Baby Initiation

Having two kids has been an adjustment, of course. But, a much quicker adjustment than I anticipated. Maybe because Miriam was such a difficult baby. Maybe because I am living with a lot of adults who help out with the kids, laundry, food, etc. Whatever the reason, I am so thankful that things are going as well as they are. I am even more thankful that those first 6 weeks are over.

I feel like the first 6 weeks of a baby's life are an initiation process.

The baby is initiated into "real life" outside of mommy.

Mommy is initiated into another phase of "mommyhood."

Whether it be your first child or your fifth......there will always be some sort of adjustment.

Sometimes I can not believe the personality of my littlest daughter, Eve. Seriously? Babies like this exist? And even more than that.....people out there have babies like Eve for their first child? No fair! If I would have had Eve first, I probably would have had another one right away....I mean even closer than 2.5 years.

But, of course, if she was my first I may not have thought she was so easy. Having had the experience of "The Miriam," I know now what easy is. I also haven't forgotten what hard is. And I am so thankful for both.

God has used both of my experiences to shape me. As a mother, yes, but also as a friend to others going through the new baby initiation.

I have also elected myself the official baby product tester. I am always on the lookout for new baby products (sometimes obsessively so) and feel it is my duty to order them immediately, test them out and recommend them to friends with new babies. Ok....maybe it's not "officially" my duty, but that's definitely what I will continue to tell my husband each time a new package comes in with my name on it.

And I have found a couple of new gems to share with you all soon. Love love LOVE these new baby products. It's amazing the things you find when you are desperate for sleep, desperate for quiet or just plain desperate.

And I have more to share about my sweet new daughter. What a blessing. But, for now, I'll leave with a hearty "Congratulations" to the newest and littlest members of the world.


This little Japanese baby doll, Olivia, was born on April 4th to our "besties," Mike and Kelly.


And there is nothing like an up close and personal shot of new baby rolls to make your uterus skip a bit. Say hello to my newest niece, Aubrey.

Thomas, Kristen, Mike & Kelly....welcome to another round of new baby initiations. You'll be tired, hungry, grouchy and your nipples will burn as if on fire (well, for the gals anyway....that would be a really bizarre sympathy pain). You'll be covered in puke, poop and probably at least 3 days worth of your own filth. It's messy, crazy, loud and exhausting.....

You're gonna love it!