As my youngest baby turns 7 months I have been spending a lot of time reflecting back on my pregnancies and beginning stages of motherhood. I have learned and grown so much since I was pregnant with my first and no matter how hard it all is, I would do it over again in a heartbeat.
Pregnancy was pretty good to me. Yes I got an enormous belly and everyone thought I was having twins, but aside from the back pain, I was one of the lucky ones. The sleepless nights of tossing and turning and getting up to pee can be rough, but I miss it now that it’s over. Second trimester is and still is one of my favorite times. So much energy and excitement around your growing belly.
I am far from an expert and still have many more years and stages ahead of me. All I know about this parenting thing is up to toddlerhood and even that is a big question mark to me. I have learned that there isn’t a perfect kid or parent. I have learned to appreciate the heartwarming moments and get through the tough ones. This too shall pass is my favorite mantra during a temper-tantrum.
For all of you new and or expecting mamas out there, you are in for the wildest and most amazing ride of your life. The advise I give every new parent is, the life you once knew is over and you will start a brand new life. It is okay to mourn your old carefree life, but now you will start a new life with a whole new persepective. It will be by far the most rewarding and filled with more love than you have ever known. It will take you to your highest highs and some of your lowest lows. It will make you feel alive. You will be able to accomplish more in 15 minutes then you ever did pre-babies. You will push yourself through the sleep depervation and still manage to cook a meal for your family. You will learn patience and understanding. You will clean up more bodily fluid you could ever imagine and still love your child with your whole heart. You will break up fights, clean up epic messes, do mountains after mountains of laundry, kiss scraped knees, hold crying and sick babies. You will be sneezed on, pooped on, peed on, threw up on, and live to tell the tale. You will worry about everything. You will laugh, scream, and cry. You will be hit, kicked, and polked. You will be hugged, kissed, and loved fiercely. You are now a Mom and it is by far the most rewarding and difficult job you will ever do. Welcome to the ever changing journey!
