A friend sent me a message saying she lost the Mother of the Year Award at bedtime tonight and asked how motherhood was going for me.
I just laughed. I told her awards are vain & no one ever got the most patient award. It surprised me how much patience is needed with motherhood, and I just have a little innocent 7 week old. I can't imagine the toddler years and so on. But we must laugh because you can only cry so much.
I haven't had to cry for awhile now, which is great. I am lucky & outside of being a little needy or grumpy before bedtime, I have a wonderful 7 week old who makes motherhood a blessing. I'm slowly accepting that it's okay to chill at home with her whether or not we run errands or visit with others during the day; I don't have to be conquering the world.
Sure, waking up in the middle of the night still sucks, but it's amazing what you just "do" because well, someone else depends on you.
But here are some of my notes on motherhood from what I've learned so far (in 7 weeks). It could very well change tomorrow.
1. Yes, sleep when your child sleeps if you don't ever want a shower, breakfast or to blog again. The thing is newborns sleep a lot - just not a lot at once. Find a nap time for you during the day, it's extremely beneficial but realize you will also love naptimes because you can get stuff done. I think sleeping in the first 2 weeks especially when you still have help is what is really important, after that your body kind of adjusts especially when you realize you don't have to be anywhere the next day.
2. Appreciate the power of getting out. Lexi loves the car ride & naps better or is just relaxed when going somewhere. Bust out the stroller or baby carrier even if it's just to the mailbox. You'll feel better because you'll feel like you're still alive. Natural light is good for you and the babe. Plus it forces you to attempt a real outfit, perhaps makeup which is also a good thing.
3. Sometimes I realize it's gross, but their mini bodies belch in your face, poop & pee on you & fart when company is over. And it will actually be nice to know that their bodies are functioning properly. You'll tell them good job. It's awesome.
4. The other night it took 3 diapers to change her. That poop just kept coming & coming. It only takes being pooped on once to fear it every other time. Always wait 5 minutes before changing them. But even then, like my 3 AM change, it'll just keep coming when you feel like they're already maxed out. The power of little bodies. That crap goes everywhere.
5. You don't have to use wipes when they pee. Didn't know that at first. Update - we started doing so when she slept through the night and/or had larger pee diapers.
6. After one month, I no longer cried over nursing. They say 2 weeks. For me it was one month and the hardest thing about that one month. I could dedicate an entire post to breastfeeding which is still a really weird concept to me by the way. You just do it.
7. Baby clothes fit like adult clothes. They aren't always true to size & your child will most likely be a size ahead. You really don't need that many newborn or 0-3 clothes. It may last you just over a month unless you had a preemie. My girl just hates tight clothes.
8. Oxiclean is awesome
9. I hear you can't spoil infants. I'm not sure when they leave the "infant" phase but don't feel guilty for holding them when they cry & just want to fall asleep. I feel like I'm building a trust with her & I love when we snuggle on the couch, but I always insist on her sleeping in her bassinet until at least 4-5 AM. I say 4 AM only because sometimes I'll just let her sleep on me on the couch so dad can sleep & I can sleep. Sometimes it happens.
9.5. When one pacifier doesn't work, find another
10. The past really does become a blur. Just enjoy when the smiles happen and when it's a bad day, trust it'll soon be over and you aren't the first nor the last to contemplate hurting your child. You might think you're going insane but before you hurt them pass them off to good old dad or call grandma or a friend.
Motherhood is great, even if you drop the ball sometimes. It's amazing how resilient these sweet spirits are.
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I just laughed. I told her awards are vain & no one ever got the most patient award. It surprised me how much patience is needed with motherhood, and I just have a little innocent 7 week old. I can't imagine the toddler years and so on. But we must laugh because you can only cry so much.
I haven't had to cry for awhile now, which is great. I am lucky & outside of being a little needy or grumpy before bedtime, I have a wonderful 7 week old who makes motherhood a blessing. I'm slowly accepting that it's okay to chill at home with her whether or not we run errands or visit with others during the day; I don't have to be conquering the world.
Sure, waking up in the middle of the night still sucks, but it's amazing what you just "do" because well, someone else depends on you.
But here are some of my notes on motherhood from what I've learned so far (in 7 weeks). It could very well change tomorrow.
1. Yes, sleep when your child sleeps if you don't ever want a shower, breakfast or to blog again. The thing is newborns sleep a lot - just not a lot at once. Find a nap time for you during the day, it's extremely beneficial but realize you will also love naptimes because you can get stuff done. I think sleeping in the first 2 weeks especially when you still have help is what is really important, after that your body kind of adjusts especially when you realize you don't have to be anywhere the next day.
2. Appreciate the power of getting out. Lexi loves the car ride & naps better or is just relaxed when going somewhere. Bust out the stroller or baby carrier even if it's just to the mailbox. You'll feel better because you'll feel like you're still alive. Natural light is good for you and the babe. Plus it forces you to attempt a real outfit, perhaps makeup which is also a good thing.
3. Sometimes I realize it's gross, but their mini bodies belch in your face, poop & pee on you & fart when company is over. And it will actually be nice to know that their bodies are functioning properly. You'll tell them good job. It's awesome.
4. The other night it took 3 diapers to change her. That poop just kept coming & coming. It only takes being pooped on once to fear it every other time. Always wait 5 minutes before changing them. But even then, like my 3 AM change, it'll just keep coming when you feel like they're already maxed out. The power of little bodies. That crap goes everywhere.
5. You don't have to use wipes when they pee. Didn't know that at first. Update - we started doing so when she slept through the night and/or had larger pee diapers.
6. After one month, I no longer cried over nursing. They say 2 weeks. For me it was one month and the hardest thing about that one month. I could dedicate an entire post to breastfeeding which is still a really weird concept to me by the way. You just do it.
7. Baby clothes fit like adult clothes. They aren't always true to size & your child will most likely be a size ahead. You really don't need that many newborn or 0-3 clothes. It may last you just over a month unless you had a preemie. My girl just hates tight clothes.
8. Oxiclean is awesome
9. I hear you can't spoil infants. I'm not sure when they leave the "infant" phase but don't feel guilty for holding them when they cry & just want to fall asleep. I feel like I'm building a trust with her & I love when we snuggle on the couch, but I always insist on her sleeping in her bassinet until at least 4-5 AM. I say 4 AM only because sometimes I'll just let her sleep on me on the couch so dad can sleep & I can sleep. Sometimes it happens.
9.5. When one pacifier doesn't work, find another
10. The past really does become a blur. Just enjoy when the smiles happen and when it's a bad day, trust it'll soon be over and you aren't the first nor the last to contemplate hurting your child. You might think you're going insane but before you hurt them pass them off to good old dad or call grandma or a friend.
Motherhood is great, even if you drop the ball sometimes. It's amazing how resilient these sweet spirits are.
.jpg)
I'm so happy things are getting in a groove for you! Yesterday I found myself holding with one arm nursing Levi and picking up Addilyn with the other arm to put her in her crib for time out for an undetermined amount of time (rather than the 2 minutes). I was going crazy. It's definitely different having a toddler and a newborn. I love your post because everything is so true! a little make up can somehow make you feel like a person again and not just a personal burp cloth or milking machine.
ReplyDeleteyes, yes - personal burp cloth & milk machine...welcome to what the first month felt like + a walking zombie sometimes.
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