I still remember when we brought our twins home from the hospital.

It was stressful. 

We had spent several days in the hospital after their birth and had parents in and out for the first few weeks.

And then, it was time to go solo.

First-time parenthood is hard. There are so many new things to learn, life adjustments to make, as the family expands by one.

A friend of mine and her husband welcomed Baby Oliver in April.

Tracey and Kevin had moved away from the Robinson area during Tracey's pregnancy. The first few weeks after his birth, family came and visited and helped.

And then, it was time to go solo.

Tracey actually worked in the nursery at the local day care when our girls were little so often I'd ask her questions. If anyone is equipped with the knowledge to handle a baby, it's Tracey.

But once their baby was born, I found myself thinking of Tracey often. Having that first child is hard, especially when the sweet baby has a touch of colic.

I was blessed to not have a colicky baby, but my sister (five years younger) was one. I remember playing outside with the neighbor kids a lot after my mom brought her home. The baby cried - all. the. time.

I recently asked my mom how long colic lasted, and she laughed. At 41, we joked my sister still has it. (just kidding)

My mom is extremely patient but she said there were times the baby's long crying spells had her near tears. It was just so frustrating. They visited several doctors as colic ran its course.

Colic may be a distant memory to my mom today but the fact she recalls it vividly today, speaks volumes.

Soon Oliver's colic will subside. According to Mayo Clinic, by ages 4 to 5 months, a majority of babies with the condition have improved.

The day of his 3-month session, he was pretty mellow as you can see. I think the light is at the end of the tunnel.

Still, for some new parents, colic is real and it continues to be a challenge. 

No baby is perfect and, as parents, each challenge we conquer feels like a small victory. We just need to be loving, caring, and patient during each difficult phase (and there are many).

All too soon, they will be out of the house and on their own. We'll be the ones crying then.