What April Taught Me.
I can do hard things. See also: Jack is teething. I realize that this sounds silly-people do hard things every day, and I’m comparing a baby growing teeth, as all humans do, to hard things. You can laugh, it’s cool. But teething Jack is a fussy, clingy, sleepy-but-won’t-sleep baby. It’s so sad, and I wish that I could just tell him that it’s going to be okay and he’s going to love having teeth, but since his english isn’t that good yet, I have to settle for holding him 80% of the day.
And I love snuggling him all day! But trying to do that, along with other things like, you know, working…well, it’s hard. But I’m doing it, and nothing in my life has fallen apart just yet, and I’m actually pretty proud of that. And it’s totally okay if you’re laughing at me.
I can’t do everything. Why is this even on here? Why have I not learned this yet? I think this might be one of those things that everyone is constantly learning, forever. You can do hard things, but you can’t do everything. So pick the most important stuff and do that, because everything else can wait.
I’m ready to be settled. I think I fight the idea of this, because there’s something romantic about the idea of being adventurous and always going somewhere new. I still want those things; I want to travel and be spontaneous and raise Jack to be a wild and free little adventurer, I just want to have a long-term home base while doing all those things.
Having somewhere of our own, somewhere no one can raise the rent and make us have to decide if it’s worth it to stay another year, somewhere with a yard and a swing set and string lights, somewhere we can paint and hang pictures and just settle into to…now that is what sounds romantic to me.
True, deep happiness doesn’t go away because of circumstances. I am so happy. Unapologetically happy. The kind of happy that circumstances can’t touch. Teething baby? Tired, but still happy. Someone bought our dream home just hours before we were putting an offer in? Bummed, but still happy. Really, life is way too short to let little things get in the way of your happiness.
What has this month taught you?
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Having a teething baby IS hard and don't let anyone tell you otherwise 🙂 Mine is teething too, and just surviving the day makes me feel like a superhero sometimes. The "I can do hard things" lesson is what I've learned more than anything else during my 13 months of motherhood.
I'm sorry someone snatched the house of your dreams! We had the exact same thing happen to us last month. We will both be settled in our own place one of these days 🙂
I really like the realization of being "settled." So many people see "settled" as a bad thing (which, it CAN be in certain instances, but not this one). When we settled here I thought I was forfeiting adventure, but you're right- I just have a home base to leave for and come back from my adventures!
Get an amber necklace!! I know it sounds crazy but my baby had 8 teeth by 7 months and I hardly ever realized they were coming in. Even if it doesn't really work it looks super cute =)
Great reminder on doing hard things but cutting ourselves some slack when we don't do EVERYTHING. I make myself feel guilty when I don't accomplish "enough" in a day or week and I know I need to stop that!! 😉 Hope you guys find a house that you LOVE soon!
Love what you said about happiness– and not being able to do everything & I think wanting to feel settled totally makes sense & is just as special as traveling the world– it's just a different kind of adventure.
I'm still trying to grasp the concept of "you can't do everything." I nearly had a come apart last night. I never ask for help and here is why: my mom asked me if I need help with anything I was doing. So I said yes, I need containers incase we have leftovers on Saturday. (bridal brunch) Then she had 50 questions about what kind of containers so I told her to just forget it and I'd do it. Because just doing it was easier than answering 50 questions about what kind of tupperware I needed. I don't care what kind, something so I don't have mini quiche free flying around my car.
Long story short; I then felt bad for being short with my mom and I'm a control freak who can't delegate.
Having teeth really is the best thing ever, Jack! Hang in there mama, you are doing GREAT!!! <3
Yes, life is way too short. Every moment means something, I'm a firm cliche believer in that. I love your outlook,always.
Love your last point about being happy even when things don't go as planned. So important to remember what truly matters!
I agree with you– I want to be settled, too. The military has taken away my home base. While I do my best to make this temporary station feel like home, I can't wait until I have a say in where I live and how long I stay.
I think we always intrinsically KNOW that we can't do everything, but that we have to remind ourselves periodically out loud.
yes to the last one. so true.
and yeah.. teething babies are hard. i'm not a parent but i can see that is definitely hard. sorry that someone stole your dream house, rage! hope another one comes along.
I feel the exact same way on being a homeowner! I am excited to put down roots.
Oh friend yes to ALL OF THESE THNGS! Like you're speaking my language.
Aw, teething is the worst but try not to let it get you down. It will get better and enjoy those sweet moments of snuggles! Also, I bet your all's dream house is literally right around the corner 😉 Just wait and see!
Such a great reminder that we absolutely cannot do everything! It's so hard to want to and know that it just isn't going to happen. I always put so much more on my plate than I can handle. Yes, teething is so hard! There is no sugarcoating that one. Hang in there mama, it'll be over soon so enjoy those cuddling moments. -xx Leah || Chasing Texas