If I knew then...

I'm lucky enough to be at that age, where my friends keep having babies! Some of my friends are on to kid #2 or kid #3, but a few are waiting on their number one. As a pretty new mom, I'm doing my best to keep my mouth shut and to only weigh in when asked. If you know me in person, you know that this is no less than a monumental task. When the urge to insert myself strikes, I take a step back and remember how much fun it was to figure things out. So whether my friend asks, or we decide to have a number two, I wanted to make sure that I captured just a few things that I wish I would have known when my B was still a bun in the oven, cooking away.

1. Ask your momma friends and really listen. I know that I asked, but I didn't retain or realize how much they could have helped provide support, insight and guidance.
2. Selectively read the Internet. Find what works for you and what speaks to you and do that (within reason, of course). Sometimes it provides the validation that you aren't a crazy person, which is much needed when you are a new mom.
3. Think about phases. When you register, think about what you need now, what you'll need then, and what you'll need later. Prioritizing into those buckets will help make sure that your registry isn't' filled with burp cloths and receiving blankets.
4. Get done what you can get done and cut yourself a break. Do what you can do while you feel good and before you feel huge. So what if your nursery is done before you're even 6 months along? When your ankles are swollen, you'll thank yourself.
5. Download the apps. There are so many that give you lots of tips and information about your body, your baby and your pregnancy. They were a wealth of knowledge and let you digest everything in easy to read nuggets. My favorites: BabyCenter, Pampers Hello Baby, What To Expect Baby, What to Expect Pregnancy, iBreastffeed (from Medela). I loved seeing what he looked like each week and learning about how his little brain and body were developing. The BabyCenter community was great for reading about crazy pregnancy symptoms and feelings.
6. Explore an herbal and holistic approach. This was something that never dawned on me until close to the end of my pregnancy. I happened to walk into Petali teas, a small tea shop in Granville, OH, looking for something delicious and decaf. The tea that was recommended was a French Lemon Cream flavor. The owner informed me that this particular tea has been used by women in South Africa to help prevent colic in babies. When I found that out, I started drinking it daily. B never had colic and I don't know if it can be attributed to the tea, but I can say that someday when I have Baby #2, that tea will be a part of my daily routine. Buy your own here, direct from Petali Teas (they ship direct to you)!!!
7. Keep an open mind. Remember that you can plan everything, down to the delivery and hospital, but that your body and baby are the boss of the moment. Be prepared and brace yourself so that if you are thrown a curve ball, you can adapt.
8. Be in awe. Take a few minutes to think about what is happening to you and realize the gravity of the miracle that you are carrying in your belly. Before, during and shortly after my pregnancy, I took a lot of things for granted. I took for granted the ease in which I was able to become pregnant. I took for granted the lack of "pregnancy symptoms" - meaning - I had a really EASY pregnancy. I took for granted a very easy delivery - so easy that I literally said, as I was being cleaned up that, "it wasn't that bad, I could do that again!" I took for granted my very healthy, happy awesome, baby boy. Not everyone gets to experience the miracle that I got to experience. Not everyone has such an "easy" journey to motherhood.