What I learned from Allie

In continuing with the Mother's Day theme, today I will talk about what I learned being a first time Mom.  Yesterday, I talked about being a Step-Mom.  Being a full-time Mom is so different from that experience.  I loved being pregnant.  All the changes that went along with my body, how I felt, how the baby grew and how I could eat what I wanted, when I wanted without any excuses.  It was fun not knowing who this little child inside me was and how this little person was a combination of Mike and myself.

When Allie finally arrived into this world, it was early morning on a rainy July Saturday.  She was already nine days late (according to the doctor), so they helped us along with that.  I was in labor for 23 hours and finally when the doctor told me that if something didn't happen soon, they would do a cesarean.  Then everyone left me; Mike and Dad went to have a smoke, Mom went to get something to drink, the doctor went to check on another patient, and the nurses went to do something else.  It was just me alone in the hospital room.  My thoughts were full of what-ifs.  I was okay with whatever my doctor decided, but apparently, God and the baby had other ideas.  I started feeling things happen and I started squirming.  When a nurse came back in to check me one last time, the baby was ready, and I could push! 

Now this is really a trait of Allie's.  You can tell her, but when you really want her to do something, tell her what you will do if she doesn't do it, and she gets the job done.  I don't use that often on her because she is such a great kid.  Anyway, even before she was born, she was like that.

As a young mom, I learned a lot.  I am pretty easy going, but I do have a breaking point.  There were several times when Mike and I called on my parents to come help because we were just so tired.  I found out that it is okay to depend on them.  I learned that my love for my child is stronger than I could have ever imagined.  I also learned that I know her better than anyone.  I have taken criticism for how my daughter is and was.  She was a very emotional child.  I was surprised by that.  I was never like that, but she was.  I found out that people who gave me advice about how to deal with my daughter, was being polite and well-meaning, but in the end, it was me that figured her out and could calm her. 

I learn from Allie everyday still.  She has made me patient and it has been such a pleasure to see her grow.  My heart gets bigger and bigger every day.  Allie and I are nothing alike, but we learn from each other and are becoming friends.  I like that.

Proverbs 31:28-29
Her children rise up and bless her;
         Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
    "Many daughters have done nobly,
         But you excel them all."