My baby girl turns 1 year old tomorrow but, for purposes of this blog, tomorrow marks 1 year as a mother for me. It has certainly been the most challenging year of my life. What have I learned?
I need to be more understanding of Abby so that I am not impatient with her. While she communicates incredibly well for her age she is still a baby and cannot tell me everything she wants or needs and she is at least as frustrated as I am. I have to be prepared for every possible outcome because she surprises me all the time (usually in a positive way). Distance does indeed make the heart grow fonder. I have to take time away from her so I can appreciate the time I have with her. I am strong. At first I doubted my strength but as a very good friend told me, a lesser person would not have made it through those first months. Housework can wait, period. It's ok to sleep with the monitor off. I'm a much better Mama the next day if I get as much sleep as possible the night before. It's my job to challenge and teach her. If she never experiences anything or anyone new she won't learn. I have to be aware of my own limits. Pushing myself too far only makes for a negative vibe in the whole house. I need to make more time for my husband. No more internet after she goes to bed at night. That needs to be Mama and Daddy time, even if we're just folding laundry together. I don't have to solve all the problems. She's got quite the temper when she's frustrated or tired and sometimes I have to walk away and let her sort herself out. Pediatric society recommenations are just that, recommendations. They aren't rules and I can only follow the ones that work for our family with our real life.
That list could continue for a very long time. What it boils down to is I think I've turned out to be a good mom but there will always be room for growth.
Happy Birthday, Boo Boo!
