I've learned...

In the past 7 weeks I have learned more than I may have ever learned in all my years of school.  It has been tough and it has been exhausting, but it has been the best time of my life.

I've learned how to take the fastest showers in history.

I've learned how to eat almost anything with one hand while the plate balances on the side of the chair as I am nursing Claire.

I've learned that my husband is an amazing cook-thank you Babe!

I've learned that while there are hundreds of ways to calm a crying baby-sometimes none of them work and that is OKAY.

I've learned that sometimes all I can do is offer my arms as a place for Claire to cry and remind myself that this lets her know that she is loved more than words can say, even if the crying doesn't stop.

I've learned that everyone wants to help by telling you what works to calm a crying baby....and I've learned to say, "Thank You"...even though I have tried them all again, again and again.

I've learned that what works one day or one minute doesn't work the next.

I've learned that some many almost all days I need to surrender my needs and wants and to-do's to follow Claire's schedule and needs...even if it means nursing on and off and letting her fall asleep in my lap for hours on end.

I've learned to grocery shop fast enough to win if that game show still existed that was on when I was a kid!

I've learned to love our quiet moments together in the middle of night when all is still.

I've learned that she truly will grow up faster than we can imagine and that every moment, even the difficult ones are to be cherished.

I've learned to accept that Claire is an intense and passionate baby and I'm learning to love that about her and understand her more with each passing day.

I've learned that there is a book for everything and that parts of them all make sense.  The difficult part is deciding which parts work for Claire, which parts work for me and hoping what works today will work again tomorrow.

I've learned that some people won't understand everything we are going through, but that is okay!  We sure do cherish the quiet and happy times when Claire is not crying...they can be very rare at times!

I've learned that when you have a newborn some days putting on deoderant is equivalent to taking a shower! (you laugh, but it's true!)

I've learned that this opportunity to have this child in our lives is truly a blessing beyond measure.  I pray everyday to God that He will keep Claire safe, keep her strong and keep her healthy.

I've learned my favorite moments in life are when Claire and Kevin are together and I see them sharing moments of joy and happiness as they gaze into each other's eyes!

I've learned a whole new type of love, the love a mother and father share for their child...what an amazing feeling!

I've learned that as many things as there are that I want  to teach Claire, she will probably teach me just as much, if not more!

I've learned that the joys of being a wife and mother are by far the greatest in the world.

I've learned that my cries of frustration and exhaustion have made my love even stronger for my precious baby Claire!

I've learned that words can never describe how grateful we are and how much we LOVE this baby that God gave us!  I can not imagine our life without her!

I love you sooooooooo much Claire!!  You are the best baby in the world!