Advice that Only a Mom Could Give

I was asked at a baby shower if I have a blog for all my Mommy tips. My response was, “well kind of. I have a blog, but don’t seem to find time to post anymore.” :) So this post is dedicated to my co-worker’s daughter, Mandy. I hope you find some of these tips helpful and maybe even make your life a little easier. Congrats and good luck!

1. Don’t take lactation consults too serious. (They do this enough themselves.) Your little one knows what the “good stuff” is, so if you give him a bottle even once a day he is not going to “get confused.” (n fact we did this is preparation for me going back to work. When it was time for me to work, Zoey had nothing to do with the bottle. :)

2. How to ward off post-partum depression.

1. Eat snacks. Have easy foods on hand that you can eat with little prep. (Fruit cup, yogurt, pretzels, cheese cubes, sandwich materials, etc)

2. Takes naps. -It’s easy to want to clean or play on the computer, but taking a nap REALLY helps

3. Take a shower every day. No, really. -Some days it is hard to find time for a simple shower, but fresh clothes and a shower really does wonder for the mood.

4. Take small outings. –I’m talking super simple. Just a ride in the car to soak up some sun (if there’s any to be found) and get fresh air.

3. Babies don’t know about designer labels. Save money now and by 2^nd hand clothes. Babies don’t care if they are wearing Gap or Walmart.

4. Use the date stamp on your camera. Having the date right on the picture is priceless when looking back at pictures.

5. Skip stage one food. Stage one and stage two baby foods are the same foods. The stage two food just comes in a container twice as big and is often the same price as stage one food. Yes, some will get throw away at first, but you will get your monies worth.

6. Skip the kid’s meal. There is no point paying for an extra meal for your little one for awhile after they start eating table food. They just don’t eat that much and there is no point and buying a $4 meal for 3 bites of food. Bring a fruit cup, juice box, and crackers when eating out and just share your meat from your meal.

7. Always have an umbrella stroller in the car. You never know when it will come in handy. This will free your hands to do other things, such as banking.

8. Avoid over scheduling. Everyone will be excited to see your little one, but too much visiting will be more than you and baby can handle. It is perfectly okay to say things like, “Today is not good, Afternoons work best for us, or We are really not up for visitors.”

9. Always have your camera handy. Keep it in your purse when you go out and leave it on and nearby counter when at home. You will catch the best moments when you have your camera in sight and in mind.

10. Socks make great teethers. Certainly there are other items that work too, but in a pinch a clean pair of socks stashed in the diaper bag makes the perfect teething relief for your little one. (And when table food is introduced baby carrots are nice for your little one to chew on.)

So 10 is a nice amount to end with. Plus, if I don’t go back to sleep it will be time for another feeding. ;) If I think of other great tips I will add them. :)

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Words are Powerful

While shopping this weekend something happened that I just can't shake. I feel like I am suppose to share it, so that others may have the same realization that I had.

If you don't know I gave birth to our daughter via c-section about 10 weeks ago. I suppose being self conscious about what how one looks is just something that comes with being a new Mom (again). However, I allowed my own insecurities to effect another person, which I'm having a hard time forgiving myself for.

While standing in the checkout line I caught the eyes of another women. She smiles and says I like your shirt. In the moment I couldn't even remember what I was wearing but thought to myself, "How nice. Maybe I am starting to look a little better in my clothes again" I polity said, "thank you."

What she said next is what took me by surprise. With kindness she asked "Are you going to have a baby?" I was appalled, enraged, and down right shocked! My mouth went before consulting my brain.

With as much attitude as a hormonal 16 year old girl, I shapely replied, Well actually, no I am not. I HAD a baby." I was ready to follow that with, "That really isn't something you should be asking people." (which may sound fine as you read it, but in my head it was not going to be said kindly.)

Before I could get those words out, as if she never said anything and I never spoke sharply, she asked me, "What's your name?" I felt about two inches tall. At that moment I realized that the lady standing before me was not being rude but likely had some kind of mental slowness. (or whatever the politically correct term is these days.)

I answered her, slightly annoyed bruised ego and all "Rebecca."
She replied, "that's a nice name." Then she asked inquisitively, what's your middle name."
This time I answered with a smile, "Ruth. What's your name?" I needed to salvage this human interaction that had gone south so fast.

Even though I was offended by her words that gave me no right to lash out at her. Every time we open our mouths we have the power to build a person up or to tear them down. I want to make the conscious decision to use my words to empower those around me. Because the old saying, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me," is SO wrong. It should be, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will destroy my soul."
Compliments cost nothing to give, but can give a person more pride than a trophy. I think as a whole we are all too stingy with compliments. Even if we are on the tightest budget we can give compliments out like we are rich, because when we are filled with happiness that is when we are truly blessed.

If you made it all the way to the end of my story(congratulations), I hope it blessed your heart and will leave an impression on your mind that will last with you. May God Bless you and in turn may you bless those around you with the kind of kindness that only God can show.

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