Baby on Board

Pre-baby, I used to laugh at those "Baby on Board" stickers that people had on their cars. I had two thoughts: 1. That's tacky and 2. What is the point? Do those people actually think people will avoid accidents with them because they have a baby in the car? That doesn't really sound effective. However, now I know why: it's because people with babies in the car want a slight "pass." For example, if I ever run a yellow light it might be because if I stop at it, John Mark will wake up from his nap or perhaps because he's hungry and he's crying and I really need to get where I'm going in a hurry! I just kind of want people to know I have a baby in the car so that if I do something like sit at a green light too long (maybe I'm searching for the paci to put back in his mouth) or forget my blinker (well I did that before I had a baby, haha), that people will be like, "Oh, it's because she is a mom." I probably shouldn't be running yellow lights or putting pacis back at red lights, but avoiding those things is easier said than done...you never know what you're gonna do until you're in the situation.

Whether it's fair or not, I'd like a "pass" in life, not just the car. I used to never be the kind of person to run late or forget things, but life with a baby is just unpredictable. Also, now that we are finally getting on a schedule, I am very protective of nap time. I used to think that parents who organized their life around their baby were lame, but now I know that the more you are a slave to a baby's schedule, actually the more free life is (i.e. you won't have to run out of a restaurant to feed your screaming baby). I guess what I am getting at is please don't judge parents and please, please don't say "When I have a baby, I will do it different." Yes, you might do things different than other parents, but every parent has to make decisions based on what works for their baby and you cannot possibly predict how you will react to the life changing event of adding a baby into the mix.

I cannot believe John Mark is approaching the 5 month mark. That means it's been almost 5 months since we left for the hospital to meet him. It's been almost 5 months since my belly was big and round and I could feel him kicking in their. Five months before I knew what he would look like. It's just hard to comprehend sometimes. In fact, during his nap time or when I'm watching T.V. after he's gone to bed, I think about how we got here and it's all so surreal. John Mark is such a blessing.

The newborn stage has it's perks (lots of sleeping for baby), but I feel like just now the fun is starting. We are finally parents of a BABY not a newborn. We know more about his personality and he smiles at us when we come into a room (the beginning just isn't near as tangibly rewarding). Now, he likes to play with his exersaucer and he can sometimes hit the button to make it play noise. Just a few nights ago he started splashing in the bath. It's so incredible to look at the world through a child's eyes...the things we take for granted, they look at with wide-eyed wonder that reminds you how remarkable life is. I can't wait to get to know him even better!