Initiation into Motherhood

Back when John Mark was a new born, I think I felt fairly motherly, and even though life changed drastically, I could still go out shopping, to eat at restaurants, and to grocery stores with little change than what life was like before. This "carrier" stage was nice because you could tote him anywhere you wanted and he pretty much just slept or sat there peacefully. Now that we are "post-carrier" and he's more mobile, life is pretty different. At the time I'm sure I was thinking, "Gosh, I can't wait until he's out of this carrier so I don't have to lug it around anymore." However, now I'm thinking, "Man, I'd love to have him just sit peacefully in his carrier like he used to." I'm pretty sure we raved about what a good baby he was, but looking back that seems pretty ridiculous: of course he was good when he was confined to his baby seat or couldn't protest about what he couldn't reach, etc.! Need a visual? Here's what I'm talking about!

For me, each stage brings a more "mommy-ish" feeling. Now that we are into real solids (not purees anymore), we are toting around cheerios, veggie straws, and yogurt bites. We also carry around sippy cups, fix juice and use baby gates. The house definitely has a more "a baby lives here" vibe. Parenthood now matches more of the view portrayed on television (think Debra in Everybody Loves Raymond or better yet, Kate in John and Kate Plus Eight - okay, okay, it's not that bad, but you get the idea). Well, apparently Cheerios, juice cups, and baby gates aren't the only signs of motherhood. How about baby vomit all over you in a restaurant? Does it get more "mommy" than that?

Monday night I met Steph at Buffalo Wild Wings with John Mark. He seemed pretty normal and I fed him several snacks to keep him occupied. Towards the end of dinner, he was sitting on my lap and he got sick all over me (thanks for hanging in there, Steph!). Luckily, he was wearing overalls, so they caught a good bit of it. I stayed at home with him on Tuesday as he recovered what we thought was a stomach bug. Long story short, I took him to the doctor today and he has the flu. The crazy thing is that he had his flu shot a week before he caught the flu, but it takes two weeks for the shot to offer protection. The doctor said it was obvious that the shot was working at least some because he has never gotten a fever and he seems to feel okay other than his gastro-intestinal issues. Here he is after we got home from the doctor today. Thank goodness for our Angel Care motion monitor or I would probably think he wasn't breathing! (Don't worry, I moved him once he was fast asleep).

Aside from getting thrown up on multiple times, the laundry has certainly played its role in my initiation (or hazing) into motherhood. I don't think I could've gotten through this ordeal without our "Ulimate Crib Sheet." It attaches to the crib bars and allows you to easily change a dirty sheet without taking off bumpers and having to strip the bed every time they make a mess. The key is having two of them so that you can have one to put on when you take the dirty off. I keep thinking it's my last time to change the sheets for a while, but I've been proved wrong several times already. Thank goodness for these things! If you're a new mom, go out and buy you TWO of these right now! You won't be thankful until the first time your baby is sick, but when that happens you won't be sorry!

Since the beginning of this ordeal, it's undeniable that mommy-hood is taking it's full effect. If you have a young baby, cherish the time where they aren't mobile and nap a lot. I love my baby more than words can say, but nap time gets a close second on days like these!