940 Saturdays

I read this article from Parents Magazine that you have 940 Saturdays with your child from birth to when they start college. I thought it would be fun to actually track those Saturdays with Stella. I'm fully aware that we won't spend every Saturday together. As she gets older she will have plenty of Saturdays with friends, out of town trips, and even plenty of visits to Grammy, Big Dad, Papa Chicho and Nana. But, I still thought it would make me more present as a parent. To know that every weekend counts, especially with Darren and me working full time. I don't go back full-time until June 18th but it's going to come quickly.

Because I'm behind on this activity (only by 3 Saturdays) I thought I would take this post to catch up on those Saturdays.

Saturday Number 1
You were only 4 days old this day but already a huge part of our lives. We were still getting to know you and experimenting with what you may or may not like so I decided to put you in the Baby Bjorn for the first time and sit in the shade on the back porch.  You fell asleep within minutes and I felt like a great Mom. :-)

We had a rough night breast feeding but Grammy was there to comfort me and tell me that she would stay forever if I needed her. You finally latched after an hour and slept like a champ that night. You and I are definitely still learning what this breast feeding thing is all about.


Saturday Number 2
The day before Easter, you were great all day. Grammy and Big Dad were still visiting (they came the day you were born and stayed 12 days to help us while we got to know you).  Grammy insisted that Daddy and I go out for a few hours just the two of us.  Grammy is so smart, she has told me over and over again that my marriage comes first because if your marriage isn't strong kids pick up on this and model your relationship later in life. 

We went to Marlow's Tavern in Cumming and Daddy and I talked the entire time to the bartender about our baby girl. He had a 6 month old girl named Scarlett. We both shared pictures of our beautiful girls and it hit me that I have turned into a parent for sure, gushing about my baby. (Only because she's amazing, now I understand every parent and their need to share) :-)

Saturday Number 3
Our first Saturday as a family (Grammy and Big Dad left last Sunday to let us try this parenting thing on our own). Daddy and I decided to go out to lunch and then run by Lowe's.  Lunch was great, we went to Chili's as we knew they would be quick and you slept the whole time.  As we were leaving we were so proud of our first family outing and felt good about stopping at Lowe's (bad idea). We walked around Lowe's for about 5 minutes when you began to cry. Daddy and I looked at each other and decided I would go to the car with you while he paid for our purchases. We got to the car and you had a diaper blowout. Thank goodness it didn't get on your outfit (I forgot to pack an extra outfit in your bag).  Although, once changed there were NO trashcans in the parking lot. I was kicking myself for not putting the portable diaper Genie bags in my purse that we got as a gift from one of Daddy's coworkers (he is a parent too so his gift was amazing, this being one of the greatest ideas).  I had to run to the lumber department and throw away the diaper while Daddy tried to find the keys (I put them in the diaper bag while I was opening the trunk to change you, you were screaming at this point). We got you home but on the way we learned 3 things.

1. You have 1.5 hours before you scream for your nap. We must be home before this time!
2. If we don't make it home you cry bloody murder unless the car is moving. Literally every light we stopped at you would start up again. We did consider running a few lights because of this but decided against it.
3. When you get this wound up you sleep through the night. Yep, you slept 6 hours straight that night! THANK YOU!