11 Things I Thought I'd NEVER Say or Do!

I am a stubborn woman sometimes, who loves to prove a point.  And believe it or not, even judgmental at times... yikes! Those of you who know me well can vouch to this.  This is even more true as I have embarked on this journey of motherhood, but God is always working on transforming us into His likeness, if we let Him.  Lately He has been teaching me to Never Say Never Again! Oh, how I have been humbled lately.

So here are the 11 Things I Thought I'd NEVER Say or Do:

1.  Have children.
     Read my blog post "I Will NEVER Have Kids" for understanding!

2.  Use my mouth to clean a filthy pacifier after picking up God knows what from the floor.
     I'm kind of a germ-a-phobe.

3.  Take a bath.
    My mom and hubby made me in order to heal my hemorrhoids. Yes, I do shower.  I just hate the     thought of sitting in my own filth...even since the age of 5, I was VERY aware of the hair and dirt that collected towards the back of the tub.  Hence, I would sit as close to the running faucet, since I was forced to take baths with not only myself...but with friends as a little kid. What were our parents thinking? I am fully aware that this too may be added to the list in the future.

4.  Compare myself to others.
     Through both lenses of how much I suck, and to be brutally honest, how I think I'm doing better than others.  Pride is a viscous thing...but so is insecurity! I have hopes to find the balance, through God's grace.

5.  Compare my baby to others.
     Ok, i get it now that all moms think their baby is the cutest.

6.  Enjoy breastfeeding. 
     Even in the middle of the night...although exhausted, I love to see my baby girl smile, knowing she is getting to eat soon. It's so fun cuddling her and watching her latch on, kicking her feet around and tugging on my shirt collar...so precious!

7.  Miss my baby after being away for even 10 minutes.
     Don't get me wrong, I love passing her around at get-togethers.  But I used to think moms were crazy when they missed their babies...like, don't you spend almost every minute of the day with them?  But guess what?  I do the same thing now lol!

8.  Embrace a natural labor.  
     Never in a million years would I have thought that I could endure giving birth without pain meds, until I was prego and ready to take on the challenge.  Here is my blog post "It Smells Like Blueberries" to read more on the story.

9.  Receive satisfaction in changing a poopy diaper.  
     Although messy, it's wonderful to see proof that my baby is eating well and is growing strong.  Even if this means a poop spray or two onto mom, dad, and whatever else is in range.

10.  Post a dozen pictures of my baby on FB.  
       Well, I don't, but my hubby does.  And I LOVE it!  So what if we are proud parents...this stage will go by too quickly and we live too far away from most of our loved ones for them to see her progressions.

11.  Spend time looking at photos/videos of other people's babies...
       ...rather than going out with my friends - BTW I still LOVE going out with my friends, but I also enjoy lounging at home, looking at precious little ones that God has created.  Go Moms!

Here is a good verse that encourages me to avoid comparisons and judgements.  Rather, I desire to be the mother that God desires me to be, full of grace, love and humility towards other moms!

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."