Today I want to do a little bragging on good moms everywhere, because being a mother AND doing it right is a monumental task that requires a lot of time, energy, money, and definitely lots and lots of love. In particular, I wanted to give a shout-out to my closest friends and family that inspire me and wow me every day with their amazing ability to take care of a child and still manage to keep their head on straight: Courtney Ruckman, Coritha Higginbotham, Brandi Nicole Liles, Heather Mann, and Krystiana Michelle. Now... I know its nowhere close to raising a child, but raising this infant squirrel has given me a small taste of motherhood that makes me appreciate and respect these ladies even more for all that they do. I didnt understand how much time Id be spending with him and how much sleep I would be sacrificing (if Im lucky I get 4 hours a night now), but theres something that changes in you that makes your heart swell when you have this tiny little living thing that depends on you for everything it needs. Ive had to mix formula every 12 hours and follow a schedule of diluting amounts, and I have to set alarms for myself to feed him every 2 hours (even overnight) and make sure his heating pad turns back on (It has an auto-off function) so he doesnt freeze to death. I burp him after every feeding to make sure he doesnt get fluid in his lungs or air in his belly. He doesnt know how to piddle by himself so I have to tickle him with a wet Q-tip to teach him how to pee by himself, otherwise his bladder will rupture and kill him. I have to do exercises with him to teach him how to use his back legs because as of right now, he just drags them around but I know theyre perfectly functional. He doesnt know when its time to leave the heating pad and cool off for a few minutes, so Im having to search everywhere for this impossible-to-find aloe vera juice to treat the rash on his belly. I cant give him baths (no matter how bad he stinks) because of how small he is, hed get hypothermia drying off, so I have to fight with him to clean him with sensitive-skin baby wipes (he haaaaaates it!) and sometimes I get pooped on because he gets all antsy about it. And most importantly, I have to spend a lot of time just holding him, petting him, and playing with him so he gets used to my smell and presence. Its essential for infant animals to have a mother figure present to nurture and love them, otherwise they WILL start to get sick and wont develop like normal. Like I said, I seriously had no idea how much responsibility this little guy takes, but I wouldnt trade it for anything. I love him like I would a child, and I really do feel kinda like a mommy to him. Its like nothing else in this world exists when I hear him get this little purr about his voice that tells me hes happy, or when he eats and grabs his feeder with his tiny little hands and then curls up against me when hes full and falls asleep... Or when his little tail goes crazy when he hears my voice in the morning. I finally understand what its like when moms cant get enough of their babies and when they constantly want to share every moment with the world and post every little thing on Facebook. Call me crazy but human or not, Chip is my furry little child. And I have wonderful beautiful ladies in my life that inspire me to raise him right and not give up, because theyve shown me just how rewarding it can be. Thank you so very much and I love you all.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 19:08:55 +0000