Pretending to be a single mom
My nephew is the cutest thing ever. I know everyone thinks that their child or niece/nephew is the cutest, but Rady really is. I can see my brother in him and I love that.
As cute as he is though, he sure can wear a person out. I am exhausted and I have only had him for a day and a half. And half of that time my parents have been here to help.
I had him alone on Thursday night and Friday until about noon. In that time I grew a new respect for single mothers. How do they ever get to take a shower? How do they know they are doing the right things?
I am seriously questioning my ability to be a mother. I have always wanted children, but now I am asking myself how will I be able to function on such little sleep. Rady only woke up twice in the night, but the rest of them time I only half slept, listening for him. Is he breathing, oh he cried a little, should I get him? Binki or bottle? Warm milk or cool?
Friday morning I realized I could put him in his walker and turn on Sesame Street so I could shower. After getting him ready for the day I headed over to my friend Holly’s house for some support. She has a four-year-old, so she knows what she is doing.
I told her I didn’t think I could be a mom and she said it is different when you have them from the beginning. She told me how she used to worry and fret when her son was a baby.
Rady liked her immediately. She played with him and told me would probably walk soon. Her husband came home and Rady was all smiles for him. Her husband was perfectly at ease with Rady, holding him and making him laugh and smile. I was jealous. Will I ever be that natural with a baby?
By last night I was feeling a little better. I have gotten him to laugh and smile and he even took a few steps. I am still not sure what kind of a mother I will be, but I have a few years to go before I really have to be concerned. I think maybe 30 is a good age to start. Maybe.
Oh Jaime, you crack me up. I love kids and have learned from watching Kobey (Bonnie’s little girl) everyday in highschool and then watching Elaina, that women have natural motherly instincts. I think that some have it more than others and some are just more confident than others only because they have been around babies more. I remember when I was at Wendy’s one day with Elaina and Anna and Elaina started to choke on a french fry. I freaked! While Anna calmly got it from Elaina and it was okay in like two seconds. You will be a great mom. I think that God has women be pregnant so that they have 9 months to get prepared.
Love ya!
Mo
Words by Mo Drake on January 7, 2006 at 4:15 pm | #
speaking as a father, you are never really prepared, but you want them to stay healthy, because they are so much fun!
Words by JP on January 8, 2006 at 5:41 am | #
Somone else said that the 9 months gets you ready.
Words by Jaime on January 8, 2006 at 10:30 am | #
What a great experience for you! Babies are much more fun than “almost teenagers,” but sometimes more work, or maybe just a different kind. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that you would be a loving, devoted, and hard working mom. Whatever you decide to put your mind to, you succeed, if that’s God’s plan. When the time is right, you will already formed a 9 month relationship with your baby. By the time he or she comes into this world, you already know eachother. I’m assuming (because I am not a mother either) that, like your friend said, it’s much different when you yourself carry that child and start from the very beginning. I can’t wait to spoil your kids, as long as they turn out nothing like Glenn =)!
Words by Kristin on January 8, 2006 at 12:36 pm | #
No one knows how to exactly handle their babies, but thats why babies don’t have much of a long term memory until they are about two. That why when you make mistakes when they are tiny they can’t throw it back in your face later, like teenagers. And what’s really scarey is that the easiest time is when they are babies, it’s when they start running around like maniacs that you really get tired.
Words by Luella B. on January 9, 2006 at 2:32 am | #
I think youll be a great mom and kristen is right as long as they don’t turn out like me they should be pretty easy but remeber that you have been cursed with the wish from your mother that you will have kids just like you and i am sure you were no walk in the park so be prepared
Words by Glenn on January 9, 2006 at 3:24 pm | #
Little Glenns, what a nightmare.
Words by Jaime on January 10, 2006 at 2:52 pm | #
Jamie although I think that there are some people that should have their tubes tied at a very early age,(like 10, is that even possible)? I think that you are going to be a good mom when the time comes. Just think of how much you love Rady and multiply that by 100. That does not even come close to how much you will love your own child. Being a mother myself has been the greatest thing in the world. You never know the true meaning of love untill you have your own child. Don’t get me worng there are going to be many times that you are totally fustrated, tired, sick, whatever but you will always find time, love and patience for your child. I think that one of the things that has helped me along my journey of life and making sure that I am on the right track is my child (Gage). Just keep in mind that watching someone elses kid is totally different then having your own. Things will just come natural.
I do have to disagree with one thing though. GAGE is the CUTEST
Amber
Words by Amber Miller on January 11, 2006 at 2:35 pm | #
you were right jamie rady is the cutest. you’ll make a great mother you nag like one already.
Words by mark on January 12, 2006 at 10:56 pm | #