First things first

I guess we all have the right to share about our lives and the way we choose to live them. As a new mother (or simply parent), I am constantly flooded with conflicting articles and friendly, but many times unhelpful, advice. I am a firm believer that you do you, fed is best and whatever floats your boat. I recently read that as long as you keep your baby happy and "not-broken", you're doing a good job as a parent. I guess you can do a bit more than just that, but I agree with the sentiment.

As I write this, the familiar dark cloud of guilt hangs over my head ("Did I talk to my baby enough today?","Did he eat well?","Is his poop normal???"), as it does over most people responsible for itty bitty humans. I must make a daily conscious effort to not judge myself, just as I wouldn't judge others as parents or caretakers. I am now ready to go on a whim to even suggest that hey, maybe I am doing something somewhat correctly. My boy is healthy, putting on weight, growing respectfully, laughing and passing a healthy amount of gas.

The moment I found out I was pregnant, I had about 937287 questions that not even the most obscure Yahoo forum from 2004 could answer. I was just too scared to Google the other 8374923 pressing issues in my head. I had to try many things on my own, and despite an ongoing crippling anxiety, I had an otherwise healthy pregnancy. 

In July 2017, I gave birth to the most wonderful baby boy, and I now feel like I could/should share what I've learned, hoping it'll help a new mama or papa out there. I am not an expert nor do I claim to be one, and every single parenthood is different, but I'm being there and doing that my own way. So here goes nothing.