... Learning

It's been an exciting season of our lives over the past year as we have watched other friends and family members announce the coming arrivals of more babies. I know that this next generation is already being labeled as "Covid Babies", but whether or not they were conceived because of a global pandemic or not, I see them as a beacon of hope.

The anticipation of their arrivals has got my mind daydreaming what it would be like to have a second child. For those of you who have read since the beginning, I'm sure you remember that this thought seemed like a nightmare to me only a short year ago. Yet, despite all we've been through so far, BabyK has not scared us away from more little niños (or niñas). So in entertaining the thought I figured I should debrief myself (and anyone interested) what I would do again, and what I might change from the fist time around.

Do Again:

• MIDWIVES: We were so blessed to have such amazing ladies on our team. From the start to finish, I can't imagine not having them be a part of our journey.

• CLOTH DIAPERS: I was terrified at first to start. What new mother wants to add more things to their plate when barely surviving? I'm thankful we took some time at the beginning to get settled, and then start into our routine. Although we still use disposables for nighttime sleeps and day trips, every cloth diaper used is one saved from the landfill and another $0.19 to $0.34 back in our wallet. I know it's not for everyone, but I've learned it works for us.

• SLEEP TRAINING: I get it's hard and no one enjoys getting there, but having a baby that can self-sooth is a dream come true. We were fortunate that the first method we tried seem to click for BabyK. It wasn't 100% effective, and there are always regressions, but I am so thankful for the difference it made for us.

• ICE CUBE TRAYS AND IMMERSIAN BLENDER: I know there are plenty of amazing baby food tools and appliances, but for us in our tiny kitchen and minimalist tendencies, the lidded ice cube trays and the immersion blender were essentials.

Change:

• BREASTFEEDING CLINIC: Thankfully our hospital had an amazing breastfeeding clinic where I could get the help we needed. My only wish is that I had gone sooner. No one feels like returning to the hospital the next day, but if I knew I was headed down the road we were on, I would have got off immediately and sought help.

• SEEK COMMUNITY: I wish I had pushed myself more to meet with other moms and fight the desire for isolation. I know I could have never foreseen social distancing regulations, but had I known, I may have been more intentional about pushing myself out the door with our little one and being with others.

• GET THOSE BLACK OUT CURTAINS: I thought I would be kind to our budget and leave the window coverings as is. But after experiencing a good night's sleep because BabyK had complete darkness, I will never scoff again.

• TRUST GOD MORE: As I move each day further along this journey of life, I am reminded again and again of God's goodness, mercy and His unfathomable ways. It' easy to say I trust Him, but even easier to let my worries, need for control and my own aspirations get in the way. If we were ever to have a second child, I'm sure my need for Him would be even more apparent.

How about you? Have kids? Thinking of more? What would you do differently? What would you keep the same?

Here's my list of my MommyK Baby Must-Haves.

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Psalm 32:8

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."