Monday, February 21, 2011

Lessons From Motherhood



Can you believe this picture was taken over 12 weeks ago?  Our little peanut has most definitely moved out of the newborn stage and interacts with us more and more each day.  Although it is a very exciting time developmentally, it also comes with a new challenge- tomorrow I head back to work.

Right now I can't imagine what this is going to look like until it plays out.  I do have to admit, I have taken full advantage of the laziness relaxation that maternity leave has provided for our lives and it's probably about time to be a little more productive with our time.  My mojo is starting to come back and I am making lists again.  It was nice to have a couple months free from lists, but they seem necessary again.

This also means that it's time I stop only knitting cute little baby things for Elise- and start writing out some patterns.  By the end of this week I hope to have the Baby Mitts written out and ready for test knitting/tech editing.  I would also like to be more consistent with the blog- 3 posts a week and no less (we'll see!).

Today Elise will spend the day cuddled up in my arms. Waketime, naptime, feeding- it doesn't matter what the books say- it's our last day together and I will cherish every moment of it, just as I have cherished every moment of the past 12 weeks.  Here's a few things I've learned in the best 12 weeks of my life:



  • I don't care how many times I hear it- breastfeeding does NOT help the baby weight come off.
  • There is nothing more natural feeling than a baby on my hip- I love it.
  • Sleep deprivation is not the problem I figured it would be.  It's much easier to wake from sleep when there is someone immediate looking for attention.  
  • I never expected to feel this amount of joy in being so needed.  Elise knows when I'm around and prefers me to others.  That's a little selfish of me to love so much, but I can't help it!
  • When a toothless grin is what you wake up to- every morning seems a bit like Christmas- despite how tired you really are, it's still exciting to get up.
  • I probably would not have been able to survive motherhood 10 years ago.  Seriously... what would I do if I could not type any question I have in to Google?
  • Elise is my favorite duet partner-her coo's are amazing,  there really is no sweeter sound on earth.
  • I can knit much faster without a baby on my lap, but where's the fun in that?

28 comments:

  1. Awwwwww,what a lovely post. Congrats on such a lovely life!

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  2. So glad you're loving motherhood. I hope your transition back to work is smooth. (And oh, Elise is such a cutie!)

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  3. What a beautiful post! Thanks very much for sharing. As a young newlywed hoping to start a family soon I really loved reading this. It makes me realize how much I have to look forward to!

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  4. It goes too quickly. Good luck tomorrow!

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  5. Wow, already back to work. It'll be quite the adjustment, you'll miss her like crazy, but stay strong, it gets easier.
    Interesting lessons, I did not even know there was a hip position...the football hold worked for me. And I know what you mean, time flies, I can not believe mine is 3 years old already!!!

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  6. I really appreciate your comment about Breastfeeding. So true! I was in your shoes what feels like yesterday, but was actually over two years ago! The first few weeks are hard and great at the same time...you get to interact with adults (!) but you have to leave your little one. It truly does get easier every day...good luck tomorrow!

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  7. That is one of the best blogs I've read in a long time!

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  8. You look happy. I'm so glad that this is so satisfying for you. I've never had a child, but I've been head over heels in love with a few. I can only imagine it's more when the baby is yours.

    Thanks for the post. Wonderful.

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  9. Good luck with the first day back to work. I agree with you about the toothless grins. I cried when my son got his first tooth because I was upset that the toothless grin was gone.

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  10. Awe. Good luck tomorrow. I can only imagine how difficult it will be.

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  11. This is such a wonderful post! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and observations on motherhood...I'm very close to being there myself so really appreciate hearing how you've felt about those first weeks. I'm very glad to hear that the sleep deprivation isn't as bad as it sounds...but a little bummed to hear about the breastfeeding/weight loss correlation. :) Anyway, you and your daughter look beautiful and so happy! And good luck with your return to work!!

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  12. Best wishes as you start the next process. I had to go back to work very quickly (less than 12 weeks) with my first baby and then again with my twins (born when big sis had just turned 3). No family nearby and no in home care could be worked out so they were day care kids. And you know what? It did work. They had all their big milestones when they were home with us: first steps, first teeth, first words...all saved up for us. They never preferred the day care people to us. And they have grown up to be delightful, lovely, self reliant women who still love their parents (and still prefer their mom!!!).

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  13. So so sweet! My friend just had a baby last week and they/we called him Peanut throughout the entire pregnancy! So cute, Elise is darling!

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  14. Thanks for sharing your joy. From experience, I can tell you that it will be a very tough few weeks, because you will miss Elise a lot. But it will get better, so hang in there!

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  15. Awww, motherhood looks good on you. Sweet post and your baby is adorable.

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  16. You and your baby are so beautiful. I found your blog a few months ago and I have marveled at your knitting - knitting so many things while having a newborn! I work full time and I do not have a lot of time to knit. My favorite things to knit are things for my granddaughters who are 3 and 1.

    Good luck on your first day back to work. Is this knitting blog/business your work?

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  17. Good luck on your first day back to work. I remember those days...they were a little tough but you will soon make new routines and it gets easier :)

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  18. Tomorrow will be the hardest day of your life. I'll keep you in my thoughts. You're the second person I know who is returning to work tomorrow (how strange is that?). Just keep remembering that smile that will be there at the end of the day!

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  19. What a sweet post. You are such a good mommy. Good luck being back today. I hope it goes very smoothly.

    Beautiful Florida photo.

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  20. She's beautiful! And you're absolutely right - breastfeeding doesn't necessarily melt away the baby pounds. I remember being so incredibly hungry when I was breastfeeding my daughters. I remember a funny moment: my brother is very tall - 6'4" - and thin and he's always hungry. One evening when one of my daughters was a baby he was visiting and we all went out for dinner. I finished my plate and then looked hungrily at his. His eyes were wide as saucers as he watched me wolf down the rest of his dinner. (= t.hee.

    Good luck tomorrow! Hope the transition goes as smoothly as possible.

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  21. Good luck as you go back to work! I hope it will be an easy transition for you. That was an emotional time for me! Also, give it some more time with the breastfeeding/ weight loss. You have to be patient! With both of my boys, I still couldn't get into my regular jeans when I went back to work, but ended up 10+ lbs lighter than my pre-preggo weight by the time they were one... on a diet/ exercise regimen that included full fat ice cream at least 3 x's/ week and breastfeeding!
    Elise is beautiful and you look like you are really enjoying being a mom! Keep up the good work!

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  22. It sure isn't a very long time to be able to stay home, I had to go back at 3 wks, many ,many yrs ago, but now in Canada you have 8 months to a yr off.......
    Good luck tomorrow.......!

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  23. Elise is a beautiful baby and sounds like she has a beautiful mommy as well!! Children are one of God's greatest gifts.

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  24. Despite what everyone says I didn't loose the baby weight until after I stopped breast feeding. You look amazing though. I gained 60 pounds and I carried it everywhere, my shoulders got broader, my face didn't even look the same.

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  25. 6 months (of breastfeeding) is required if you want the baby weight to vanish. That's what they told me, and it happened! After 9 months I lost even more and I'm still eating big plates filled with food.
    Anyway, I love your blog and hope it'll work out wonderfully for you and your little one. Take care.

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