Puzzle Pieces

I realized this week that I'm starting to feel normal again.

They tell you that when you have a baby, you really need to give the baby three months to adjust to the world. What they don't really tell you is that Mommies need those three months too. Or maybe they do and I just didn't hear it.

Sure, I read everything about depression after baby and the signs to watch for it and I didn't have any of those. But a couple of days ago I found myself dancing with Micah in the living room to "Call Me Maybe" and it felt really good, really Jordany. Friday, Micah and I went to a friends house and made a super cute Christmas wreath for my house, and it felt really Jordany too.  I also realized in the middle of teasing my husband this week about something that I couldn't remember the last time I have done that and it felt really right.

Having a baby is a such a common place event in our world, yet so life altering for the individuals whose family the baby belongs to. Having a baby changes everything. Don't get me wrong, it's for the good, but it changes everything. I can't speak for Jonathan, but it has changed me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And Micah is only almost four months old.

It's like one of those 50-gazillion-piece puzzles. Before baby, your whole life is nicely being put together everyday. The puzzle pieces fall rather easily into their slots. If one piece is difficult, you have the time to figure out where to put it.

Then comes baby....and suddenly even the easiest puzzle pieces have no place to fit in your puzzle....like eating, sleeping, you know those lesser important life functions, (thankfully breathing is automatic ;) because that sweet, sweet baby has become the only piece in your puzzle. You go into autopilot, doing only what HAS to be done for you, your husband, and the baby.

Days go by.....

Finally you figure out how to eat and shower and take care of baby...

Next comes keeping up with some household chores like laundry, dishes, etc...

You start getting back into a routine, going to church, small group....

You go back to work...

You begin to add baking, blogging, reading, etc, while the baby sleeps...

And then suddenly, you find yourself putting your puzzle back together. Oh it looks different now, but its coming back together. Yes, there is now an adorable big baby puzzle piece, but you have figured out how to put your family puzzle around him and you didn't even realize you were doing it. 

So Mamas with tiny babies, soon-to-be Mamas, and future Mamas, hang in there. Your head will come up from under the water. You will be able to make it the whole day without a nap. You will be able to keep up with your house and your baby. You will feel like dressing up again. You will feel like being silly with your husband again. And believe it or not, you will feel like having a baby wasn't so bad after all and look forward to another one.

Yes, your life will still be in 3 hour baby feeding cycles, but it will soon become like second nature. Your baby will begin to entertain himself/herself and take more consistent naps. As he/she gets older, they will recognize Daddy and he can be of more help you. Baby will begin to go to bed at 8 and you can have one or two wonderful hours of Mommy time to rejuvenate for the next day.

It's coming....It's coming....

And as you struggle with putting your puzzle back together, don't forget Who ultimately holds the puzzle together for you and that He promises to give us the strength we need when we need it.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13