What I’ve Learned in a Year

How quickly a year passes. I’ve only had one year with my little munchkin but here is what I’ve got so far:

What I have learned in a year…

The Early Days…

Having your waters break for the first time brings on the strangest wave of emotion and it feels like you and your husband are the only human beings that count at that moment- you know something great is about to happen.
Contractions are indescribable.
You can hold still for an epidural.
Epidurals are wonderful.
Caesars aren’t as bad as I imagined.
Your Gynae becomes part of the family for a moment.
No matter what gunk you see on your freshly born child- he’s beautiful.
The hospital stay is not as happy as being at home- and here I asked for an extra day in the hospital which was not the greatest idea.
Being a mother is like a day in England: you can have all seasons in one day… serenity, anger, calm, irritation.
Breastfeeding really takes work!
Somehow you cope with very little sleep.
It’s never to early to start teaching.
Sometimes you can’t fight the desire to be superwoman: beds made, dishes done, dinner on the table, newborn baby peaceful but…you need to take the next day off to recover.
You love it when people stop to admire your little one.
Sometimes Dad just has to take over- you haven’t failed as a result!
Your body is not the most comfortable outfit. It just doesn’t seem your size.
Being outdoors is great therapy.
You photograph everything.
Your baby loves you! Can’t do without you! YOU!

After the early days:

People forget you’re still new at this.
Although life has changed, it’s still life and it’s pretty cool!
You start having fun with your little critter.
Baby starts showing great love for his dad- he’s allowed too!
You want to put every other sick child in quarantine.
Your baby will live if he eats grass, sand and dog food.
You don’t have to begin feeding him on the day of 6 months. Babes survive even if it’s before or after.
Your cupboards are never going to be the same again.
You take photos a lot.
Your heart feels warm frequently!
It’s difficult making a sandwich with one hand, but you learn.
Sometimes the moaning is just too much- GRRRRRR.
Not all food must be mush for a baby to consume.
Not all choking sounds need the Heimlich- babies are pretty good at dislodging food.
The “What to Expect in the First Year” book series does not have all of the answers.
People will always ask “why is he crying?”
Some good answers to “why is he crying?”… he’s tired, I think he’s coming down with something and my personal favourite, I don’t know!
You can be very much in love with your husband and be a mother- they both take time and effort.

The Mobile Days…

Babies tick to their own mobile clock.
You get a very good thigh-butt work out when he needs to hold your fingers to walk.
No matter how much he loves walking, he still loves to be held.
Just when you thought he couldn’t get any cuter…
HELLO PERSONALITY!
Disciplining starts sooner then you would imagine.
Books, books and more books.
Repetition, repetition, repetition.
They’re so quick now, you often miss photo opportunities.
I love routine.
A break from routine is great!
The outdoors is a great teacher.
Everything that is up, must come down.
I have eaten some really soggy things…hey, I want him to learn to share don’t I? It comes at a price.
Dads are naturally fun- I bet that’s why we married them.
It’s so natural to want to compare.
You need reflexes like a cat.
I prefer taking a break instead of needing a break.
How did this happen…I’m a mother to an almost one year old!!!!!