What I've learned year 1...

I can be honest and say I do not know everything there is to know about parenting and would not dare tell another parent how to care for their child unless they ask me for my personal experience...I mean, I've only done it for a year and I am still learning. With that said, I can tell you that there are a few things I would have liked to know before Lily came around to probably make my life a bit more manageable. So, I thought I'd share the few pieces of knowledge I gained from my first year being a parent and I know that every year will come with different challenges and right now, I accept that.

These will come in random order. I'm just numbering to see how many I can think of...lol

1. I would have liked to know that babies go through a colic stage around week three and there is not much you can do about it but just deal. Well, maybe some gripe water, changing formulas, gas drops, Dr. Brown's bottles, bouncing on a yoga ball while holding them...This didn't get rid of it, but made the days more, manageable...
2. As a vajayjay birthing mother, I would have liked to know that I was going to have a 33% chance of having severe incontinence. I was never told of this "little" mishap nor did I know of another woman who had that problem. So ladies, 1 in 3 women experiences severe incontinence after a vaginal birth. There.
3. The first six weeks after giving birth are an emotional roller coaster and you will be an emotional wreck. Every little thing will make you cry.  Men, be sensitive of this time.
4. Would have been nice to actually read the formula label and see you have to put the water in the bottle first, then the formula...noob mistake. This made for much constipation for Lily.
5. If you try to breastfeed and it just doesn't work out for whatever reason, it is OK. Don't let other women make you feel like shit because they were able to and you weren't. 
6. Practice the 10 minute rule. This was hard for me but when you haven't gotten adequate sleep for about 10 months post partum (not to mention the pregnancy lack of sleep) and you jump at the sound of your kid's cry, your husband or S.O. might put their foot down and stop you from rushing to your child's aid.  IF you don't mind hearing your kid cry for just a tiny bit, then try it. Let them cry and wait for ten minutes. The kid will probably cry for three then go to sleep and then you'll be able to get some much needed sleep. Of course, this worked for Lily. All kids are different!!!!
7. Babies can get adults sick. True story.
8. Adhere to the two week rule if your child is sick. This means, don't go visit your friends with your sick kid or go visit your friends if their kid is sick. And don't take your kid to a place other kids frequent while your kid is sick. Wait about two weeks after they start getting better so that you guys don't play sick tag. TAG. You're sick.
9. A runny nose on a child, for the most part, means they are sick. NO, it's not allergies. It's only allergies if your child's DOCTOR says it's allergies.
10. Get a humidifier if your kid has a stuffy nose and is sick.  Helps with the breathing. A hot shower helps too.
11. Taking your kid to the doctor for their shots sucks. Having them not feel well afterwards double sucks. Oh, and give your kid some tylenol before getting said shots.
12. IF you want to communicate early with your child, learn a bit of sign language. Start early, practice it everyday, and don't give up on it. You'll start to think that it is pointless but all of a sudden your kid will sign back and that will be a glorious day! 
13. Naps are important! You'll be surprised what naps can do to a cranky baby! and teach your kid to sign "sleepy."
14. Co-sleeping is cool and I do miss it, but it's hard to get a good night's sleep this way (at least for me). Having two bedrooms is ideal so your kid has a room and you don't bother them while they sleep.  I always thought it was crazy that parents would give the baby a room all to themselves. Now I know why.
15. Your kid will want to play with your things rather than their toys. So, don't invest too much money on toys at this stage.
16. There are many books and resources out there that tell you how to raise a child or care for a child. These are just resources! We have kids, not robots, and no two kids are alike! There is no manual that will work for all children! So don't take everything you read as words set in stone. Also, the more you read, the more you freak out about what can go wrong instead of just enjoying your kid.
17. Stock up on diapers and wipes!
18. Baby wipes have multiple uses!!! They are life-savers! Have some in the car, bathroom, bedroom, living room...etc. lol
19. If your kid leaks out of their diaper, move them up to the next size.
20. Blow-outs will happen! Pack extra pants in the diaper bag. And keep extra diapers and wipes in your car at all times!!! Make sure you change out the diapers when your kid moves a size up!
21. Don't compare your kid to other people's kids. Your kid is unique. Celebrate their victories when  the time comes.
22. T-shirts rule over onesies. Jeggins rule over leggings.
23. Find shoes that you can slip on in less than 30 seconds. If you spend more time than that on one shoe, you got the wrong shoes. Your kid is not going to be as patient as he or she was when they were a month old...
24. Use baby powder to slip your kid's feet into their shoes/sandals easier (if they wear no socks lol).

Ok so this is the stuff I think would benefit a new parent. Again, this was what I learned this year and of course there is more I learned but these are the points I felt were worth sharing.  Now off to start on Lily's next chapter!!