While I take some time to bond with my little man, please enjoy guest posts written by moms and moms-to-be from some of my favorite blogs. Today, I’m happy to introduce one of my besties, Jessica, who doesn’t have a blog…yet!
Hello, I’m Jessica. PJ and I have been friends for 13 years. I can’t believe it has been that long – seems like yesterday, I chose PJ as my little sister in our sorority. Well, maybe not yesterday. Life has certainly changed since those carefree days in Boston. I am now a wife and mother of a 1-year old son (Mr. A) and 2-year old golden retriever (Mia Girl). We live in the suburbs about an hour outside of New York City.
While PJ is getting acquainted with her new little man, I volunteered to share some of my motherhood experiences – the good, bad, ugly and just downright crazy!
A few weeks ago, we celebrated my son’s first birthday. My husband and I spent each hour replaying the events of the year before. Yes, the memory of my 27 hours of labor is still quite vivid.
We took Mr. A to his favorite restaurant for blueberry pancakes. It was a great day. The weather was perfect and thankfully he took his morning nap and was in a great mood for his birthday lunch. I had a smile on my face all day. However, I have to admit that my celebratory mood was a bit more about me than him.
I did it! I successfully survived his first year – and it felt real good.
I was not even close to being prepared for how challenging the first year of motherhood turned out to be. At every turn, I doubted my own capabilities and patience. Was I really cut out to be up all night with a crying baby, have spit up and poop fly at me at 3am, sit in our living room day-after-day playing with the same toys? These questions still haunt me.
Every night before I go to bed, I check on Mr. A sleeping soundly in his crib (it was a LONG 8 months before he slept through the night…we’ll save that experience for another post!). Watching his sweet face for just a few minutes often gives me the fuel I need to recharge. During those moments, I simply get to enjoy him.
I loved Mr. A the moment he was born but I have to admit that it has taken me his entire first year to really appreciate him and enjoy his presence in my life.
As I finally climb into bed and get comfortable, Mia Girl (all 65lbs of her) jumps in and snuggles up as if to say “my turn now” … a mother’s job is never done!
{image of Mr. A’s first birthday party courtesy of Jessica}
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