Two weeks of baby Diego

Life really could not be more beautiful! I am sitting on the couch in Maputo and next to me is a handsome little man who I love more than life itself. Little Diego was born on the 28th September. His birth did not go according to plan and I ended up being wheeled off for a c section after many many hours of labour pains.
Turns out recovering from a c section was way easier than I though. IN FACT... easier than dealing with hours of contractions. :) What I realised on that day that it really didn't matter what plans I had to bring him into the world. How I wished it would happen.My plans really didn't matter at all. God had it in control.. Diego was there. In my arms. Healthy and happy. What a blessing.

Here are some of the things that I have learnt and loved over the past two weeks.

I have always loved that little proverb or quote that speaks about a village raising a child. I love the idea that as parents you are not on your own. I love the idea that the responsibility of raising a child is with a whole community. I think I have learnt to appreciate that while dealing with the boys here. Sometimes parents cant raise their kids. Sometimes input and advice from neighbours proves to be invaluable in a child's life. Sometimes its the people around us that impact our kids and inspire them to be better people. That's the positive side to that quote. These past couple weeks I have learnt what the flip-side to this little proverb is.

I have had to learn to stand up for what I think is right for my child. To push aside comments that I dont want   and to take into consideration others which might help me and my child. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE has an opinion on how you should raise your baby. How to feed him. How many blankets to wrap him up in. Whats good and whats not.... Opinions are not lacking. At first I thought it was so wonderful that people cared enough to share what they though was best. But I quickly got tired of it and found myself crying one night feeling like a complete failure. There was not way that I could please everyone.
Luis very patiently listened and then reminded me that this child was given to us to raise. God chose me to be his mom. Yes I need help and advice but ultimately I need to figure out whats best for my child and trust in my instincts. This has not been an easy thing for me. I want to please everyone. I want everyone to feel like I am taking their opinions into consideration but I also need to make my own decisions with out feeling guilty. This village that is helping raising my child is made up of people with very loud voices.
I am Diegos mom. God has given me the privilege of having the loudest voice in his life. (at least for now- until he is old enough to not want moms opinion. (: )

Here is another thing that I have learnt...

I am overflowing with pride and love. Not only for this beautiful child that is staring up at me but for my husband. I am reminded every day I see Luis holding Diego how blessed I am to have a husband that is utterly in love with his child, praying for him, loving him and waking up for him when he is crying at night.
I am more in love with my husband than ever before. God has blessed me with the perfect little family. Not perfect like movie perfect... But perfect for me kind of perfect.

So I keep learning. Everyday. Through motherhood I am learning more about myself, my husband and mostly more about the love that my father in heaven has for me. Everyday I realise a little more how perfect God's love is.