5 Ways to Savor the Newborn Stage

Those bright, clear eyes.  The itty bitty nose, chest rising and falling with the sound of his breaths.  The hair that isn't quite there yet, or that head covered with bold, soft strands.  The delicate skin, the distinct, sweet smell only she has.

Oh the newborn stage.  No doubt it's a full-on contradiction, wanting to soak it all in and never let go yet wishing little bits away as the messes increase and the schedule disappears.

You've heard older moms say it: "You'll miss those days!"  And you will, at least in part if not wholly.  How can you savor it -- while managing it -- before it all disappears?

1.  Sleep.  You've probably also heard this from other moms; the housework can wait.  Those things will still be there!  And mama, it's true.  Find ways to get some more sleep, even if it's a power nap here and there.  Plowing through leaves you in disarray, mentally exhausted (not to mention physically).  Get some sleep so you actually can enjoy that little bundle, and be present for your husband and other children.

2.  Don't plan anything extra.  For a little while, don't schedule x, y, and z.  It's okay to slow down, to take it all in.  Don't be fooled into thinking you need to do it all and keep up with so and so and be right back to life as it was last month.  Allow yourself to adjust to the newness, and if you have other children -- allow them time to adjust as well.  A new life is no small thing.

3.  Stare.  Really, stare at your little one(s).  Watch them.  Memorize them.  Let yourself be in awe of their tiny features, and how they were literally put together in your womb.  A miracle!

4.  Take photos.  Yes, snap them.  All the faces, all the poses, all the stretches.  You'll want to see them all over again later!  And then -- put the phone in the other room and enjoy those faces and movements without the mental clutter and distraction. 

5.  Breathe deep.  Inhale, exhale.  Inhale, exhale.  Physically, this slows you down and gives you a pause.  A little reset.  But while you breathe those deep breaths, take in that newborn smell.  Ahhhh.

Babies don't keep.  Give yourself permission to take it all in and deeply enjoy that beautiful gift from God.

Written by Amy Parsons

Everlasting Strength

I'm a planner. I like to know what's coming and when, so I can prepare myself as much as possible.

It worked out, sort of, with my first son, as he was a c-section. It was a last-minute breach that meant I had to throw out my vision for how the birth would go; but it was quick and simple and there he was.

Almost two weeks ago I started pre-labor with my second son, and just when I thought the contractions would warrant a hospital trip they stopped and everything was calm. Day after day after day for a week until finally the pain was so bad I determined to go in and stay till the baby came. He came 8 hours later.

I had texted a friend -- got any Scripture you clung to during your deliveries? She sent back a few, including the one that I latched on to:

"You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Trust in the Lord forever,
For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength."
Isaiah 26:3-4

I focused on it; perfect peace, He'd keep me in perfect peace as I trusted Him with all the unknowns. There were so many unknowns.

Our littlest arrived and I thought about the verse again, thankful for the promise of peace.

The days kept coming and going afterward in a blur; I'm still not sure what day today is. Somewhere between chasing an almost-2-year old and power napping through the night with an infant my Bible sat on top of our hutch untouched. I longed to read it but hadn't caught my breath long enough to do so.

All I wanted last night was to climb into bed once the baby was asleep and pass out myself. But wouldn't you know, he wasn't really asleep so up we were to feed again.

I wanted to cry. Overwhelmed and exhausted and trapped being the only one to meet all the needs. I grabbed my Bible anyways and opened it up, right back to Isaiah. This time something else hit me:

"For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength."

If there's anyone who needs everlasting strength, it's a mom. I need it. And there's only one source for that strength -- our Lord. He alone can provide it, and if we trust in Him to do so He will.

It doesn't mean the needs disappear or even minimize; it doesn't mean we get full nights of sleep or clarity to cook nice meals or time during the day to get all the chores done.

But it does mean that we look back and see that we made it through. We had what we needed when we needed it, and we can trust that record for the moments and days to come.

Take a breath, mamas. Trust in the One who can give you everlasting strength.

Written by Amy Parsons

Embracing Dependence

It's daunting, being a mother. I think back to the first night in the hospital, after the frightening and traumatic birth; the moment I realized just how much he needed me.

I can't remember what hour of the night it was. I was mid-much-needed sleep and he was across from the foot of my bed in the little bassinet.  My husband was on the other side of the room, sound asleep on the couch.  The newborn screams woke me instantly and I panicked -- I couldn't get to him.

My body couldn't move; every ounce of willpower doesn't move abs that have been cut open.  I could start to wiggle my toes but my legs certainly weren't going anywhere.  The anesthesia had yet to wear off.  I called for Josh.  He didn't budge.  I called louder.  Still nothing.  I yelled -- no movement.  After a few minutes of me trying to yell [and throw pillows] at my husband in between screams from my newborn, I let the tears loose and frantically searched for the button on my bed to call a nurse.  A nurse came, rolled the bassinet next to me, and helped me get my boy.

I can't say I remember anything else about that night, only that panicked scene and coming to the realization that my baby was fully dependent on me.  No one else was going to satisfy him.  No one else could satisfy him.  It was all on me.

That realization still hits me hard some days.  There are things his daddy can do too, and he needs Josh just as much as he needs me.  Yet there are things Josh simply can't do.

Some nights as I sit in the dark rocking my little one I think of the dependence he has on me and how sweet and special it is, how God saw fit to design moms and babies this way.  The baby grows inside and is nourished and strengthened by the mom - everything Mom takes in goes to Baby too.  This provision is carried on longer than nine months; after Baby is born, Mom still provides the food.  Baby is still dependent.  It's a weight, a big burden to carry.  A stress if I let it be.  And really, terrifying.  But how precious at the same time; how incredible and what an honor.

(Please note, I understand not every mama-baby duo (or trio, etc.) functions this way - and that's okay.  This is simply an illustration. ;))

This dependency is so strong and intense.  It's a daunting honor to be entrusted with the life and well-being of a little human.  To have what my baby needs when he needs it.  I sit and watch him and wonder how the rest of his life will play out -- if only I could always meet his needs so simply.

If only his cries could be satisfied with food or sleep; his diaper changed and body bathed and he'd be happy.  If his problems consisted of things I could diagnose and fix.  But it won't always be this way.  There will be situations I can't intrude on and problems I can't fix.  There will be ups and downs and times of happiness and of sadness.  His dependence will not always be on me, nor on his dad.

Little by little he'll grow and mature, taking on responsibilities and becoming more and more independent.  It's a good thing; it's supposed to happen this way.  Josh and I get to lead him and train him and let him go out from under our authority and guardianship.  We'll always be his supporters, encouragers, and advice-givers -- but the roles will change.

So for now, I want to embrace the dependence.  Even when the nights are long and my body is sore and tired.  The times I cry and wish someone else could just please do it for me.  The countless diapers, the painful screams, the demands I wish could wait five more minutes.  I want to embrace it all.

I want to be thankful that I get to be his mama, thankful that God equipped me to care for him even when I'm concerned I can't.  To recognize the beauty in the simple things and not take them for granted.  Each day with my little boy is a gift I want to be grateful for.  God provides for both of us without fail.  He gave us each other, and He's always faithful to sustain us.

*  *  *

"The mother-child relationship is paradoxical and, in a sense, tragic.  It requires the most intense love on the mother's side, yet this very love must help the child grow away from the mother, and to become fully independent."

-Erich Fromm

Written by Amy Parsons.