Top 10...

Things I've learned in my first 2 months of mommy-hood (in no particular order):

1. It is truly wonderful to know there are people who love your baby almost as much as you do.

2. The principle (myth, is more like it) that babies sleep A LOT does not apply to all babies.

Don't be fooled by all the pictures of me sleeping... :)

3. You will never second guess yourself more than when you become a parent...or maybe that's just me.

4. No method/strategy is going to work perfectly for every child all the time...though it may feel like it works like a charm for every child but yours.

5. Paying for a professional newborn photo session is totally worth it.

6. Having a baby makes you appreciate and love your spouse more than you ever have.

7. You really don't need that much sleep to function...but you'll do just about anything to get it.

8.  Seeing your baby smile at you for the first time is indescribably exciting...and it never gets old.  Ever.

This is as close as I've come to capturing one of his beautiful, gummy smiles on camera.

9. It's okay if the house isn't sparklingly clean, the laundry doesn't get put away immediately, and the dishes sit in the sink a little longer than usual.  Being a mom is definitely a full time job, and everyday tasks tend to fall by the wayside...especially when you have a baby who isn't all that into napping :)

10. It does not mean you're a bad mother if you sometimes long for the way things were...or at times feel overwhelmed, lost, and helpless.  I really struggled with guilt over having these feelings.  While I had always imagined how wonderful motherhood can be, I was not at all prepared for how hard it is.  The sleep deprivation, hormones, and total life change create a perfect storm for doubts, fears, and anxieties.  It's hard to reconcile the incredible love you have for your child with the occasional longing for the days before he was born...the days when you could sleep through the night without interruption, go on a date with your husband spontaneously, make plans without having to think about feedings, and all you had was yourself to take care of.  I am so thankful for Evan and his presence in our lives, but things are definitely a lot more complicated now.  That isn't a bad thing, just different...and different takes some getting used to.  It isn't easy caring for a baby 24/7, but the most worthwhile things in life never are.  And Evan is definitely worthwhile.  His smiles, giggles, and coos brighten my day, and I can't imagine life without him.