Professional Learnings

I've often talked about this with coworkers of mine: Sometimes I feel like everybody knows what I know, is able to do what I do, and I sometimes wonder if it really takes that much brain power or knowledge to do what I do, or if anyone could step in and do it. Not that my job is "simple", its just that when you spend so much time doing something and its 2nd nature, you just tend to start thinking everyone know what you know. The thought "doesn't every one know this" (I don't mean this arrogantly) pops into my head when someone asks a questions at work, and then I realize, oh ok, I guess I do know some things others don't, hence why I do what I do and it is my role to get these things done. Through years of working in the same field of ministry, God has gifted me with certain knowledge and experience, thus placing me in my role where I am considered a "professional". But for some reason, it still boggles my mind a bit.
Well, this same thought transfers to motherhood as well. I sometimes forget that not everyone knows all the little things about Caden that I know, and through these past 8 months of experience as his mother, I've come to realize that I've gained specific knowledge on certain nuances about him and raising him. Now, of course, this doesn't mean this is the ONLY way of doing things or raising him, but as I've tried to explain things to sitters, I've realized--wow, I guess I am a "professional" at raising Caden. (please note I am not writing this as dead serious, but kind of laughing that there are so many things that I consistently do and know, while very few are non negotiable and necessary). So I decided to write a list of things that I've learned as being Caden's mom the past 8 months.
(Please note that these are written tongue in cheek, so please don't think that I believe all these are necessary, but just little things I've learned)
1. Don't do laundry close to a possible nap time. The laundry room shares a wall with Caden's room and the spin cycle usually wakes him up or keeps him from taking a nap.
2. Never be without extra C Batteries in the house. If Ocean Wonders runs out of juice, we all are in trouble. (Ocean Wonders is his little song/lights toy that helps him go to sleep).
3. Always try to give Caden a toy or binky when you put him in his high chair. If you don't, as you go to grab/prepare his food, he takes this as a sign of abandonment and goes into panic mode. Toys and binkies are excellent distractions until you return with food.
4. Socks can double as teethers and toys. Just don't plan on them actually keeping his feet warm.
5. Changing his diaper often turns into a wrestling match, so distractions are necessary. Toys, stuffed animals, or an overly animated song are a must if you want to get clothes or diapers successfully changed.
6. Don't put more than a few Cheerios or Puffs down for him to eat at a time. This kid double fists it like no body's business and will either shove all of them in his mouth at the same time or "share" them with Roxy (knock them all on the ground).
7. You might want to "hide" bottles from him even when washing them, or transferring them to the baby bag. If he sees it, its fair game and apparently, time to eat (even if he just ate).
8. He warns you when the end of his "Praise Baby" DVDs are near...he starts talking and making loud noise in about the last minute (before the credits are on). This is your one minute warning, so you might want to wrap up what you were doing.
9. Slippers or socks are necessary when in his Rainforest Jumper. He has found a way to blister his toes from the excessive jumping if he doesn't wear some sort of foot protection. (Its ok, though. We take it as a sign of a future Olympian.)
10. Bring a bath toy to bath time, or the wash cloth becomes his bath toy. And you become soaked.
11. Cutting nails and toenails have to be well timed. During the day--a battle. First thing in the morning---golden. Catch him in that first half hour when he is still snugly after we bring him in to our room, and he will let you hold his hand or foot as long as necessary.
12. If you can't find his binky when he's in his crib, he's either sitting on it or he's thrown in within a 3 foot radius on the floor.
13. When playing with him, if you build any sort of tower, he will knock it down. When you aren't playing with him and build a tower, he will knock it down. Something we will need to work on before preschool...
14. Any sort of stuffed animal on the ground, dog toy or not, is still a toy for Caden.
15. While green veggies seem like a good idea, unless disguised with some fruit on the spoon, will inevitably end up on your shirt.

So there are some of the things I've learned and know to be true. While I might not be able to list these on my resume as "experience and special skills", I love that I am blessed to get to spend so much time with my little man and have gained this knowledge that I know to be more valuable and special than most things in life. I definitely am thankful to be a professional mama. (I'm considering getting a business card.)

Learning #4