As a first time parent it is easy to get discouraged. There are so many new things that you have to learn all at once and it is easy to get overwhelmed. You have to learn to change a diaper, properly burp the baby, put a onesie on the baby without suffocating it, and feed it all in the first few hours. And while all of those may seem simple… for a first time mom (FTM) it can be a little much (especially if you are on happy drugs after a C-Section).

The first thing that I had to learn was to breastfeed, and that is a story in itself. But the second thing I learned was to change a diaper. I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is no… before my daughter, I don’t think I had ever changed a diaper. Of course I knew the basic concept of how to do it. I had played blindfolded diaper games at baby showers. How hard could it be, right? Famous last words…

Even though I was correct about the concept being simple, I didn’t realize that it takes a ridiculous amount of patience to complete the task. If you didn’t know it already, most babies don’t enjoy diaper changes. I mean why wouldn’t they like their cold bare bottom exposed to the room. I don’t know about your baby, but at my house diaper changes usually consist of my daughter squealing and kicking and of me singing, cooing, and making otherwise embarrassing noises and faces. I have recently found out that if I blow air in my cheeks and slowly let it out, making a fart sound (lady-like.. I know), apparently my daughter votes me entertainer of the year. But seriously you guys… the kicking. Not only does it make it extremely challenging to secure the diaper, but it sends anything in her foot’s path flying across the room. The other day she kicked off the lotion bottle, butt paste, and almost kicked the wipe warmer hard enough to send it to the floor as well. And occasionally if I’m not quick enough, the kicking results in her foot landing smack in the middle of the dirty diaper. She definitely keeps me on my toes to say the least!

For me, the best part of motherhood is watching my little one learn new things. I try to not focus on the hard parts that can be dispiriting. Every time I see her do something new I feel so proud of her. She caught on really fast to the concept of smiling and now when she grins ear to ear, she showcases her cute dimples and it lights up the room. Recently she has become a champ at grasping objects. Even though she isn’t sure how to let it go most of the time, she definitely has a strong grip. She is now working on putting the pacifier back in her mouth when it falls out (Thank goodness!). Now if only she can master that at night so I can stop my dozen walks (who am I kidding… RUNS) back and forth across the house.

Parenthood is going to be full of things that make us proud and things that can quickly discourage us, but I believe that it is important to stay positive and remind ourselves constantly of all the wonderful blessings of parenting.