From my posts on breastfeeding to lack of sleep to feeling frumpy nonstop to weight loss struggles, becoming a new mom has been challenging at best. If you're one of those lucky ladies who found their groove with new-mommydom right away, good for you. Maybe I'm a bit slower on the learning curve, but it took me
Looking back on when Henry was a brand-new-born is bittersweet. He was so tiny and those moments were precious; but I would not return to the newborn phase if you paid me lots and lots of money. I was exhausted and my nipples hurt and my abs weren't in the same place and I didn't know what Henry wanted when he cried and I wanted to take our dogs to a shelter because caring for them was nearly too much and I was Just. So. Tired.
Now, motherhood is a completely different story! It's enjoyable. I know what Henry wants before he even starts to fuss for it because we have a nice little routine going. He coo's and "talks" and responds as opposed to just lying there with all kinds of needs. Mornings are the absolute best, because this little guy is always in a good mood, and we play and talk together as I sip my coffee.
Morning giggles in our jammies |
The dogs have adjusted to having a baby in the house too, and are back to their normal, well behaved selves. Henry has just started to notice the dogs, and I can't wait to see them play together!
A lot of "mommy blogs" fall into two categories: the "It's All Sunshine and Rainbows" camp where they only share all the lovely, wonderful parts of motherhood. Their children are always well dressed and their lipstick is always on. Yeah, right! Or the "Scary Mommy" camp, where they jokingly complain about all the terrible parts... But they complain nonstop. From vomit to diper-blow outs, they make being a mom sound like a nightmare! Also not true. My goal for Mommy Monday posts was to be as real as possible, and share the struggles along with the bright spots.
Henry has gotten good at afternoon naps while mommy blogs |
Well, the newborn phase certainly had many, many struggles for me, but I'm so happy that Lil' H and I have found our groove, and the vast majority of days are indeed full of sunshine, rainbows and butterflies these days.
I'm going to enjoy it while I can because those "terrible two's" are going to come up quick!
"Oh, me? No way, I could never be a terrible two year old!" |
Sweet little H. I love that last picture of him. He's such a sweetie!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your "real world" approach at motherhood. It's nice to know someone who can be honest about it.
Isn't that pic adorable?! And thanks! There are many things I can tolerate in life, but fake people is not one of them!
DeleteI'm so happy to read about a Mom who actually tells it like it is. Too often these blog mommies make it look so easy, but like everything in life there's a balance of good and difficult.
ReplyDeleteExactly! I think sometimes mom's are scared to tell people how hard it is, and how much you "wing it" because you have no idea what you're doing. Not me! I'll tell everyone: "Hi, my name is Paige, I'm a new mom, and I have absolutely no idea what the heck is going on. I'm lucky if I've showered in the past 48 hours. So yes, that smell would be me."
Deleteaw he is such a cutie. to be honest i am terrified of having a baby because i know its hard. i read a few 'mommy blogs' and i like a few of them but the 'sunshine and rainbows' ones are so intimidating, and the more 'real aka complaining' ones are even more scary haha.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Yeah, it's hard. Sometimes the real ones can be quite funny, but I usually never enjoy the sunshine and rainbows mom-blogs. Maybe I'm just envious that they had a minute to put on lipstick, while I'm just over here covered in diaper rash ointment, ya know?!
DeleteI for one think it's amazing that you're writing about your truth for the first few months!! Being a new mother is hard - it's really hard and while I haven't experienced it first hand - I have seen my sister do it three times, and the first time was the hardest as her emotions were totally all over the place and she just wasn't sure she was doing everything right!! Looks like you're doing a pretty fantastic job!!
ReplyDeleteThanks lady! Right when I think I've got the hang of it, I realize that I just ran errands with a nice smear of Henry's dirty diaper on my dress. Yup, that happened today.
DeleteOh well. Sometimes you just gotta laugh at yourself!
What a cute baby boy! You can only be thankful that he's always in a good mood to help brighten your mood even in the mornings!
ReplyDeleteThanks Emily! Yes, I'm so grateful that he's a happy camper in the mornings! It makes life (and getting up/out of bed) much easier.
DeleteHe is so cute! Its fun watching him grow. We all find our groove eventually. I think some of the blogs focus on the sunshiny happy days because they are afraid to be honest but we as moms know what the reality of it all is. Motherhood aint pretty lol
ReplyDeleteThank you! And goodness, no; motherhood aint pretty! :)
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