25 things I learned in my first (almost) two years as a mom

25 Things I've Learned As a Mom

• If breastfeeding doesn’t work for you, that’s okay. What’s most important is that you and your baby are healthy and happy.
• It’s easy to lose yourself in motherhood. Find something that you can do just for you, to keep sight of yourself.
• If you find a friend whose baby naps at the same time as your baby, hang on tight. Those are worth their weight in gold.
• Costco diapers are my favorite for day time, they’re good quality and inexpensive. For night time, I prefer Honest Diapers. They’re the best I’ve found for keeping baby dry.
• Between diapers and formula, a Costco membership will save you so much money!
• It’s hard balancing motherhood and being a good wife. It’s important to continue to date your spouse and find time to focus on each other.
• Don’t be afraid to seek help for postpartum depression/anxiety. It’s important that you’re healthy and happy so your baby can be healthy and happy. If you do seek help, make sure you find someone you’re comfortable with, who really gets to know you and your needs before prescribing anything.
• If your kid likes Soothie pacifiers, get a Wubbanub. They’re much easier to keep track of and you won’t lose them as often.

Eli and I at the splash pad. Summer 2017.

Mother's Day 2018

• Do your research on Wonder Weeks. It will explain so much about your child’s mood swings.
• Every mom does things a little differently. What’s important is that different doesn’t mean wrong!
• Enjoy the short amount of time you have while your baby is immobile. Once they start crawling, walking, and running, they become a tornado of destruction.
• Don’t underestimate the power of getting ready and putting on some makeup. It’ll make you feel more like yourself and put you in a better mood.
• The Mother Goose Club is great and your kid will love it. But be prepared for many sleepless nights because you have obnoxious songs about dinosaurs or rainbows stuck in your head.
• Fruit pouches are the best! An easy snack and my kid is obsessed. Target’s Up&Up brand is the cheapest. 88 cents a pouch.
• To elongate your shopping trips, make sure to bring lots of snacks for your kiddo.
• Cutting your kids hair will make them look approximately 10 years older. Consider yourself warned.

Zoo trip! May 2018.

October 2016.

• Find a good brand of dry shampoo and rock the messy bun. My favorite is Dry Bar.
• Invest in a Zoo Pass, a membership to the children’s museum, or something of that nature. It’s a great way to get out of the house. Eli and I go to the zoo a couple times a week.
• Take all the pictures, even if you don’t look “presentable.” Babies grow so fast and each moment is so special.
• When grocery shopping with kid, park as close as possible to the cart return. You can easily buckle your kid in, put groceries in the car and quickly put away the cart without worrying about your kid.
• There’s an app called Baby Bubbles. It’s ad free and just plays music while your kid can pop bubbles on your phone. It’s AMAZING for keeping your kid occupied during long car rides or plane rides.
• Don’t get too attached to your food or beverages. What’s your’s is also your kid’s.
• High waisted pants are your friend. They hold in mommy tummy.
• Find a group of fellow mommas who support you fiercely and encourage you. Mom life is hard enough as it is, going it alone is never fun.
• Don’t take yourself too seriously. We’re all figuring this mom thing out as we go.