beans and queso! ha! I was so scared he would have a belly ache that evening and not sleep..but he did just fine. Just the Mommy in me! Not to mention I am a worry wart by nature anyway.

You're not a bad mom if you do not feel like being a mom is awesome all the time. - not sure I have felt this way yet. Inadequate, yes!

Keep extra supplies in your trunk you never know when there will be a poop disaster. - Nice advice!

It's okay to leave the dishes in the sink. - oh yeah!!! Always! ha! Sorry Leslie!

Babies really do grow up so fast so try not to take a second for granted. - Too fast! My sweet Mason is 5 months old. He totally skipped the "baby" stage. He grew up too fast. He's now an 18+ pound teething, drooling, talking, moving laughing big boy!

Really...blink and your child will be walking across the room! - won't be long!

Write down what your child is doing each month, on a scrap piece of paper, blog, something. You will forget little things before the next month and the first few months years are very hazy from lack of sleep. - I do this weekly on the blog :)

Those first few months truly are about survival mode. Do what you can do get some sleep. - totally agree. "I'm a Survivor" totally gives new meaning to that Destiny's Child song. :) Although, I would like to say that Nate and I truly pulled through together (along with some awesome help) and did a wonderful job for first time parents!! Nathan amazes me everyday with how wonderful he is with Mason.

Stock up on saline, gas drops and wine. The latter is for mom, of course! - definitely have the gas drops and saline...no wine for this nursing momma!

Don't be afraid to ask for help. - we were at first. We totally wanted rock this parenting thing on our own...but nothing wrong with asking for help and advice on things!!

Get Dad involved. - Nate is a very hands-on daddy!! I didn't change one diaper while we were in the hospital. Nate wanted to and I sat back and watched! It was nice. I couldn't ask for him to be more involved than he already is.

Eating dog food, dirt, or even licking trees (yes, my child has done all 3) really won't hurt them. Unless that tree is covered in psychedelic shrooms. - ahh, what's to come :)

Craigslist and ebay are gold mines for baby stuff. - we didn't go this route...we were very fortunate to be gifted most of Mason's big stuff!

Shopping consignment store and sales are awesome ways to save money on clothes that they get little wear out of. No matter how cute a piece of clothing is, it might only get worn once. You'll feel much better after a giant blowout that the outfit didn't cost much! - We have a consignment shop in Hachie that we LOVE!!!! We are also very blessed in that we have a couple friends with boys a little older than us that handed us down some great clothes!

Don't worry, you're not doing it wrong, and no, you will not scar your child for life. - I know I've asked myself this a few times!!

Worrying is part of being a mom. - Good, now I have an excuse for being a worry wart! Thanks!

Somehow you find the energy to get through the day, no matter how little you slept the night before. Coffee helps. - so true! I've managed without the help of coffee so far. I just look at Mason, he keeps me going. He's my energy booster!

Doing it the way you feel is right is always the right way no matter what other people tell you. - we are learning this day by day! But I love to ask my favorite Mommys how they did things with their babies.

Be prepared for your life to never be the same again. No matter how much you try not to that little being that you carried for nine months and watch grow each day will change you in ways you never thought were possible. - so true! Mason has changed every aspect of our lives and I wouldn't have it any other way. I never knew my heart could love so much. I cry in amazement watching him grow.

 

Plus, you will not be able to remember what it was like before that baby came into your life! - hubby and I say this all the time!!!

This was such a great post, I had to share and comment how it portrays to the Hall life!!