a few things i’ve learned:

[1] i do everything (well, most things) with one hand. i haven’t wanted to put this new little babe down and when a baby carrier isn’t around, all you’ve got are your hands, so what do i do? send emails, text and look for apartments one-handed.

[2] i celebrate taking a 5,6,7-minute shower. yep, that’s an accomplishment with a newborn. silas is 7 weeks old now and he’s a wonderful baby, but he needs and wants my attention and i give it to him if he asks. even though we have the amazing mamaROO bouncer and a pack ‘n play, he hasn’t found comfort in either for much longer than 10 minutes.

[3] a low-maintenance ‘do is a must. seriously, a mom haircut is great, as long as you can make it cool. there are days when i don’t get to shower because i need my sleep, silas needs to be fed, diaper changed and then by the time we have to leave, all i can do is run the blush brush over my cheeks and slip on some mascara. luckily, my hair looks better the more i sleep on it!

[4] get insta-dri nail polish. it’s that time thing again. you have very little, so unless you like having smudged nail polish, insta-dri is the way to go.

[5] i hear the advice, but i don’t always listen to it. everyone will have something to say, especially your mother (and sisters who are like your mother…i love you, sister.) the thing i have to remember is that it worked for them and it doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for me.

[6] i don’t always know what to do, but i can usually figure it out. it’s all about trial and error and trusting your instincts.

[7] i tell him i love him every single day. i didn’t start telling my parents i loved them until i left for college. they always knew i loved them and i always knew they loved me, but i’m going to teach him how important this is.