My New Adventures as a Mom

So I'm a mom. Cra-----zy. For as long as I can remember I've wanted to have children, and now I have a beautiful, healthy baby boy. How incredible! How wonderful!

I can hardly believe it's been a month since Thaddeus Clark Banks entered the world. As I posted on Facebook: the past month seems more like one long day. It's been amazing to experience the miracle of a new life. But it's also been difficult to adjust to life with a newborn. Because I know the next years of his life will fly by, and because I want to reflect/journal about all that I learn from this baby boy, I have decided to blog. I hope to document some of his milestone and shenanigans (there will be shenanigans, you know. how do I know? because he's Brady banks' son after all and life with a banks boy is always filled with shenanigans and fun!). I also want to capture some of my favorite moments with him and as a family. So here goes nothing....

I must start by saying that I am so very thankful for my family. For the past two weeks or so Brady, Thaddeus and I have posted up at my parents' house. They have helped change diapers, feed, and hold baby Thaddeus. And they have taken over during the colicky moments when mommy herself was crying inconsolably. Mom, Dad, Lori and Kenzie-- I love you and am incredibly thankful for you. Now, move closer to Brentwood, will you?

We've done a lot this past month: we've received meals from folks at Belle Meade UMC, we've welcomed visitors into our home to meet Thaddeus, we've taken lots of pictures, including newborn pics by Kim Vetter (pics included in the blog if I can figure it out), celebrated Advent, Christmas and New Years with family, and best of all, we've learned a lot about our new son.

So far, Thaddeus looks a lot like his dad, he eats every two hours, he always poops while he nurses, he loves, loves, loves to be held, and he hates, hates, hates to be in his car seat. Unfortunately, he has had his fair share of colicky times. Thankfully, they don't last for hours but they are quite difficult for mommy and daddy to bear. It breaks my heart to hear him cry on and on while I try everything in my power to make it all better and yet nothing works. The sleep deprivation is hard, but the crying is harder. I'm trusting that this is a phase of his life that will pass. And I'm sure I'll say that way more than once in his lifetime. As for now, I'm trying to enjoy this precious gift of a baby boy and rely upon family and friends when times get tough. I have two more months of maternity leave before going back to work. During these next two months and beyond, I look forward to learning way more about who God created Thaddeus to be and to watching my love for Thaddeus (and God!) grow and grow and grow.