My First Week as a Mother

(Phil and Ryder having a serious conversation)

First of all, he is finally here! Phil and I finally gave birth to our 8 lb 10 oz, 21.5 inch-long beautiful baby boy. Besides going ten days past due, the delivery went rather well, which made mom very happy. We feel so blessed to have this little man in our home.

I am also proud to say, I have joined the unknown world of motherhood and have successfully gotten through my first week as a mom. What a feat! I say "unknown" because after having had a baby I finally realize there is no way to describe becoming a new mom until you've experienced it yourself. I also say "a feat" because besides never experiencing such joy, I have never experienced such stress. Every time we get through one of those crucial milestones such as: nursing, circumcision, jaundice scare, nursing, appropriate weight gain, realizing they actually do breath and stay alive when you put them down to sleep, first bath, getting some sleep, healing, and did I say nursing? (nursing has SO many milestones in itself, it needed to be mentioned at least 3 times) I slowly begin to feel like this whole parenting thing is working! It's a tricky game, this whole motherhood thing, because although its a positive thing to pass such milestones something like missing a feeding or letting his head droop can throw me into a fit of tears and world of guilt.

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It's funny because I wrote the first half of this post almost a week ago (delayed by a computer malfunction), so technically it should be titled "My first Two Weeks as a Mother" but even one week later being a mom seems much less daunting now I've had a even a few more days of practice (and healing)- or maybe just a good night's sleep. There is also a good possibility I'm speaking too soon because tomorrow is my first day without help. Thankfully, I've been lucky enough so have such good help up until now, I feel up to the challenge and I'm anxious to try and get a routine down.

Our dear, sweet leader--You will be missed

While driving to work this morning, I heard of the most unfortunate news--our beloved President Faust past away last night. I was overwhelmed with emotion and felt a tiny piece of my heart break for our leader's death and the loss of one of the best men the world has ever known.

After reading articles about his passing, I was impressed to learn about his many, many accomplishments and awards that reflected many of his great deeds throughout this life. I never knew half of these things. However, after looking at pictures of his sweet face I also knew what he considered his biggest accomplishments that were often left out of the news articles. Those I imagine to be first and foremost, his family and the service he rendered on behalf of the Gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I never knew or even shook the hand of our dear President Faust, but I'll always feel a connection with him because of the many things I was able to learn from him. A couple that immediately stand out is a story he told of when he was moved to tears for the sorrow he felt when as a very young boy when his grandma had asked him to do a small favor and he chose not to. I think of how many times did I disobey my parents (or grandparents) when I was 9 or 10 and have completely forgotten about it, let alone remembering it 70 years with a such a Christlike attitude? Another of his teachings that will stay with me is his most recent General Conference address about forgiveness. Sharing amazing examples of Christlike forgiveness and what blessings forgiveness can bring. And of course, his testimony of Jesus Christ himself. These are the teachings I feel blessed to take with me because of this great man and his faithful and dutiful relationship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

A heart full of gratitude goes out to this man who I hope I will be able to meet one day.

Happy Due Date!

(Photo: I personally titled "Waiting")

Sorry for failing to post for awhile...I know it sounds silly, but I thought maybe I would go into labor or something like that and lets face it, women about to go into labor have a lot more important things to do than blog...like watching reruns of Saved by the Bell and Forbes Top 100 most influential celebrities. But now that we're here and I'll most likely see my due date come and go, I thought it was high time to post. Although my current state has seemed to strip my brain of anything clever to say...no worries there are a lot of other people who are just full of interesting things to say.

My Favorite Top 7 Nine-Month-Pregnant Comments:

7. "You poor thing. You shouldn't be here," chuckles coworker, Teresa. (why is she chuckling)

6. "You're still here?" questions coworkers, Diana, Joel, Deena, Janie, Melina, & Francis

5. "Don't worry, we won't let you go more than two weeks past due." laughs my doctor who says in a way where she actually thinks she is being comforting.

4. "I knew you had to be getting close because I looked at you and thought, she looks SO MUCH bigger than the last time I saw her....you probably don't want to here that, huh," says the nurse who first beams and then gets quiet after she realizes what she just said.

3. "Jazzy, how can we get this going for you?" chats cute, concerned, friend Brittney

2. "Jasmine, did you forget what you were supposed to do today?" says coworker Phil in with a very concerned look on his face like I had just forgotten to give birth (this one made me laugh-- one of my favorites)

1. "It's good to see you today." says coworker John, whose tact makes me grateful his cube is the one next to mine.