Newlymom

There are quite a few ways I can tell I'm still in the "newlywed" phase of motherhood.  It's a mental and emotional place that all new mothers inevitably find themselves.  Being a new mom doesn't just mean you don't have a clue what you're doing and will have many stories to tell your oldest child about how she or he was your experimental kid.  It also means you've had a Grinch experience and you're adjusting to the new size of your heart.  Each mom probably exhibits different symptoms.  Here are some of the ways I know I'm still a "Newlymom."

• After Joan is in bed for the night Dan and I always end up looking at pictures of her, watching videos of her, or both.  Never fails.

• At 5 months I finally left her in nursery for some of the church service.  While I was sitting in the service all I was thinking about was how she was doing, if she was sleeping or eating or crying or what.  I kept looking for a good time to go back and check on her and had to use all my willpower to keep me from doing that.  When we reached the end there was a 5 verse hymn!  I leaned over to Dan and asked if we were really going to sing all 5 verses, he didn't think so.  I was happy that he was right and immediately when the song ended I was out of my seat and pushing my way past people to fly to the nursery. 

• It is difficult for me to talk about much beyond babies.  I realize that some people don't just want to hear about sleeping, eating, pooping, bathing, playing and whatever else my baby has been doing lately.  It takes a certain amount of concentrated effort to think outside that box and ask questions that would pertain to another person's life.  And just when I think I've got something, I'll be distracted by a funny face, silly sound, or fuss from the baby in my arms and have to start all over in thinking of the right thing to say.

• I can't imagine my sweet little baby ever being manipulative or disobedient.  I know she will, I just can't imagine it.

• I take pictures and/or videos almost everyday.  

• Many of the cards or e-mails I send contain pictures of Joan.  In fact, she's getting close to having her own greeting card line with my growing Photoshop skills (read: putting text on a picture).

I'm sure there are many other ways to tell that I'm a "Newlymom," but as I said in my fourth bullet I try to think of things that don't just pertain to me and my baby.  So here's my pertinent question...  hmm...  oops.  I don't have one.