Yesterday my sweet Quinn turned 9 months old. She has now been outside of my belly for as long as she was inside of it. I’m celebrating the end of one phase and the beginning of the next.
For me, having a baby basically consumes a year and a half of my life. Pregnancy wipes me out and sends my emotions into orbit. (This time last year—right before Christmas—I was more depressed than I have ever been in my life. I knew I was blessed and was so excited to be growing a baby girl, but I could not shake the clouds. It felt so real at the time, and I am beyond grateful to be out of that.) Then the months with a newborn involve the obvious sleepless nights and adjustment to being so completely needed once again (both of which are beautiful in their own right), as well as my efforts to get back into shape, bring my emotions out of orbit, and in general, find my new normal.
I feel like I’m there now, and so I’m looking at 2014 with a lot of hope.
My mind is already busily kicking around goals… (I’m going to become a hugger in 2014! Watch out world!) But I better not get too far ahead of myself. For now, it’s time to enjoy the Christmas season. To treasure the joy on my son’s face when he sees the snorkel mask Santa’s bringing him for Christmas. (Five-year-olds are awesome.) To drink more hot chocolate than I should and squeeze my happy baby as much as humanly possible. As they say, to do less and be more.
I’m going to sign off until after the new year to let you do the same. 🙂 I can’t wait to see you back here in 2014! I have big plans for the year.
Merry Christmas!
I, too, am looking forward to drinking more hot chocolate than I should 🙂 Wishing you and your beautiful family a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! Looking forward to Let Why Lead 2014!
Love you, Erica! Merry Chtistmas. How is she standing up in her crib already?! What a sweet girl.
Love you too, Mal! It’s been too long, but I always feel a connection with you just knowing that our stages of life are so similar. (Btw, I think I need another blog update from you so I can know what your family is up to these days!) Merry Christmas!
I feel so similarly! I am a completely different person when I am pregnant. My baby is just four weeks old and I am looking at those months ahead of me with excitement at feeling more like myself everyday.
Also, reading this post reminded me of the post you wrote about breastfeeding. I’ve had a very similar experience and it’s been rough this time around. So really thank you sharing your experience– it’s so personal, but I find it so comforting to know I’m not the only one in the low supply boat!
Thanks so much, Courtney! I seem to remember you being an encouragement to ME one of those times when I was struggling with supply. (I did with all three kiddos, so I don’t remember which one it was! 🙂 We put way too much pressure on ourselves as moms, and we’ll never get those first weeks and months back, so best wishes as you try to let yourself off the hook!
And I LOVE the hope and excitement of getting back to yourself after birth. I just can’t believe you’re doing grad school in addition to a newborn!!
That sweet baby girl of yours….Can’t wait to see more of you in 2014 Erica. You are blazing the trail. Rock on girlie! 🙂
Yes, I hear you! I just hit what I call “the magic time” with my baby — he’s six months old and finally I feel like myself again. (Nine months is even better, because it’s always where I started fitting into my usual pants again — nine months on, nine months off! Here’s hoping it works again with number four!!)
She sure is a cute girl. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
She is so, so sweet. And I love her name. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year with your family!
happy 9mo sweet girl! pregnancy & newborn was very hard for me emotionally and physically so I understand what you mean by finding your new normal. I think it is always changing as a mom. I feel like the normal I found with my baby is different than the normal I’ve found with my now 19mo old toddler. I wish you the merriest of Christmases and I hope you have the time to find your normal but don’t be too hard on yourself! 🙂 Looking forward to seeing your plans for 2014!
I’m so happy to hear you’ve reached your new normal, Erica. I remember when I got there with each of my girls. It’s a really great feeling. So full of hope. Merry Christmas and happy 2014! Blessings to you and your beautiful family!
She’s darling!! Love the dress! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2014! xo