Emme is 11 months now, and with her first birthday approaching (say what?!) I've become a bit more organized with my thoughts, which are simple enough to just say. I love being a mom. Hardest job there is, that's for sure. But I love it. That wasn't the case 11 months ago, because I'll tell you, I didn't like being a mom those first 3 months. I don't think it makes me (or anyone for that matter) a bad person to say it. Because guess what y'all...those first few months are tough! Emme was so fussy then. I never thought I'd live to see the day when it would all end. For reals.
When I was pregnant I couldn't wait to be a mom. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but it turned out to be way harder than I imagined (I'm sure hormones had something to do with that...right??). People tell you it's tough, but they don't tell you it's a 24-hour job. I'm smart--but evidently naïve--because I never thought about it that way. Talk about a life adjustment! In a matter of hours your life totally changes and you're suddenly responsible for this little being. I remember giving myself pep talks just minutes before walking out of the hospital. I mean, if 18-year olds are doing this, then I'm more than capable of taking care of a baby at the age of 35, right?!
At some point you come out of your haze, you get into a little bit of a routine (and finally recover from your C-section), and then life becomes good again. The good thing about being a parent is you don't have to be perfect. And guess what? You don't have to enjoy every last waking second either. I haven't talked to anyone who enjoys changing poopy diapers a million times a day (okay, maybe some people do). Or tantrums because you took them out of the shoe box you thought it would be funny to sit them in (true story--although, really, that was funny). But for all those tiring, not-so-fun moments are some really good ones. Even those times when dinner runs reeeaaaaallly long (because it takes little people a long time to eat you know!). I won't get back yesterday, so watching her eat mini pieces of chicken--at paces slower than a turtle--has become one of my favorite things lately.
I recently spent a couple of weeks as a single mom, as the husband has been out of town for work a lot. Oh, and two weeks ago (in the husband's absence) Emme and I were both sick with colds. It was hard, yo. But guess what? It was also awesome to have all that time together, just she and I. The husband took over the whole bedtime routine when he got home--bath, book & bottle. I guess I should have taken the time to enjoy a break, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it. The last couple of weeks have been loooooong, but our little routines of the week are pretty cool.
Emme is getting big now. Less baby like, and looking more and more like a toddler. She's becoming a cool little person, who I enjoy spending time with more than some adults. She's a lot like me, sassy and spunky (lord help us), but super loving. Hugs are a big thing right now. She gives them out freely. Does it get better than that? I think not, my friends. She's fast--cruising along with her little walker, but prefers to crawl instead when she really needs to get somewhere (it's easier that way!). She's funny too. For some reason her stinky feet and socks are hil-arious! And we can always count on an episode of 'Word Girl' and a side-kick dancing monkey to make her laugh, each and every morning. I love all of these moments, but I find myself looking at her & wondering what kind of person she'll grow into, what she'll look like in a year (or two or three...), and what funny things will come out of her mouth (and what she'll sound like!). I'm so sad that she's growing up, but I can't wait to watch it all happen.
I should also mention that since becoming a mom, I'm reading a lot more mommy-minded blogs too. Especially from bloggers with little ones of similar age. I guess I just relate more to these people vs. trendy fashion-minded bloggers (although, maybe I should still keep reading those...I could learn a thing or two sometimes...). I've become especially obsessed interested in bloggers who talk about what their toddlers are eating. Call me a crazy coo coo nut, but I'm way into what other kids are eating & what I can and should be feeding the little one. I menu plan for her like no one's business. But us? Not so much. The husband told me the other day that she eats better than we do. And that's the sad truth!
Anyway, all of this is just to say how much I love being a mom. There are a million more stories I could tell & ways I could say it, but I think you get my point. This is awesome.
