TMI

Sometimes I think I borrow trouble...in fact, I know I do.

I've mentioned before that I'm a big proponent of swaddling. It helps Toph sleep so well and he seems to really love it too. He's slept through the night consistently the past three weeks and I owe it to the Miracle Blanket. When I put him in a swaddle blanket for naptime or bedtime, he giggles and smiles really big. He knows he's about to go to "seepies" and he likes it.

However, I read somewhere that babies shouldn't be swaddled too much because it hinders their development. I hadn't heard or read that before, so being the investigative person I am, I started searching the internets for more. These were the thoughts that were going through my head:
Am I hurting my baby?
Will he never learn to grab because of swaddling?
What if he never develops hand-eye coordination because of me and my poor parenting skills?
Am I the worst mother ever?
There is TOO much info on the web about all things new baby and parenting. There are so many conflicting views and opinions and it makes my head spin and it makes me fret unnecessarily.

So, after spending a whole lot of time on the net trying to figure out if I'm damaging my child, I'm back at square one. It got me to thinking; I am his mother. I am doing what I believe what is best for him. When he sleeps, he is happier when he is awake. He doesn't fuss as much, he is alert and is a whole lot of fun. When hubs and I have tried to put him down for naps unswaddled in an attempt to wean him from swaddling; he has been a big, cranky baby whose life mission is to fuss at us something fierce. His arms flail and within minutes, he's up again, but this time, crying the goat cry. From now on, if I am concerned about hindering my child's development, I will contact his pedi, who is endorsed by the AAP and knows a thing or two about child development.

What I've learned is that one worry will lead to another and sometimes, even a good thing can lead to worries. For example, he's sleeping through the night...yay! But now, I'm afraid to let myself sleep through the night because of my milk supply. Oh, my milk supply will diminish and Toph will not get the nourishment he needs.Oh, maybe I should wake Toph up to eat and that way I can change him.

I mean, last night my little angel slept from 8pm to 6:30am and I was so thrilled...until I changed his diaper and saw that his normally clear urine was yellow. Oh no, he's dehydrated and it's all my fault! I need to start waking him to eat.

I love my little guy and only want the absolute best for him, but surely that doesn't mean fretting over every little thing and spending his naptime on the internet researching bogus parenting advice, right?

If any of you have experienced something similar, please let me know...I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at all the information that's out there...do you feel the same?

Learning From the Best

While research says that motherhood comes naturally and instinctively to many women, I believe that a lot of being a mama is learned. A mother learns first and foremost from her mother, and then from the mothers who surround her.

I'm one lucky mama; I've got several mamas in my life that I have learned from.

First of all, my own mother.

I don't know where to start with how much I have learned from her. She has taught me to bask in the joy of being a mother and all that comes with it. She taught me to enjoy every minute of every day with my son, no matter what it brings. She taught me to laugh at my boy and to remember that every day he changes just a little bit. Thank God for her.

My husband's mother.

She taught me that a mama's relationship with her boy is so incredibly special, and that no matter how old he gets, he will still be that little baby you bring home from the hospital. I'm so lucky to have her in my life.

My husband's stepmother. She taught me that the relationship with her children can be one where laughter is plentiful. I love watching her with her kids; they laugh and truly enjoy each other.

My friend Kim. She showed me what strength looks like with her boy.

My friend Tara. She showed me what courage looks like, even when you are scared and weak. She taught me to film the first time my baby eats chocolate pudding and to rejoice in the small things like opening a trash bag.

My friend Jess. She taught me to take pictures without ceasing and to revel in the beauty of baby boys.

My friend Leslie. She taught me that you become a mother the moment you set eyes on your baby, no matter where in the world he is.

My friend Cecilia. She taught me that showing your children the world can be fun, exciting and enriching.

Thank you mama friends. Your wisdom and guidance (albeit unknown) has taught me so much.

Happy Mother's Day!