It’s been about a year since the events that lead to my baby girl coming into this world took place. It’s funny to think about that. Things were so different for me in May of 2018.
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My Baby Isn’t Your Baby (And That’s Okay!)
“My baby is sleeping through the night.”
“My baby is grabbing onto toys.”
“My baby is rolling over.”
Well, MY baby isn’t doing any of those things.
Does that mean something is wrong with her? No. Does it mean that I’m not doing a good job as a mom? No.
So, what does it mean?
Absolutely nothing! It means nothing. And I’ve had to remind myself of that. I can’t compare my baby to other babies. And I can’t compare myself as a mom to other moms. It’s okay if Norah’s not sleeping through the night yet. That just means more snuggles and more time together–just the two of us. Maybe she’s not grabbing at toys just yet, but man! she loves books. She has her own personality, and I just love seeing it come out a little more every day.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that I want other moms to stop bragging about their little ones’ achievements. Believe me, as soon as Norah sleeps through the night for the first time every single person in the blogging/ facebook/ social media world will know about it.
I think it’s great that we share our victories with each other. I think it’s important that we celebrate them together. But, in order to do that, we need to come to a place of complete understanding and acceptance of one very important fact: my baby is not your baby, and that’s okay!
Don’t be discouraged if your baby is still waking up two, three, four times at night. Don’t panic if your baby isn’t rolling over by this time or crawling by that. Let your baby be who they are. Love them and encourage them. And, while you’re at it, encourage the other mamas around you. Celebrate with them. Cry with them. Feel their pain and their excitement. Because being a parent is hard and there’s no one-size-fits-all guide to raising a baby.
Your baby is perfect for you, and you are perfect for them. That’s why they’re your baby. I am the best person in the world to care for Norah. And she is and always will be my little girl. She’ll hit her milestones and in the blink of an eye, she’ll be walking, talking, running, going to school… If she wants to take her time, I’m okay with that. I’m just going to soak up every moment and be in that moment completely.
So, tell me mamas–What awesome thing did your baby do today? I want to celebrate with you!!
Working Mama: Update
So, I’ve been back at work full-time for 2.5 days. Thursday, Friday, and now Monday. How has it been going? It’s interesting you should ask. Because I’ve just been trying to figure that out myself.
On the one hand, it’s going pretty well. Pretty well for me, that is. Well, pretty well for me in the professional sense. Emotionally, I’m a wreck. And hubby? Well, poor hubby has his hands full. Oh, and, of course, the baby! She’s been struggling, to say the least.
So, as I sit here, pumping in my designated “lactation space,” I can’t help but reflect on my new life as a working mom. Here’s how I feel it’s going so far.
All you working mamas out there, let me know if this sounds familiar, please! Am I (we–my family) alone in our struggles? AND, as always, any advice you can share is so appreciated.
Keep ReadingMy First Weekend As A Working Mom
This weekend was my first weekend since being back at work. Man! Weekends as a working mom are very different from the weekends I’ve had throughout the rest of my life.
No staying up late with wine, pizza, and Netflix. No staying in bed all day Saturday. No relaxing Sunday curled up with a book.
Nope. My weekends are now split between playing catch up with the housework and (more importantly) catching up on snuggle time with my baby girl!
Keep reading11 Tips From a First Time Mom: Two Months In
Being a mom, I learn something new everyday. For example, yes, it does matter if baby’s diapers are on well. Cleaning poop off of her, her onesie, and let’s not forget the swing, is not fun.
It may not always be fun but it is always an adventure learning with my baby girl. It’s been amazing watching her grow. She really does change a little every day. She can do more now than she could a week ago. And don’t get me started on how different she is from the last time I wrote a “Tips From A First Time Mom” post (which you can find by clicking HERE).
Her needs are different now. So is my ability and capacity to meet them. I know her better. I’m more confident. I really feel like I’m getting the hang of this. Do I still have a lot to learn? Heck yes, I do! But, for now, I’m going to share what I’ve learned in the last month.
Here are my Tips From A First Time Mom: Two Months In
Keep ReadingMama Needs Some Me Time!
I’m tired more often than I’m not. I’ve come to accept that this is my new life. More than accept it, I’m learning to thrive in my new role as “Norah’s mom”. I’m balancing spending time with my baby, hubby, cleaning my house, (slowly) going back to work, and still hanging out with friends a couple hours here and there.
But, even though my life is going great, there is one aspect of my old pre-mama life that I miss.
I miss my me time.
So, I’ve decided to start making me a priority again. Here’s what I’m doing to get mama some much needed me time!
Keep ReadingRead This Before You Give Up On Breastfeeding For Good!
What are the biggest complications facing a breastfeeding mama? From what I’ve gathered, they are:
- Pain while feeding
- Baby not gaining weight
- Supply too low
If you’re a new mom, chances are you’ve faced one or more of these things. I suffered through all of them. It seems like every mom I met during the first few weeks of my baby’s life nodded with sympathy and understanding when I explained my breastfeeding woes. Many of them had given up on breastfeeding earlier than they wanted to. Some had soldiered on but talked about how much it hurt and how they were so thankful when their babies finally weaned.
That was not the experience I wanted. And I did everything in my power to make sure that was not the experience I would have.
I know how heartbreaking it can be to struggle with breastfeeding. I know how lonely and frustrating it is. But, I also know how rewarding it is to make it to the other side. If you’re considering giving up on breastfeeding, give me one post, one chance, to convince you to push through just a little bit longer. If anything, I want to give you hope. Tell you that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Let you know you’re not alone.
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