Mommy Monday!

One of my favorite bloggers, Emily, recently asked me to take a challenge.  She also updated my blog page and created me a new banner!  She is the best!  Back to the challenge.  I have been so busy with my newborn that I have not made time to blog.  Actually, the lack of blogging began before her arrival. I was so sick for nine months that I did not want to do anything, including watch t.v.  I wanted NO stimulation!  In some ways the lack of motivation has hung around.  All my energy is channelled towards nursing, pacifying a crying baby, playing with a happy baby, and when she is sleeping I want to rest or I need to clean.  We also like to get out of the house, even if it is down the road to Nanny's or Nana's house.  Anyway, the challenge was to blog about some of my struggles as a new mommy.  I MAY try to post on my blog each Monday about new challenges I have faced or exciting adventures.  I don't really know how to do link ups, but if there is anyone out there who reads my blog and would like to link up I will figure it out!  READY. SET. GO!!!!

Challenge number one:  The constant nursing!  Landry has ALWAYS had a big appetite!  She is the baby who nurses every two hours!  I thought I was about to get a break, but this week she wants to nurse constantly!  If her eyes are open then she wants the boob! We are just starting baby food so maybe I will catch a break.  I do fear that she will wean herself if I feed her baby food too often.  Sometimes she wants to nurse, because she uses me as a pacifier.  Nine times out of ten I give in!  I can only handle so much crying!  It took me over four months to let her cry it out and to be honest, I am still not great at letting her do that!

Challenge number two: The sometimes constant crying! I say sometimes, because we do have days that she only cries when she is hungry or sleepy.  The child fights her sleep so much in the day time.  I am also okay with the lack of naps, because (knock on wood) she sleeps like a champ at night!  She LOVES to be entertained and is always trying to figure things out!  Although she is extremely fussy, I would not trade her for any other baby.  She is exactly what Alan and I needed!  God always gives us what we need!  She is also  FUN and at times, is a little comedian!

Challenge number three: FEAR and GUILT!  Since becoming a mommy, fears have increased, as has the mommy guilt!  When people make suggestions, I take it as I am doing something wrong.  There have been many suggestions made, so it seems like I am doing a lot of things wrong!  I am beginning to realize these emotions are coming from my flesh and satan.  I have been reading a wonderful book called, "The Bondage Breaker."  It is revealing truths about God and who I am in Christ.  It has nothing to do with motherhood, but has everything to do with truth! Satan really wants to get us down.  He does not want us to feel worthy and would love nothing more than to use our children to paralyze us with FEAR and GUILT.  If we are consumed with worry, we will not be as effective in worshiping our Heavenly Father and accomplishing His will.

  Mom! This is YUCKY!!! Maybe I am too young for this stuff!  

Father,
I want to thank you for giving us Landry.  Thank you for using each moment in her life to teach me more about you and your goodness!  I am learning patience, which I never had before her.  Some days I want to crawl in a hole and not come out for an hour or more, but you always give me strength to make it through the day!  Thank you for ALL of Landry!
In Jesus name, Amen!