Profound parenting revelations: Part I

Just twelve weeks into this parenting thing and I feel like I've learned more than ever. Well, maybe not EVER...but these are the things I've realized thus far (albeit trivial to some, they are profound revelations in my eyes :)

• Each day is a surprise! No matter what took place the day before and although we might think, "Nothing can top that," we quickly realize not so fast! I am constantly learning new things about Jameston, my husband of three plus years, and myself. It is an adventure I would not want to trade for anything else in this world!
• We are now morning people...WAY-early morning people. This was not a difficult transition for me because I have always been of the "early bird catches the worm" mindset, especially in grad school (well, I guess I was a night-owl then, too...maybe my "thrive on five" sleep motto those three years better prepared me for the lack of and interrupted sleep I am getting these days!). And on that same note, we do not mind going to bed now at say 8 or 9 o'clock at night! Gotta catch those Z's when you can and "sleep when the baby sleeps!"
• Bodily functions of the burping and pooping and spitting-up kind are not as repulsive to me as they used to be. AND, I have been known to call or email Brett when our son finally goes #2 after a dry spell! Like I said, revelations :) A separate post on this eye-opener is to come, I promise!
• For those of you who have asked, I am not quite back at my pre-pregnancy weight. I still have about 10 pounds to go, and I DON'T CARE. Like I've heard many women say before, your body is just shaped differently after pregnancy. Mark my words, if I can never fit into those cute jeans again and HAVE to go shopping for an entirely new wardrobe, Jameston is totally worth ever extra pound I hold on to:)
• Oh, and alarm clocks are a thing of the past. So, time and schedules would fall into this category, too. We learned real quickly that Jameston set our schedule and called the shots in the beginning on what would get done that day. I would say that just recently, right before I started back to work, he began getting into somewhat of a routine (what impeccable timing he has, huh?). So, we have more recently been able to go places and plan for things without having that looming question of, "Is he going to get hungry or sleepy or fussy while we are there?" So nice...but I've been told that just when you think you've got your child figured out, they go and change it up on you. So this "routine" we are in may be short-lived!
• Books on child-rearing (and sleep schedules and breastfeeding and so on) are helpful, but they should not be taken as law. Don't get me wrong, I love getting advice (keep it coming!) and talking with fellow mommies and friends/family who have little ones, but I'm not going to beat myself up for things that may be viewed as against the grain. I think as new parents you just need to trust your instincts, not get lost in the literature, and enjoy every minute of it!
• Most importantly (and definitely most sappy), I have discovered an inner strength in my soul and love in my heart that I never knew I had room for. And I think I can speak for Brett on that one, too, although he might consider that a not so macho thing to say :) But it's the truth!
  The joys (and surprises!) of parenting seem to be never-ending, all the while keeping us on our toes, so I'm sure this will be an ongoing post. Please stay tuned...