....so that's what you meant

Ever since Quinn was born I have thought to myself many times "ooooooh, that's what she meant!" For the past 8 years I have seen and admired my 3 sisters and their parenting skills.  I think I planned it all out just right because now that I am just starting to raise my own, I get to learn from all their "mistakes" or benefit from all of the tricks they have learned along the way.  So back to the "oooooh, that's what she meant".. Here are a few things that have stuck out the most in my mind from Beth, Amanda, & Erin.

1.  It makes my day when she/he has a dirty diaper.  Yup, I get it.  It doesn't happen all that often around this house with Quinn, which hopefully that changes soon - but when it does happen?  I'm a happy mama.

2.  The more sleep they get, the more they will sleep.  Of course, I believed them at the time before I had Quinn, but I didn't really understand it.  I definitely do now.  I've been recording the hours Quinn sleeps and times of night she is up, trying to be the master mind behind this child's sleeping schedule (ha, ya right)...but sure enough, my sisters were right.  The more she sleeps, the more she sleeps.  :)

3.  Your life will be put on hold for awhile.  Ok, this is a major one.  I never thought for 29 years that I would be a mom who would forego the concert, the dinner out, the birthday party, or whatever social event was going on...because I thrive on that action.  However, it is no longer a priority and to be very honest, I don't even feel like I'm missing out.  Maybe it's because I know my time will come again - or maybe it's because I am happy with this "new" life and this little peanut.  It's both.  My time will come...and one of these nights Tony and I will get a babysitter and go out on a date!  I'm sure that'll be a blog in itself.

4.  It's hard leaving the kids.  I understood this one 100% just this past weekend.  Saturday Tony stayed home most of the day with Quinn.  Although I was here for her nap times, that's about it.  I went to play tennis, went out for lunch with some girls, and before dinner I went and got a haircut.  Tony was MORE than happy that I got a day to myself, but I couldn't help but to feel guilty.  Without explaining that guilt, I'm sure you (the reader) can understand.  But boy was that day needed and so fun. ;)

5.  Don't spend too much money on the cute clothes.  I don't get it.  Never will.

6.  Just kidding on #5.  What I have learned is that you think your kid is so darn cute - in ANYTHING she/he wears.  :)

7.  Allow Quinn to be flexible with your schedule.  This one I haven't learned yet.  I'm trying though. Once she is on a schedule (which is why now she "should" be flexible with mine, bc her schedule is so unpredictable) I will be so happy to make more appointments, plans, etc.  But during the whole sleep training... it's tough!  But I think of this advice almost daily - and it's helped a lot.

8.  You can't spoil a baby under 4 months.  I took full advantage of this every single day that I could.  Things have changed a little now in this department, but it's been good for both of us :)

I'm sure there are many more - but I will exit this blog post at #8 and with a picture of these 3 sisters doing what they do best.  Beth & Amanda have 3 kids and Erin will have 3 very soon! (due mid January)

Beth 

Amanda

Erin