As you might have guessed from my lack of posting over the past couple of days, the past couple of days have been quite stressful.

But really … stressful in a very good way. Stressful because I am finally a mommy and I am just trying to figure this new way of life out and learn my daughter at the same time. Oh, and attempt to keep my house somewhat in order.

As I mentioned in a previous post, a friend of mine (who actually used to be my employer as it was her adorable little twin daughters that I used to nanny for) let me borrow the book The Baby Whisperer to read. Love the book and love the philosophy behind it.

It is a middle of the road approach between the Cry It Out parenting method and the Attachment parenting method - neither of which really fit me. So when I read The Baby Whisperer and saw how this method of parenting created two happy little girls who are on a routine and know what is coming next in their day, I knew I wanted to do the same with Little Bug.

Here’s the main idea of the book. It’s called the E.A.S.Y Method because, well, it’s quite easy and makes for a happy baby and happy mommy and consequentally, a happy home, which is the main goal here anyway.

The E.A.S.Y. Method is a routine Baby is on. It is not a schedule. Schedules, in my opinion, are just too ridged. And flying by the seat of your pants just doesn’t float my boat either. So, a routine sounded just about right for me and Little Bug.

“E” is for “eating”, “A” is for “activity”, “S” is for “sleep” and “Y” is “time for yourself”. Baby eats, then does activity (diaper change or bath when they are newborns), then sleeps and wa-la, mommy has time to do a load of laundry, clean bottles or take a nap!

I was under the assumption that my friend had her girls on the E.A.S.Y Method just as soon as they came home from the NICU. But when I called my friend last night (in tears) because the E.A.S.Y Method wasn’t being very easy for Little Bug and me, she calmed me down and said the magic words several people have told me recently: “3 months. Once your baby is 3 months you turn down a new road. Before then it is just survival.” (Thank you, Natalie.)

I always tend to be too hard on myself. I am a perfectionist, which is good to some degree and bad in others. Last night I realized I am being too hard on myself and I just need to “relax and eat a pickle” (one of my teachers from highschool used to always say that). One thing I do know: I DO NOT want to wake up one day and realize I did not enjoy my little girl as a newborn because she won’t be a newborn for long.

So I will go with the flow now and do the E.A.S.Y Method when possible, knowing when Little Bug hits the 3 month mark we can really get into the swing of it.

Even in the midst of all the stress, I am so thankful that this is now my stress! Sometimes it is still so hard to believe she is actually here and she is ours. While I am tired and I am trying to figure out a new normal, I wouldn’t change anything for the world.

And to tell you the truth, I really don’t care that my bathroom is dirty and there is dust on the furniture.

Priorities. I can always dust tomorrow (or the next day, week or month).

But today is the only day EVER I will be able to hold my 20 day old daugther. And I will hold my 20 day old daughter.

- Elaine