Surprises in Parenting + A Giveaway

Going into this whole parenting thing I felt like I was pretty well prepared. I definitely did my research, and I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. I knew there would be sleepless nights and countless dirty diapers and more love than I could ever imagine. I knew I would feel overwhelmed and tired and a million other emotions. Logically, I knew a large portion of the things that one should know about parenthood going into it.

But let me tell you, there were some surprises.

I would have to say that the thing that really surprised me the most about this whole baby thing is how exhausted a human being can be and still function. Now that Grayson is three months old and we are on the other side of the whole scream and cry for hours every night until he passes out from exhaustion and then wake up every two hours to eat thing, I generally feel pretty well-rested and just a little tired for the most part. But oh good Lord those first six to eight weeks...I honestly had no idea that was possible.

Looking back at things, I was definitely a bit of a zombie during that time. I have never known an exhaustion to that extreme. I'm quite sure no one other than the mother of a newborn baby has. There were moments when I honestly thought I would just pass smooth out walking across the room I was so sleepy. I can remember laying on the couch with him, rocking him and trying to get him to sleep, practically crying because I needed him to fall asleep so badly. I thought I might never wear anything other than sweatpants and baggy t-shirts because I was always covered in spit up or something worse, and I just didn't have the energy to put in the effort. I can also remember thinking it would be a loooong time until I would be ready to do this whole baby thing again.


Early on, during the zombie phase...I'm smiling because I'm delirious

But like I said, we're on the other side of things now. I generally get about eight hours of sleep a night, with two short little feedings around three and six. I have the time and energy to shower and even fix my hair and put on makeup most days! And this Saturday night when Arsen and I were at a new friends home visiting with them and their one month old teensy tiny baby....I held that sweet girl in my arms and thought, oh, I could do it all again.

And that's the beauty of parenthood. No matter how shocking it can be that you can function on three hours of sleep, covered in baby bodily fluids, exhausted to the point of tears...you would do it again in a heartbeat. That is by far the most surprising thing...how deep that love goes. That you would sacrifice it all, your sleep, your body...your sanity, really. Just to have another sweet little soul to love. Motherhood really is a beautiful thing.

So for all of you sweet mamas out there, I hope you know that I have much love and respect for you and all that you do. Now that I'm a mama myself, I feel such a kinship with anyone else who has gone on this journey before me, or anyone who is coming alongside me. I love sharing my newfound knowledge with my pregnant girlfriends, and really anyone else who will listen. You find out that you just instinctively prefer certain things for your baby, and your baby will have their preferences as well. It's all a big learning process, and I think we should all help each other out, cause let's face it, it's not easy!

This is why I want to give all of you lovely readers the chance to win some of my favorite baby products that I've used thus far. We've been super lucky that Grayson hasn't dealt with serious diaper rash, but he's definitely had his fair share of redness. Dr. Smith's has been an amazing product, and honestly I think it's a big reason why he hasn't had anything serious going on. The minute his booty even gets a hint of redness I put some of this cream on, and I kid you not, within a couple of diaper changes he is good as new. Any mama out there knows how awful you feel if your little one isn't comfy in any way, so I always feel relieved when I can get rid of that redness.

Luckily for all us, Dr. Smith's is now available nationwide at Walgreens...and even luckier for one of you out there, they are giving away a $50 gift card to Walgreens as well as some Dr. Smith's products! Simply enter below via Rafflecopter for your shot at the prize...and Good Luck!


If you can't wait to see if you're the big winner, visit doctorsmiths.com to find a retailer nearest you. 

This is a sponsored post, but all thoughts and opinions are mine.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

17 comments

  1. I have to have wipes!

    Name on rafflecopter: Mary Happymommy

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  2. Boogie Wipes are the best things! Jack hates having his nose messed with. These things just dissolve boogies so easily. You can also find them at Dollar Tree which is pretty awesome.
    Ashley @ Mrs. Mama

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  3. It has surprised me how different each person's pregnancy is - everyone has their own unique experience!

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  4. I no longer carry small bags, always big bags with lots of wipes inside.

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  5. I use the dr. smith small to go packets religiously. My nurse actually gave me a whole box and i love this cream for go away fast action for diaper rashes. I feel like the most surprising thing about parenting is that they always learn faster and more than you think they do and when you look around you are amazed at the new things they are doing

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  6. I was surprised that I never have time for myself since my baby was born

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  7. Hope was born, I felt like I was never going to be alone ♥

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  8. I was surprised how long the postpartum hormone up and downs took to work their way out of my system.

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  9. I was surprised how fast they grow! Time flies! So glad to have lots of pictures!

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  10. I was surprised at how much they ate! Oh man do they eat a lot. Thanks for hosting!

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  11. It always surprises me how different two kids can be that were raised together in the same family
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  12. that you can bond so immediately!

    rafflecopter: daniel

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment...each and every one makes my day just a little bit brighter!