And So It Begins

My son Nolan is six weeks old today. This means I am a professional mother.  I have joined the ranks of women everywhere who beneath their faded maternity clothes they are still wearing a month and half after delivery, they have on a Superwoman costume.  But it's no costume, it's for real.  Being a mom or a dad for that matter is not for sissies.  I thought I knew a lot about children and was "prepared".  From the time my brother was born when I was seven I considered myself a miniature mother.  Babysitting, working the church nursery and a general love for children gave me an air of confidence when considering my role as a mother...and some days that confidence still follows me.  Take this morning for example.  Nolan was clean, clothed and fed, and yet unhappily crying loudly.  Enter confident mom who takes this sweet baby, swaddles him and deposits him in his swing knowing he was just tired.  Two minutes later, he's asleep and I pat myself on the back.  Other days however I can't believe we have survived six whole weeks.  I've said to lots of people "I read all the books before he was born, but babies aren't textbooks and studying doesn't always help." In fact some days I've found the opposite to be true.  When he appears hungry before his "scheduled time", his diaper has leaked again for no apparent reason and the baby acne just doesn't seem to be clearing up I wonder just how steep the learning curve can get.


And yet I love it... This blog is called Needing Nolan because as much as I think he needs me, I really need him.  He is my Jerry Maguire moment, he "completes me".  He has changed the direction of my compass and puts purpose and passion into my day.  He helps fulfill my destiny, my desire to be a mother.  He is my new challenge in life.  He shows me my areas of strength and weakness.  Motherhood has given me an indepth look into what "God the Father" really means....and I love it.  I love being a Mom.


I love the smell of Johnson's baby lotion on my little man who is so fresh and clean just out of the tub.  I love when he gets so sleepy and he lays his head on my shoulder and stops wiggling.  I love that he can focus now and track me across the room with his eyes.  I love his long fingers that may one day play a piano.  I love how he sighs after sneezing.  I love how he smiles in his sleep. And I want to share him with you.  You aren't here day in and day out but I want you to be.  So I'll be sharing our adventures and the lessons we learn as Derek and I move through this adventure they call parenting.  We will try to keep updated pictures on the site and give you a peek into the daily life of sweet Nolan. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!