The last time I wrote, I had no idea what was coming. I had no idea the sleepless nights, the stretch marks, the pain, the frustration, the love, the joy, the cuteness, the craziness, and the obscene amounts of caffeine that motherhood suddenly throws on you at the drop of a hat. One second all you can think is "Get this thing OUT of ME!!!" acting like a moron trying to summon all your strength into those final moments that you think will FINALLY make you skinny, and sane again. (After all. Those pregnancy hormones... the insane, and irrational things that they are.) When Suddenly. As if a switch was flipped in your chromosomes, in your DNA. Suddenly. Instantly. All you can think about is your baby.
For me, I had a plan (as I always do.) my baby would not have her first bath until at least a week old. She would start breast feeding within the first hour of her existence. She would cry. She would hold my finger in her precious little hand. But, like most my plans, God heard and said "Sorry. I have more in store for you, your family, and your little one." and my plans were dashed within that single moment. All my plans for starting my babies life out were gone. She came out un-responsive, and was rushed to the NICU. As if to say "Hey. Welcome to Motherhood, where nothing goes your way. Ever." Thinking on my feet, and go with the flow have never been my strong suites. But I've had to learn that pretty much nothing goes the way you want it to. But God is good, and will supply you with good friends, and a good church, so you are able to go at this life head on, and with a little support.
Anyway, I digress. It seems like when you're pregnant, everyone and their dog has something to say about it. Even complete and total strangers at the grocery store. And no-one seems to say what you need to hear, because even you don't really know what you need to hear (After all, you are new to this). So, if you're going to be a new parent, I'm not going to tell you what you think you need to hear. Because you've probably heard it all already. You've heard all the terrifying stories about how someone needed an emergency C-Section. How Someone went into shock, and shook all over while their baby was coming at 28 week's gestation. How if you sleep on your stomach you'll crush the baby. And my favorite: You're eating to much Sugar! You're baby is going to be hyperactive!
(I probably ate at least one candy bar a day, and my baby is the calmest little person you'll ever meet. Babies are different. The baby doesn't eat everything you do. That's not how the placenta and umbilical chord work.) Do yourself a favor, and don't listen. Don't make the mistake I did, and get all wrapped up in what people say. If you fight that battle now, you won't have to fight it later. Everyone only has more to say once the baby comes. And believe me, they have way more material to work with! If you don't feel like you need to sleep while the baby is sleeping. Don't. Take the opportunity to get something done, because you will kick yourself if you don't. If you feel like you need to lick your babies face. Do it. It's your baby, and no-one else knows what is best for them except you. (You might get teased pretty sorely about licking your baby... but, no judgment here.)
The most important piece of advice I can give you is not to loose yourself. Your little baby depends on you. And if you can't depend on yourself, your baby has no real ground to stand on. Don't loose your desires, or your ambitions. You might have to put something on hold for a while, but don't forget yourself and what you want to do. Your life as a mother is important, yes. But your life as a person is important as well. Don't forget that.
All this to say: Don't make plans. Don't lose yourself. And don't listen to people. Enjoy your journey into motherhood. Because even though it seems to go very slowly, it is the fastest most memorable journey you will ever encounter.
For me, I had a plan (as I always do.) my baby would not have her first bath until at least a week old. She would start breast feeding within the first hour of her existence. She would cry. She would hold my finger in her precious little hand. But, like most my plans, God heard and said "Sorry. I have more in store for you, your family, and your little one." and my plans were dashed within that single moment. All my plans for starting my babies life out were gone. She came out un-responsive, and was rushed to the NICU. As if to say "Hey. Welcome to Motherhood, where nothing goes your way. Ever." Thinking on my feet, and go with the flow have never been my strong suites. But I've had to learn that pretty much nothing goes the way you want it to. But God is good, and will supply you with good friends, and a good church, so you are able to go at this life head on, and with a little support.
Anyway, I digress. It seems like when you're pregnant, everyone and their dog has something to say about it. Even complete and total strangers at the grocery store. And no-one seems to say what you need to hear, because even you don't really know what you need to hear (After all, you are new to this). So, if you're going to be a new parent, I'm not going to tell you what you think you need to hear. Because you've probably heard it all already. You've heard all the terrifying stories about how someone needed an emergency C-Section. How Someone went into shock, and shook all over while their baby was coming at 28 week's gestation. How if you sleep on your stomach you'll crush the baby. And my favorite: You're eating to much Sugar! You're baby is going to be hyperactive!
(I probably ate at least one candy bar a day, and my baby is the calmest little person you'll ever meet. Babies are different. The baby doesn't eat everything you do. That's not how the placenta and umbilical chord work.) Do yourself a favor, and don't listen. Don't make the mistake I did, and get all wrapped up in what people say. If you fight that battle now, you won't have to fight it later. Everyone only has more to say once the baby comes. And believe me, they have way more material to work with! If you don't feel like you need to sleep while the baby is sleeping. Don't. Take the opportunity to get something done, because you will kick yourself if you don't. If you feel like you need to lick your babies face. Do it. It's your baby, and no-one else knows what is best for them except you. (You might get teased pretty sorely about licking your baby... but, no judgment here.)
The most important piece of advice I can give you is not to loose yourself. Your little baby depends on you. And if you can't depend on yourself, your baby has no real ground to stand on. Don't loose your desires, or your ambitions. You might have to put something on hold for a while, but don't forget yourself and what you want to do. Your life as a mother is important, yes. But your life as a person is important as well. Don't forget that.
All this to say: Don't make plans. Don't lose yourself. And don't listen to people. Enjoy your journey into motherhood. Because even though it seems to go very slowly, it is the fastest most memorable journey you will ever encounter.
Welcome to Motherhood!
Don't Blink.
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