I wrote this post a couple weeks ago, but never shared it. The part at the end was written today though. Enjoy!
Yesterday (July 13, 2013) was the perfect day. We had a slow morning playing with Adaline in our bed and eating breakfast together until Adaline was ready for her morning nap. I love how interactive Adaline is these days and I love watching Andrew play with her.Then Andrew and I got to actually spend some together and get ready for the day. Andrew mowed the lawn while Adaline and I hung out with Gram. Then we had lunch and went to Costco to get gelato in celebration of me passing the praxis. We walked around for a while just looking at things and somehow managed not to buy anything. What?! It was nice because Adaline just chilled in her car seat and Andrew and I got to talk. When went back home and Adaline rolled from her back to her stomach for the first time which was super fun to watch (and I'm glad Andrew got to see it too). After dinner we went on a walk to the duck pond and back while Adaline slept. We gave Adaline a bath (we like giving her baths because she likes it and she's so cute afterward when she's all wet), sang her songs, and she fell asleep just before 8. Then Andrew and I got to talk about our budget, get ready for bed, and watch Psych before we fell asleep just after 10.
Yesterday (July 13, 2013) was the perfect day. We had a slow morning playing with Adaline in our bed and eating breakfast together until Adaline was ready for her morning nap. I love how interactive Adaline is these days and I love watching Andrew play with her.Then Andrew and I got to actually spend some together and get ready for the day. Andrew mowed the lawn while Adaline and I hung out with Gram. Then we had lunch and went to Costco to get gelato in celebration of me passing the praxis. We walked around for a while just looking at things and somehow managed not to buy anything. What?! It was nice because Adaline just chilled in her car seat and Andrew and I got to talk. When went back home and Adaline rolled from her back to her stomach for the first time which was super fun to watch (and I'm glad Andrew got to see it too). After dinner we went on a walk to the duck pond and back while Adaline slept. We gave Adaline a bath (we like giving her baths because she likes it and she's so cute afterward when she's all wet), sang her songs, and she fell asleep just before 8. Then Andrew and I got to talk about our budget, get ready for bed, and watch Psych before we fell asleep just after 10.
I know it doesn't sound spectacular, but it just felt so normal. Sure Adaline had to have 3 outfit changes (one while at Costco) and she had trouble falling asleep a couple times, but we also got to enjoy her. It's so fun to interact with her. The other, bigger factor in yesterday being so awesome was how much time I got to see and talk to Andrew. On week days, Andrew gets home pretty late, and even when he is home one of us is usually helping Adaline. It was so wonderful to really get to SEE him yesterday. I love my family. I am so lucky to have them.
I want to document an experience that I had/am currently having. Adaline used to be a really great sleeper. Like way above average, 10 hours straight a night every night kind of sleeper. She also used to fall asleep quickly and easily at nap time, and take decently lengthy naps. Ever since we got back from vacation, her world has been turned upside-down, and it's only gotten worse. The other night I think I was up about 5 times with her during the night. She would NOT fall asleep for her naps, and was getting into the over-tired stage way too often. I cried a few times, she cried a lot, we were just barely hanging in there. While this was going on and I was thinking how I didn't understand how anyone has ever been able to take care of babies and keep them alive and happy, I kept getting little reminders that I'm not meant to do this alone. I read an article written by a mom of 5 who pointed out that being a mom only got better because she realized more and more that she physically cannot do it alone, but that she really needed the Lord's help. I texted my mom about what a hard time I was having and how I couldn't believe she managed to raise all my siblings and me. One thing she said in response was, "Well I didn't do it alone." So I committed to stop trying to do it alone. Andrew and I read from the scriptures and pray together every night. But I'm determined to draw closer to the Lord individually as well. Today has been a blessing of a response. Adaline as gone to sleep easier all day, but more than anything I feel comforted. I know I'm not alone in this. Adaline is Heavenly Father's daughter, and he loves her even more than I do. He wants what's best for her and wants to help me give that to her.
I just didn't realize how badly I needed the Lord's help until recently. Everyone around me seems like the perfect mom without even trying. As women and mothers, we so often want to do everything on our own and to hide our shortcomings. Have you heard of pinterest??? We want to do everything and do it the best and be perfect. We want this so badly, that we try to make it look like that's what we're doing. I know I like to talk about the positive and all of the areas where Adaline is really really awesome, and while it's great to focus on the positive, I think we moms could help each other out. I think I could do a better job of talking about the good with the bad. About how I lied next to Adaline's crib and we both just cried for 10 minutes because she was so overtired, but that this morning we sang and danced to Michael Buble and she kept flashing me that amazing smile of hers. Or about the many nights that I put her to sleep, only to have her wake up every 10 minutes, but then when she does get up in the morning how excited she is to see and play with me and Andrew and she smiles and squeals all morning.
We weren't meant to live this life alone. If that's what you're trying to do, you're doing it wrong and missing out on so many blessings. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and wants to be a part of my life. He wants to bless me and make things easier while also helping me to grow and become better. I need Him. It's the perfect day to stop trying to live this life without His help.
I want to document an experience that I had/am currently having. Adaline used to be a really great sleeper. Like way above average, 10 hours straight a night every night kind of sleeper. She also used to fall asleep quickly and easily at nap time, and take decently lengthy naps. Ever since we got back from vacation, her world has been turned upside-down, and it's only gotten worse. The other night I think I was up about 5 times with her during the night. She would NOT fall asleep for her naps, and was getting into the over-tired stage way too often. I cried a few times, she cried a lot, we were just barely hanging in there. While this was going on and I was thinking how I didn't understand how anyone has ever been able to take care of babies and keep them alive and happy, I kept getting little reminders that I'm not meant to do this alone. I read an article written by a mom of 5 who pointed out that being a mom only got better because she realized more and more that she physically cannot do it alone, but that she really needed the Lord's help. I texted my mom about what a hard time I was having and how I couldn't believe she managed to raise all my siblings and me. One thing she said in response was, "Well I didn't do it alone." So I committed to stop trying to do it alone. Andrew and I read from the scriptures and pray together every night. But I'm determined to draw closer to the Lord individually as well. Today has been a blessing of a response. Adaline as gone to sleep easier all day, but more than anything I feel comforted. I know I'm not alone in this. Adaline is Heavenly Father's daughter, and he loves her even more than I do. He wants what's best for her and wants to help me give that to her.
I just didn't realize how badly I needed the Lord's help until recently. Everyone around me seems like the perfect mom without even trying. As women and mothers, we so often want to do everything on our own and to hide our shortcomings. Have you heard of pinterest??? We want to do everything and do it the best and be perfect. We want this so badly, that we try to make it look like that's what we're doing. I know I like to talk about the positive and all of the areas where Adaline is really really awesome, and while it's great to focus on the positive, I think we moms could help each other out. I think I could do a better job of talking about the good with the bad. About how I lied next to Adaline's crib and we both just cried for 10 minutes because she was so overtired, but that this morning we sang and danced to Michael Buble and she kept flashing me that amazing smile of hers. Or about the many nights that I put her to sleep, only to have her wake up every 10 minutes, but then when she does get up in the morning how excited she is to see and play with me and Andrew and she smiles and squeals all morning.
We weren't meant to live this life alone. If that's what you're trying to do, you're doing it wrong and missing out on so many blessings. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and wants to be a part of my life. He wants to bless me and make things easier while also helping me to grow and become better. I need Him. It's the perfect day to stop trying to live this life without His help.
I love this post! You're amazing, Sarah.
ReplyDeleteThank you Katie!
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