being a new mama . . . i learn something new everyday.
whether it is a bit of my babe's personality. or a new found strength i have.
or a more efficient way to pack my diaper bag. or mastering tasks using only one hand.
everyday. practically every moment. i learn something new.
there have been some ah-ha moments. some time saving moments.
some stress saving moments. some learning-to-love-my-boy-better moments.
& a whole lot of learning-to-love-myself-better moments.
those moments. the ones about loving myself better.
those have been hugely significant in this journey of becoming a new mama.
you see. loving your baby to the best of your ability comes naturally.
i am so in love with this boy that my heart could burst.
i love him with every ounce of myself & every fiber of my being.
loving him is easy.
its the loving myself as i learn to be a new mama that is challenging.
i am hard on myself. i critique myself. i doubt my ability. i doubt my strength.
i second guess my decisions. i mess up. i loose my patience.
i wonder if i am being a good mama.
but the truth of the matter is.
i am being a good mama.
i am being the best mama i know how to be.
and each day as i learn another little something . . .
i become more and more confident.
so as a new mama. i am here to share with you other new mamas
a few valuable things that i have learned along the way.
a few it's ok to . . .
a few just so you knows . . .
& a few other little tidbits.
it is ok to feel overwhelmed. flustered. & like you are no good at the mom thing.
you will have moments that you feel that way. and probably a lot.
but you will also have moments when you are so proud of your mothering skills.
you feel that you are doing everything right.
and you probably are.
it is ok to feel those pesky little post-partum emotions.
those tears. those anxious moments. those wild thoughts.
they do not mean you are weak. you are hormonal.
& that is totally normal. do not be ashamed of that.
those tears you cry after you have rocked your baby to sleep . . .
let each one of them be a reminder that your world has just been rocked too.
{unfortunately not rocked to sleep. that is tough to come by at first}
it is okay to leave your baby for a weekend away. or for a night out.
just because you are ok with leaving your babe does not mean you love him any less
than the mother who can't possibly leave her child.
it is just a matter of personality.
welcome those times to escape.
to reconnect with your hubs. to just relax.
just so you know . . . your babies most fave toys & teethers will be
something that you already have at home.
i have stocked baskets upon baskets with toys. stuffed animals. blocks. & so on.
and yet baby patrick's faves are as follows:
cell phone case. spatulas. tupperware lids. plastic cups.
we play really fancy around the mills house.
just so you know . . . you hardly need anything to raise your baby.
you do not need a wipe warmer. or a raised deluxe bath center.
you do not need half of the things out on the market. don't let it overwhelm you.
that being said. there are a few must-haves that i totally love.
a really good. loud. rainy. white. noise maker.
a super-duper comfy rocking chair.
the boppy for newborn months.
gripe water. works miracles.
& a few little giraffe blankets.
just so you know . . . you will change your crib sheets way more than anticipated.
stock up on those babies. unless you intend on doing laundry every other day.
just so you know . . . things are about to get down & dirty.
you will wipe snotty noses & poopy bottoms.
you will be tinkled on. a lot.
you will get tinkle. poop. or spit up on nearly all your clothes.
you will catch throw up in your hands.
so invest in a lot of soap & laundry detergent.
spin cycle is about to get crankin.
just so you know . . .
being a mother will be the most wonderful experience in the entire world.
i am only eight months in & i have already been filled with unmeasurable amounts of joy.
get ready to learn a whole lotta new somethings every day, mamas.
a lot about your baby. and even more about yourself.
i can promise . . . you are stronger. wiser.
& more in-tune motherly than you will ever give yourself credit for.
