Things I want to say...

These 6 months have quite literally flown by. I'm scared not to put my thoughts into words because I don't want to forget these feelings. So to my new mamas or to the mamas that are yet to be or to the women who aren't mamas but are aunts, friends, cousins... Here is my tiny bit of "I know you won't listen to me" advice...

#1. Don't take advantage of the time you have with your significant other. Babies are hard. Babies take time... All of it. And you give it to them because they are awesome and you know that your husband or your person won't really mind... But the quality time you have with them before baby arrives is precious. Remember that. 

#2. Opposite of what this blog is about, don't worry about what Google, or your best friend, or the blog you follow says. Babies do not come with a handbook. GOOGLE IS NOT A HANDBOOK. You figure it out because God made you and He wouldn't let you just struggle for the fun of it. Babies are hard. They can't speak. I try to tell Mollie all of the time to "use her words" and I'm not sure why but she doesn't listen to me. She just grunts. Which means she's tired. No one else would know that. But you would if you were her mom. Because that's your job.  Instructionless.

#3. Pray. Like I said in a previous blog, praying is a hard task for me. But it is the only thing that will help you. Think of it like this... God is your owner's manual for the baby. Visit the FAQ often. It's okay, I promise. 

#4. Now that baby is around, take time for you and your significant other. It may not be a lot of time. In fact it may just be after the angel goes to sleep. But take time to laugh. Or to plan. Or to nap. It doesn't matter...just take the time.

#5. Enjoy every freakin' second. There are mamas out there who aren't mamas and not by choice. Don't take advantage of your miracle. Don't wish away your time. All of the stages are not easy. No one said they would be. The 4 month sleep regression is real. Don't freak out. It will pass. Just like all of the other struggles for the next 80 years. And when it does, your baby will be sitting up. And that's awesome. And sad. Because you love that they are doing these awesome things and turning into a little person, but at the same time, you want them to stay little. That won't change. 

#6. Say thank you...To God, to your family for their help, to your friends for their prayers, and to your kid for being friggin' awesome. 

It goes by too fast. This is the reason people miss the baby stage. You go through some sort of mom coma and forget any worry you ever had. You want more love. You want to give more love. And that makes you a hell of a mom. 

Kudos mama, friend, aunt... You rock. You are what makes the world go 'round. 

Well, you and that sweet baby. 

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
—Proverbs 31:25