First Time Parents

I have recently started babysitting for an aquaintance of my husband. The baby was born last November and this is their first child. I had to laugh when they showed up with the baby's equipment.....including bottled water for when I had to prepare bottles. I think that was where I got the biggest kick. Took me back to the days of being a first time parent.

When my oldest was born I carefully boiled the water for formula and often prepared enough bottles for two days. Nine years later for my third child I was using tap water for fomula and heating it up in the microwave. My youngest is still living five years later no worse for the wear and I would like to add with a whole lot less visits to the doctor than my first two.

It is so strange how you just learn to let things go as you become more mature and more experienced. You get so innundated with proper ways of doing things that you just can't sit back and enjoy being a parent. Enjoy the ride, I say!

My mother-in-law told me that one of her biggest regrets is caring too much with how the house look instead of concentrating on enjoying her children. And I can see her point! Enjoy the ride! It won't really be that long until they are gone.

You're HOW old?

I just recently celebrated my fortieth birthday. Boy, do I remember when my parents turned forty. They were so old! Now I am forty..... I don't feel old!

My husband decided to throw me a surprise party. I thought that was really sweet of him to do that. I wasn't sure if I wanted a party or not. I don't enjoy being the center of attention. This wallflower enjoys letting someone else do that, but I did appreciate the fact that friends took the time to honor me like that. It just made me feel special.

Turning forty presents certain feelings.....like rethinking your life because you realize that you have reached the midpoint. I've been trying not to dwell on that because I know it tends to make people depressed. Trying, of course is the rather strong key word.

Recently Matt Lauer of the Today Show on NBC turned fifty and he was presented with a membership to the AARP. I couldn't help it. The first thought that popped in my mind was, "Well, you only have ten more years to go!"

And retirement! Only twenty years till that! In twenty years I can pay less to eat or go to the movies or whatever I want. That rather bittersweet thought has yet to develop a delicious taste to savor.

My husband and I are reaching the age where we will soon have to think about long term care for our parents....and then our kids will be doing that for us. Wow! Now THAT'S depressing!Well, my dh hasn't let it get him down. To him, reaching this age means we no longer need to bother with contraception. Go figure! Of course, keep in mind that I married a younger man. He turns forty next year and that may inspire a whole new chapter!

In conclusion, I just would like to ask for prayer for my dear husband as we enter the menopause stage. He's probably gonna' need it!