Bringing Little Bug home from the hospital on June 3, 2009, I had no idea of the huge responsibility I was taking on!

I didn’t fully realize it then but life as I knew it was over – forever. From that day forward everything concerning my life filers through Little Bug first. I don’t make even a simple decision such as should I go run this errand now or later without taking Little Bug into consideration. I have to plan my day around meeting her needs. Even as life goes on and Little Bug grows up I don’t think I will ever make a decision, big or small, without first considering the impact it will have on Little Bug and any other future children the Lord may give us.

Many times this means sacrificing on my part. Parenting requires sacrificial love. I no longer jump in the car within minutes of thinking I need to run to the store for this or that. It now requires a great amount of planning! I must go between naps and make sure I have a packed diaper bag before leaving the house, just in case. Dave and I can no longer hop in the car for a late night Taco Bell run because Little Bug is already in bed.

I don’t think anything can fully prepare anyone for the awesome responsibility of parenting. Sure, having babysat and nannied before Little Bug’s birth gave me experience with an infant, but nothing fully prepared me for this task!

Parenting is a major life adjustment. And I’ve learned over the past 8 months rolling with the punches is probably the best way to help yourself adjust to your new life.

Bad life?? Certainly not! Just new.

Look at my girl.

She is getting SO BIG (yet she is still SO tiny at only 15.5 pounds).

She is crawling EVERYWHERE.

She is pulling up and is so proud of it when she stands.

Just as nothing can prepare you for the awesome responsibility of parenting, nothing can prepare you for the LOVE that will fill your heart and spill out.

- Elaine