What To Expect...

I read so many books that I thought were going to fully prepare me for everything that Lina would throw my way.
I've been on this mission to become the mom who knows exactly what to expect around every corner...


I read Baby Wise....expected to have Lina sleeping, eating, and playing like clock work; allowing me to plan my day around her schedule to the minute.


I read Baby Whisperer....expected to be able to decipher between all of Lina's different cries and be able to tend to her need right away; allowing me to understand all the cues she gave me.


I watched Happiest Baby on The Block....expected to be able to soothe my baby within minutes of her starting to cry using 5 very basic techniques; allowing me to keep her calm anywhere and everywhere I went regardless of the situation.


I read every magazine article from my various free subscriptions...expected to have to buy every latest top of the line gizmo and gadget in order to provide the utmost care for Lina.


I took into consideration all the advice (and boy have I gotten my share of unsolicited advice)......not really sure what to expect from all that.


I got her on a eating schedule (every 3 hours) we were both really happy about it. I was left with a scheduled nap time that I could count on to run errands, sleep, read, do housework, make phone calls, etc.


Just when I thought I had it figured out........she went and changed it on me. Today, I used every method I could think of to get her to go down for her naps. Some worked for one nap, others worked for the others.....


Here she is swaddled, fast asleep listening to "womb sounds".

Next nap, she opted for no swaddling and instead a spanish music playlist.

After a couple days of her new eating habits, I am adjusting. (According to "What to Expect the First Year, it's due to a growth spurt.)

I refuse to think that all my research has been in vain......

At the end of the day I am still left unsure of what it is I am supposed to be doing to get Lina to be the perfect little baby, keep myself sane, and still have time to do all the stuff I need to do!!