Hi Guys, 

Todays post is written by one of the mums in my New Mums Club. She is mummy to Darlene who is the oldest of all the babies. We call her the class prefect.  Darlene is almost 10months and Zima is getting ready to go back to work. How time flies. Today she is writing about one temptation most of us as new mums fall into; the I-can't-wait temptation. Enjoy!

xo.

ENJOYING YOUR BABY IN EVERY SEASON

Enjoying the Sunshine!

Some of us have heard the likes of these statements at one point or the other...

"Wow, congratulations on your graduation! We are waiting for the wedding invite now "

"I can't believe you guys have been married 2 years already. Anyway what are you people waiting for again, when are the babies coming?"

"Your baby is a big girl now, she needs a playmate ... Hmm...or are you pregnant already???

...Well, actually, no, I just have not lost the weight from her pregnancy, but thanks. Lol. 

It seems that we ladies are often being rushed or are rushing ourselves through the various stages of life. This rush or impatience often sees us overlooking the goodness in our current season. We sometimes take this attitude right into motherhood. As new mothers, it is easy to find ourselves hurrying through the precious times we get to spend with our beautiful babies. We may consciously or subconsciously want to hurry along our baby's progress, without taking the time to rejoice in how they are doing today. Sure, my baby is crawling, but when will she walk? Yes, she drinks and finishes her bottle of milk well but when will she finish a plate of solid food instead of the mere two spoonfuls she is currently eating? 

Food time!

As we anticipate the next milestone, do we take time to embrace and celebrate the wonder of our baby's current achievements?  These wonderful achievements that happen to come with their own set of joys and challenges. So, how can we remind ourselves to stay present and enjoy every moment of our baby's development? I have found that it helps to reduce the use of the phrase ..."I cant wait until...".

By all means this does not mean we do not look forward to all the wonderful milestones our baby has yet to reach. It simply means we can learn to be present and not to make a habit of discounting the plenteous joys of their current phase; Your baby as she is today in this very moment. With all she has learnt to do so well and all she may not be able to do yet. Let us not find breastfeeding or bottle feeding them a chore so mundane, looking longingly to when we can feed them colourful exciting solid foods. That should be more exciting right? Well, I will let the mummies who are currently weaning answer that...

Busted! trying to vacuum. lol 

In my short time being a mum I have found that every season comes with its share of exciting moments and challenging ones. Your baby reaching a new milestone may present you the opportunity to have it easier in a certain area but can at the same time make another area more challenging. For example, now that they can get around on their own, get ready to stop them from getting into everything! So then, while they can only simply rollover, get on your knees and play with them and stop waiting until they can actually run around to engage them in play. Whilst they are still taking milk exclusively, then like one of the mums in our New Mum's Club suggested, take those moments of silence to pray over them. It is not wasted time. Once you start weaning, the prayers may look a little different....like "Lord I hope that can be removed from my carpet without leaving a stain".

A common saying any new mother hears all the time, said in one way or another is "Enjoy every moment with them, they grow up so fast!". I've heard this a lot from grandmothers who will stop me in the grocery store to exchange smiles with Darlene. Seeing as I have heard those words often enough, it has led me to really think about those words. As in why do they always say that? They say it in an endearing tone, as if they are reminded of simpler times with their own now adult children. As if to say "I wish I had embraced this truth and enjoyed my children when they were young".

Happy Days!

At the end of the day such encounters have led me to resolve that by God's grace I will try and enjoy every moment with my baby because she will grow up fast. I will stop frequently saying "I can't wait until she....". Because I can wait. There is no rush. And as I wait, I wait with joy. Eventually, she will crawl. She will walk. She will run really fast, and talk and sing. (I mean I can already tell she has a great voice, don't ask me how). I am determined to celebrate her as she is today as I encourage her towards her tomorrow.

1 Timothy 6v6-7  "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out"