Discovering Motherhood

As my baby boy's first birthday is quickly approaching, I just want to reflect on a few of the things I have learned in this beautiful wild ride called motherhood. I know, I know. I am still a first time mom and have only been one for a short while. What am I going to tell anyone when I haven't been at it very long? Well I can simply tell you what I have learned thus far. I've learned that "Time goes by fast" isn't just something everyone says to a new mother. It's the truest statement. Time truly goes by so fast. There is a way to make it feel a little slower though I have learned. In the first few months of my son's life, I rarely put him down. Maybe it was first time motherhood bliss, which I'm sure, but I knew that I didn't want to miss any opportunity to cuddle him a little longer, to allow him to fall sleep on my chest, or nurse as much as he wanted. Sure I had house work that needed to be done. I had laundry that could have been folded and dishes that needed washed. I can tell you I sure don't regret putting those things aside. It is sad to say that as the months have gone on I don't hold him as much or as long because that's the normal way of life. Life is busy, but I will never regret that first few months. All those precious newborn snuggles that I just don't get from him anymore. He is far to wild to sit still much anymore haha. I have also learned that for every stage that you think is so hard and you will never get through it, you will. Just hold on and before you even know it, you will be done with that hard stage and onto the next. I remember the first few months of his life, so much was changing. I thought I had one thing down and then the next thing I knew he was doing something new I had to figure out. My best advice is this too shall pass so just hold on. It will get easier. Since this is pretty long already I will end with this. Another key thing I have learned is that you don't need to follow another mom or even googles perfect schedule for your baby. Your baby will make their own schedule. Obviously you can change things where things are needed. After all you are the mother. Whatever makes things easier for you and your baby. I spent so much time trying to make sure my baby was on the perfect eating/sleeping/ playing schedule so that I made sure I was doing everything right. It stressed me out. It made it hard to enjoy my baby because everything felt so planned all the time. When I just let things be as they fell into place. Letting my baby tell me when they are hungry or sleepy, it made everything more enjoyable. Again I want to say schedules are good and they are necessary to an extent. I just say all of this to say what I have learned. It will be different for every mom and every child. These are just some of my thoughts and my perspective.