Lesson of the Day: Trust Your Instincts

*VIDEO*

As a new mom, the biggest thing I struggle with is trusting my instincts when it comes to my child. I never considered myself to be a naturally maternal person, which laid the foundation for all these doubts I have about myself as a mother. Don't get me wrong--I know I'm doing a good job with Ford. However, I'm still learning to trust my maternal instincts.

For example, I get paranoid when his teachers mention things to me that they're "worried about." For a while it's been his development because he's not sitting up on his own nor rolling all over the floor like the other babies. They also keep asking me about starting him on solid food. Yesterday, it was a sore on his body that they were concerned about. Now, I love his teachers. They are fantastic. But for a new mom who already doubts herself a lot, these questions can create some paranoia and a little bit of anxiety. So here's what I keep telling myself (or have David reaffirm for me):

1. Ford is FIIIIIINE. Babies do things on their own time, in their own way. He's learning and growing and changing every day. He's fine. Really.
2. Not knowing when to do things or how to do things is what books are for. And doctors. And friends who are nurses at Riley Children's Hospital. And moms. And sisters who have kids. To everyone else -- sorry, I'm not listening to you. The way I raise my child is different from the way anyone else raises their child. And that's okay. Just as Ford does things his own way, I do things my own way. I'm not a perfect mother, but I'm doing things the way I want to do them. And at the end of the day, if Ford isn't eating solids but all his friends are, who cares! I don't want to do it until 6 months because that's my decision. Let's review #1 again: he's FIIIIIINE.
3. There IS such a thing as maternal instinct. I never believed it until I had a baby of my own. The hard part is learning to trust it, but I get better at it each time my initial feeling toward something ends up being right all along. (That "sore" on his body, by the way, is nothing. Just irritation, which is what I thought in the first place. Nothing a little cortizone can't fix--and a reaffirmation from his doctor.)

To summarize: babies are different; I should always go with my gut; and Ford is FIIIIIINE. :)

Does this look like a baby that's NOT fine? I don't think so.

"No stopping me now!"

*VIDEO*

Look who rolled over by himself today :)

5 Months Old

It's so hard to believe Ford is 5 months old today! I know I sound like a broken record, but it's crazy how fast our time with him has flown by.

So happy every day as we load up for school.

He's still doing great in school and seems happy there. He comes home every day just whooped from the day's activities. He does all kinds of things at school: read books, make art projects, play outside. And, of course, have fun with other babies! I like to watch him from the classroom doorway for a minute when I drop him off and pick him up. He's such an observer; just watched the other babies so closely. The teachers say he's so quiet and "chill." And one teacher told both David and I, on separate occasions, that Ford was her favorite. (Do I sound like I'm boasting? Well, I'm a mother. It's what I do now. ha)  ;)

Likes at 5 Months:

• Feet and toes. He's always been fascinated by his hands, but now he's discovered he can grab his feet. I haven't seen him with his feet in his mouth (yet), but I'm sure it's not for lack of trying.

• Big brother Chase. Ford and Chase are pretty inseparable lately. Chase won't admit it, but he's become attached to the little guy. If Ford is on his level, you betcha Chase is right there to check him out, then lie down near him.

• Bedtime stories. Ford LOVES storytime. We've only been doing it at bedtime, but now that he's really become interested in it, we need to do it during the day to break up play time. It's so cute to watch him look at the pictures and touch things on the page.

Dislikes at 5 Months:

• Trying to roll over. We keep trying to get him to roll over, and he's just not having any part of it. He rolls up on his side easily enough, but he hasn't figured out what to do with the arm pinned beneath him. Needless to say, he gets frustrated quickly after he works so hard and just can't get all the way over.

New Discoveries:

• Blowing bubbles. What baby doesn't like blowing bubbles and making funny noises with his mouth?

• Rotating in the exercauser. The middle of the exersaucer spins, so he can play with different toys attached all the way around it. He loves it. He's just starting to figure out how to turn himself. He uses his arms, more so than his legs, to pull him self around. He'll grab onto something beside or slightly behind him and swing around until he gets what he wants.

5 Month Pictures:

There's No Place Like Home

This post is several weeks overdue. Whoops. Time sure flies these days!

Ford and I went to Kentucky in mid-May to see Jamie, Braden, and EmmaJane. This was our first time to meet EmmaJane (7 months old), and Jamie's first time meeting Ford (4 months old). We spent the majority of the weekend in a tornado of kids. Kids, kids everwhere!

EmmaJane is a doll; just a really sweet and smiley baby girl. She and Ford had a good time playing together.

But you know who was even happier than the babies? The grandparents!

When we weren't talking, eating, or entertaining the kids, I was able to capture some cute moments with Ford (usually early in the morning before the whirlwind of activity). Dad got a new camera and I couldn't keep my hands off of it. Here are some of my favorite images.



There's nothing better than having all the family together. It's one of my most favorite things in the whole world. We don't get to do it often enough.