Things I Know For Sure

Photo credit: Tylene Kilgore Photography

I don’t know much.

Okay – I do know some things…

… at least more than I did those first bleary-eyed, sleep-deprived, snuggle-filled newborn days, full of 2AM Google searches and text messages to more experienced members of the mom tribe (you know, the early days when the inflow of parenting advice seemed like a firehose with no shutoff valve).

Yes, I can confidently say I know more now than I did then.

In fact, the more I learn about this whole parenting thing the more I realize I don’t know. Funny how that works, huh?

I’m sure I’m not unique in that – as with anything, we are all really just learning as we go.

And life has absolutely flown by the last couple years – hurrying past at the speed of light, taking off full steam ahead, with me holding on tight for the adventure-filled ride (while also pleading for it to slow down so I can soak up each moment… or at least take a few more thousand videos and photos to remember it by…).

So I thought I would take a chance to pause and reflect on a few things that I know for sure:

… It’s true what they say – the days are long, but the years (and the months and the weeks) are short – meant to be savored until the very last drop.

… Becoming a parent changes you forever – you’re the same “you” in many ways, but now with priorities rearranged like a playlist on shuffle, heart many times bigger, and a newly awakened inner Mama Bear.

… Seeing your little one running (or walking or crawling or rolling) to you, arms outstretched for a hug, is the sweetest sight and easily the highlight of your day.

… The days of thinking you have an immune system made of steel are long gone, catching all the sniffles and mystery bugs your little one picks up. That said, you won’t even flinch when your little one (who is – once again – under the weather) comes running toward you, leaping into your safe arms, nose running, mouth wide open, leaning in to give you a big ol’ wet kiss, because it means they’re feeling at least a bit better from the bug of the month (or – let’s be honest – of the week if they recently started daycare…).

… Hearing your little one say “Mama,” or “Love you,” (or pretty much anything) in their sweet little voice is truly music to your ears. And you confess you replay videos of them over and over and over again just to hear them, which leaves you beaming with joy, while also feeling sad they’re growing up so quickly, astonished how much they’ve grown from the baby in the video… (though it was taken only weeks ago).

… Never underestimate the miraculous power of prayer (and sleep schedules).

… You’ll do nearly anything (including doing headstands, playing peekaboo for what seems like hours on end, and making goofy faces and voices) to make your little one laugh, because it’s the sweetest sound you’ve ever heard.

… There is nothing more calming than feeling the beat of your little one’s heart against your chest, arms wrapped around you, and their soft breath in your face as you snuggle chest to chest.

… You will no doubt wonder what you once did with all the free time you didn’t even know you had before your little one made their world debut. And you will also never be more intentional and efficient with your time as you are now – balancing sleep and feeding schedules, drop-offs and pickups, work demands, and (most importantly) cuddle time with your little one.

… And, finally, I know for sure that no one knows your little one quite like you, Mama – so snuggle them close, protect them fiercely, and love them dearly.