misconceptions

So I remember my mom telling us, after we found out that we were expecting little AJ --Josh frowns upon this abbreviation of Annie's name... i kind of think its cute--that babies don't ruin your life or put it on hold... or put you on hold, they enhance it in a beautiful way. Ok so she didn't say those exact words but thats what she was getting at ...she did say "just throw 'em in the back seat and go" and I love that. That's what stuck with me when I felt scared about parenthood, that one simple phrase.

So thats how its been, we have completely pulled of this whole having a baby thing... and aren't half bad at this being parents thing. Yes, it is frustrating sometimes.. like the other day when I tried to put her to sleep for what seemed like 2 hours, when in reality it was about 20 mintues... and she woke up and started crying. AHHH! But then Josh picked her up--because she clearly was not going to take a nap-- and said "how can you be mad at this cute little face" and she obviously --and might i add condescendingly--smiled and ...melted my heart. GAA!

Last night we went out for a mommy-daddy--baby-in-the-back-seat date which we do from time to time. We started on the topic of how others view you once you have a baby. It stinks. Not all people, but we have noticed some friends distance themselves. Why is that? We're still the same people" I said to Josh... He responded "we are, but we're different" Yes, I guess both of those are true. Annie has changed us so much in ways that nothing else could. God used her to show us what is truly important in life --> family, deep meaningful relationships and dying to your own selfish wants. We are limited sometimes... but well maybe i wouldn't call it limited at all. We can't do certain things, but we're ok with that. we can do a lot of things. We definitely weren't baby people, but Annie completes us.

"So you're thinking of being parents"/ top reasons to have a kid/ Reassurance list:

1. because they're NOT scary or overwhelming like many people our age think kids are.

2. they do change you.. but its only in deep ways

3. poopy diapers actually are the easiest part of parenthood

4. Yes they cry, but think of them as an unsolved mystery (come on didn't you love Robert Stack?) Parenthood 101: a cry means there is something wrong: #3, they're hungry, they're overtired, they have fallen out of their bouncy chair, they need some lovin' .. or a common one for annie her hat has fallen over her eyes

5. continuous entertainment

6. the pride in knowing that that cute little being with the chubby cheeky's was made by you and your mate .. yep.. and it gives you the right to say "I made that" ... well God did.. but it was through you!

7. kids are mobile... listen to dear Bernadene my darling mother, "just throw em' in the back seat and go". Why do you have to rearrange your whole life ? you don't! BUT you do have to be respectful of your baby--after all they're not just cute accessories, they're people. Maybe they get grouchy because they're tired.. so what.. I'm that way too

8. you don't have to say goodbye to your cool music and cool apt. and embrace multicolored, children paraphernalia and unload it all over (though you can if you're into that). Yes we do sing dorky songs to Annie but she's also a big fan of Bob Dylan and Paul Simon... and surprisingly loud Gospel music. There isn't Annie things all over our apt, there is some because she lives here too, but its not overwhelming.

9. you don't have to lose your identity in your baby or mom groups or mom jeans or daddy daughter banquets. You don't have to fit into some crazy mold and all of a sudden find baby magazines and parenting books fascinating... because they're really not and its ok to think and feel that!

10. Lastly and most importantly THERE ARE NO RULES! So anything that you think of that says "but i have to do it this way or that way" ... no! The baby is yours and you may raise it how you want to! Wow imagine that!