You know what’s funny about babies?
They’re humans.
I know that sounds ridiculous but I’m pretty sure other parents can level with me here. Sometimes, you think your kid is a machine, right? A machine which, when you push exactly the right buttons, will do exactly what you tell it to. Feed Child at X time. Put Child down for a nap at Y time. Do all these things and Child will cooperate with you without fail. And DEFINITELY without tears.
At least, that’s how some of the parenting books may make you feel.
But you know what? Children, even babies, are humans. They’re little walking, talking brains with emotions, desires, pushes, and pulls. There is no perfect formula for child rearing. You just do the best you can today and hope it doesn’t end in a meltdown. And, if you are unsuccessful, you try again tomorrow.
Yesterday Dan and I tried to follow a formula. We tried to stick to a schedule. A method we’ve followed since he was two weeks old. But our child, who is not a machine, decided he didn’t want the same things we wanted.
He didn’t want to sleep.
He didn’t want to nurse.
He just wanted to be awake and wiggle. And cry. And be awake. And not sleep. And be hungry but fight me rather than nurse. And not nap. But lay on the bed with his eyes closed like he wanted to nap. Then cry.
It was a hell of a day, I tell you.
According to my friends and the Interwebs, it’s probably because he’s starting the teething process (WHICH BLOWS MY MIND INTO SMITHERINES YOU GUYS… MY BABY BOY!). Of course. Just after we get through a rough bout of colic, he starts to teethe.
Because he’s a human. Not a machine.
This post doesn’t really have a point. Just letting you all know that sometimes, parenting is hard. And today, I’m thankful that, after yesterday, and after not exactly getting it right, I haven’t been fired from the position of Dax’s mommy. For better or worse, each day is another chance to be the mom I was called to be.
It’s another day. I’m here, and I’m trying. Thank God for second chances. And second second chances. And second second second chances. And so on.
For good measure, here’s a picture Dan snapped of Dax passed out hard after raging all night. Party hard, crash harder, y’all.
For more adorable pictures of the human I helped make, follow me on Instagram.
fueled by diet coke 
Just when you think you’ve got it, they change it up on you! John’s been refusing the bottle, waking up every few hours screaming like he’s being murdered, tossing, rolling, fussing! I wish the teeth would just come through already, they’ve been taking their sweet time for months now!
I often feel like he’s gonna need therapy because of me not being good enough for him or making the million and tenth mistake….today! When he worms his way into my arms, lays on my chest and smiles at me, at least for that moment I’m doing something right in his eyes!
You’re doing a great job. Nobody else can be Dax’s mommy but you so you are irreplaceable. Isn’t that cool?
Totally get your post there.. And still, it’s so worth it! 😀