2.21.2013

humbling

Humbling.

When I was asked last week how I would describe parenting in one word, this was my answer. It came to me in about 3 seconds.

Two years ago I'm pretty sure I would have chosen a different word. You know, two years ago when I thought this gig was easy. Ha!

I was thinking the other day about all my big goals for our precious 2nd child. I really thought I had everything planned out perfectly. Let's take a look at those goals, shall we?

  1. Griffin will sleep in his crib from day 1. FAIL. um, he started in his crib at 4 months and then proceeded to cosleep most of the night with us until 6 1/2 months. 
  2. Griffin will be swaddled. FAIL. Griffin was just like G and did! not! like! having his body constricted. 
  3. Griffin will be breastfed. PASSED! we made it 6 1/2 months--hooray!
  4. I didn't blog this one, but definitely thought it: Griffin will be sleep trained and on a great schedule by 12 weeks. Um. big fat FAIL.  I wrote about Griff's awful sleep habits here.
I literally look at that list above and shake my head with laughter. I can't believe I thought I could plan everything perfectly AND that I could base those plans off my first little boy. Grayson was an easy baby & the whole "new mama" thing came really easily to me. I never had any of those "lock yourself in the closet & cry moments" when he was an only child.  Naturally Stupidly, I thought that adding a new baby into our family would be a piece of cake. I honestly thought it would be as easy as it was the first time. 

Then a big, fat smack of reality came when Griffin was born. It was literally like God was smacking me upside the head saying, "you DON'T have it all together, this WILL be challenging, and you WILL learn from this!"  I was brought back down to earth pretty quickly. 

My baby still doesn't sleep through the night.
My 2 year old can throw an epic tantrum.
I am a frazzled mess most days and am always running late.
My house looks like a tornado hit it. 
There are always piles of laundry sitting in hampers. 
I live in yoga pants and t-shirts.
Dry shampoo has become my favorite product.

 Being a mom has humbled me. There are so many times when I feel inadequate and I just have to trust that the Lord knew what he was doing when he gave these boys to us. 

What's your one word??

4 comments:

Dawn said...

Laura, honey you are not alone! My house is a constant disaster with laundry piled up, toys scattered everywhere, and me feeling like a mess! My first child was sleeping through the night at 8 weeks old-he was a great napper, etc. My newest little one not so much-she goes by her "OWN" schedule! Being a parent is really one of the toughest jobs there is! Of course one of the sweetest too! I have learned soo much about myself in these mommy days! Glad to have friends to experience it with and know that I'm not the only hot mess out there! :)

Mateya said...

This is totally my fear of having a second child. Hayden has been the world's easiest baby and I just KNOW we aren't going to get that lucky twice!

Jen Watts said...

I would say selflessness. Love you momma!

Happiness Is... said...

I would say incompetent. Ha! It's the only thing that I don't think any of us can truly master or always feel great at. Humbling is a good word, too.