1. My mom always says (and still does), "Babies are always growing something." It took all of 24 hours for Bria to grow her first "something" on her newborn baby face! Of course, when the pediatrician visited the next day, I wasted no time asking him about it. He simply replied that it's normal and "her face will clear up just in time for newborn pictures." How did he know that had been my real intention in asking?
2. Lori Fischer, a Mom of a dear friend from high school told me to "Put blinders on" and it transformed my...everything! Bria's birthday brought with it so many concerns: Should I wear Bria all day or let her cry it out on the floor? Oh shoot, I forgot her socks! I'm sure to be judged, now! People have huge reactions when she pukes...is it excessive?? Should I call the doctor? I allowed myself to spiral and become consumed....then I realized, I often cared more about what others perceived rather than what I knew to be true about my daughter and her needs. Blinders = freedom. I was a new woman....I could finally do what I thought was best for me and Bria!
3. While stuck in indecisiveness about whether to camp with Bria yet or not, a pregnant friend, Natalie, grounded me by saying, "There will always be moms who do more with their baby than I will. And there will always be moms who do less. I'm just going to do what's comfortable for me." I am Bria's advocate. 'Nuff said.
4. Finally, because our mothers are usually the ones who impact us the most, the last piece of advice is again, from my mom. No matter how frazzled I am--on the phone or in person--she always calmly says, "You know what you're doing...Trust your instincts." I realize that God gave me Bria as a gift, and I can't just wing it. I must be intentional in how I raise her, but there is truth behind this statement. God gives me intuitions, feelings, and emotions. Pair those innate attributes with a healthy dose of knowledge and wisdom, take a deep breath, and go with the flow.
I'm eternally grateful for these and many other pieces of advice I've received. But, it is to God that I am the most indebted. For He reminds me that "whatever I do, do all to the Glory of God." That's why I'm a mom. To show the weight of God's worth!
Well, we did go camping! And it turned out to be just what God wanted for our family! More on that, later.
