Things I have learned

I have learned if you love someone enough you can pick boogers out of their nose (or suck them out with a nose frieda) and collect a poop sample and it really doesn't bother you all that much.

I have learned you will never regret holding your baby for one extra minute.

I have learned your spouse/partner is the most important person (well tied for first with the baby) and you need to put as much effort into the relationship as you possibly can.  He is the one who is going to dry your tears, hold your hand when things get tough and be there when that baby grows up and moves away. I've learned to never take that relationship for granted.

I've learned it's ok to spoil your child... It is always ok to spoil them by holding loving them "too much". Every once in a while its ok to spoil them with material items.

I've learned that often times mothers feel judged when really people are trying to help. If I whine/complain about something my daughter/husband/family etc is doing another mom will offer her advice. That mom is not judging you, she's offering advice she thinks you are asking for. Most moms really do have the best of intentions.

I have learned I don't parent at all like I thought I would.

I have learned to take help when offered (if needed). This was hard for me. I actually learned this in the grocery store when a woman offered to put my groceries on the conveyor belt from my cart as I was wearing my sleeping baby. I wanted more than anything to tell her I didn't need her help but I did and was so thankful for her offer.

I have learned that my beautiful little baby girl can spit up on me, poop and pee on me, pull my hair with all her might and have a wild party at 3 am and I still think she is the most beautiful, wonderful being on earth.

I have learned that I love my husband more than I ever thought possible. Watching him play with and care for our daughter is the most beautiful sight in the world.

I have learned that being a mother is the most remarkable amazing thing in the world. I came alive the day my daughter was born. I never imagined it would be this good. The pains of pregnancy and delivery, the lost sleep, the never ending to-so list are all so worth it to spend one minute with that beautiful baby girl.

I have learned I should have been a lot nicer to my mom.

People told me it was a mistake

People told me it was a mistake to let my baby sleep in my room for the first 3 months of her life.  But she learned to sleep for over 6 hours (plus 4 hours after a feeding) in her second week of life. She is a better sleeper than any other baby I know.

People told me it was a mistake to nurse on demand, that a baby needs a schedule. But she learned I would feed her when she was hungry. That I would watch her, not the clock. We developed an amazing nursing relationship. She is a great eater and I have a great supply

People told me it was a mistake to rock my baby to sleep every night. But we developed an unbreakable bond and bedtime always (well almost always) goes smoothly in our house.

People told me it was a mistake to hold my baby while she napped. But I learned you'll never regret holding her for one more minute. You will always regret time that you let slip away.

People told me it was a mistake to hold her and entertain her every time she was awake. But she learned that mom is fun and she also learned how to play and now is very content to play by herself.

People told me it was a mistake to not "get my baby on a schedule" for naps, feeding, bedtime etc. That I needed to be home for her to eat and sleep.  But she learned to be flexible. She learned to eat wherever we are when she's hungry and sleep wherever we are when she's tired.

People told me it was a mistake to take my newborn in public when she was so young. But again she learned to be flexible. She learned to take in and process her ever changing environment. She learned its really fun to look at the lights at Target and Kroger and that the mall has great trees to look at.

People told me it was a mistake to wear my baby around the house. But she was able to experience everything I did. She learned by watching and listening without me "teaching" her.  She also learned that a sling is a great place to take a nice long nap.

People can continue to tell me its a mistake to parent this way and I'll continue to do it.