Reflections on Motherhood

I've always wanted children of my own. Everybody who knows me knows this about me. Don't get me wrong, I love other people's children too - I can give them back at the end of the night or whenever. I've grown up around children and having children be attracted to me like bees to honey. I've tried to get rid of them, but they always seem to find me. I don't mind, really. Sometimes children are more whiny than I'd like but mostly I find them more honest and open about things and they force me to be more open and honest about myself. My first night in the hospital, after Jason went home to bed (Irony at it's best... I've delivered a baby after being awake for 40 hours and who gets to go home to sleep? - I find it ironic but I don't feel bitter. I understand why and I think that was one of my first lessons as a mother and a wife. Sacrifice.) I remember sitting holding Elizabeth and wondering, so who do I call to take her away when I want to sleep? To be quite honest, I still haven't figured that one out. Though, as many Mom's have told me, sleep when the baby sleeps. It's so true. Maybe I should be sleeping right now... Elizabeth is passed out on my lap.
One thing (out of many!) that I wasn't prepared for as a parent is that it seems to have given everyone else a license to tell you what and how you should do things with your child. Regardless if they have ever had children or not. and whether they know you from a hole in the ground. (I don't mind advice from those I know, I just prefer that perfect strangers didn't tell me that they think I'm not doing well) I acknowledge that I am not perfect and therefore I will not be a perfect parent. I am going to try my best though and I pray to God to watch over my baby and to keep her safe. I may not be perfect but I can put her in the hands of the One who is. I hope that doesn't sound cliché because I don't mean it that way.
Elizabeth is learning cause and effect lately, aside from biting me she has learned a wide variety of new things everyday. Like for example, she throws a toy on the ground, I pick it up, she grabs for it, shakes it a few times and throws it back on the ground, I pick it up, etc... You get the idea, you've probably seen babies do this before. Ah, that poor sucker of a parent fell for it again. Truly my baby is an evil genius whose plot is to have me wrapped around her finger. I am, but I was from the moment I knew I was pregnant - I was already wrapped around her finger. I don't mind picking up the toys she throws - it gives me a chance to slow down, count my blessings and be thankful for this precious gift that I have. We may have our bad days and the road could get a little bumpy along the way but I'm glad to be blessed with this new title of Mother and will try to take the good with the bad.

Above Photo by: Robert Orr Photography

Almost 4 months already...???

It's hard to believe that while I was pregnant, that a week seemed like an entire month and now, an entire month goes by and I feel like it was just last week. Elizabeth is growing up fast right before our eyes. I can remember in the weeks after she was born that I was waiting for her to smile and waiting, and waiting and waiting. At one point, I thought, okay, she's never going to smile and now there's not a day that goes by where I don't see my sweet girls smile and her different range of smiles for the people she knows and sees throughout the day. During one of the first nights in her crib, I heard her crying over the baby monitor and mustered up the energy to get out of bed and go to her. After all, we wanted to move her to the crib but that also means that I can't just try to calm her without getting out of bed. Nope, now I have to get out of bed and go down the hallway and open her door before I can do anything. After closing her door and peering over the side of her crib, she stops crying and suddenly beams up at me. I think that makes it all worth it.

Newest Member of the K-Team

The newest member of the K-Team has finally arrived! Jason and I are proud to announce that Elizabeth Anne Kaufhold joined our team on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 9:05am. She was 9lbs 10oz and 21 inches long.


First picture with Daddy

First picture with Mommy
I feel so blessed by this precious little girl that has overtaken our lives. We never could have imagined the pride and joy that comes with having a child. I've been doing some reading and reflecting upon the following verse:

Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.

Psalm 127:3 (NLT)

And I've found that this is so true! I've had the last eight days with my little girl and even the last nine months, and what a precious precious gift! I look forward to the days ahead but right now, I'm enjoying every moment with her - the cuddles after feeding, the hungry two am cries, the soft sighs of contentment during naps and even diaper changes aren't so bad. One thing is for sure though, there's no going back and we don't even want to.