1. Nursing does not necessarily come naturally to mom or baby. Sometimes you have to work really really hard at it and be really really dedicated for it to work out.
2. Yes, it is true and normal: sometimes you don't truly love your child until they are a few months old, and that's okay.
3. Ultimately, you get to decide how to raise your child and what you will do for them. Books, friends and relatives may disagree, but you have to do what's best for your family and that is sometimes different than what anyone else would do.
4. Rarely does a child turn out like they say in books. People who write parenting books probably don't have kids.
5. Being weepy for a year is probably par for the course. Thinking about your child growing up and doing new things will most certainly bring tears to your eyes. As will sentimental songs and commercials. (Even at inconvient times like at work during staff meetings)
6. Working part time (for me) has been a great comprimise, which 5 years ago I never would have dreamed I would have done.
7. Kids are resilient and will bounce back. Thankfully, too, they don't remember their first few years and some of the mistakes you made when you were at whits end.
8. When she was younger I should have slept when she slept and enjoyed the hour long nursing sessions. Housework and chasing a mobile baby would be there in a few months.
9. Your child will reach milestones when he/she is ready. Sometimes that's sooner than other kids, sometimes later, and sometimes right on time. It's all good.
10. It's not just a nice saying; you really would give your life for your child.
11. Sometimes you love your child so much it actually hurts.
12. Despite it being hard, despite the many many tears (from all involved), despite losing your "old" life (at least for a while), I would never ever trade Anne for anything in the world. (New parents: This will one day be your feeling as well, though right now it might not seem like it.)
Happy 1st birthday my beloved, precious girl. I can't wait to see what the rest of your birthdays will hold for you.
3 comments:
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Anne, happy birthday to you! And happy anniversary of giving birth to mama! I've been thinking of you guys all day, remembering a year ago. I love your 12 things. I wonder what next year's will be?
April, I LOVE this list of 12 things. . . so very true and well-written, too. Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Anne!
This is my favorite post of yours & one of my favorite mommy blog posts ever. Thanks for sharing all of this. It's all so true. What a lucky girl Anne is to have a mama like you.
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