My fellow mom friends would always remind me to enjoy every second of my pregnancy, even at the end when you feel like a whale, you’re super uncomfortable, and it feels like you’re dropping everything; dreading having to bend over and pick it up. It truly is a feeling like no other (that I often times do miss), to feel your baby move, having hiccups, and kicking you in the ribs – all from inside. My pregnancy flew by, and I can honestly say I wish I had maternity pictures taken – especially since my husband and I don’t plan on having another baby – but I can vouch for the female body being simply amazing!
Those same mom friends would always remind me to also enjoy every second once the baby arrived. Of course I was going to, but did I really need to be reminded to do so constantly? It turns out the answer to that a question is: YES!
For the entire nine months I carried this precious gift I was nervous, anxious, and excited to become a mother for the first time. Then, on August 10, 2018, at 1:37pm, my daughter made her debut. I’ll never forget the rush of emotion of seeing her beautiful little face for the first time. Tears; lots of happy tears! And an instant loving bond for someone you’d do absolutely anything for.
Fast forward 14 months later and everything from our first night home, to waking up in the middle of the night for feedings, seeing her first smile, hearing her first laugh, helping her through the discomfort of teething, saying her first words, celebrating her first birthday, and watching her bond with her daddy (just to name a few) has gone by in the blink of an eye.
I have indeed enjoyed every single moment, but when I look at a Facebook memory from just a year ago, it is mind-boggling how quickly time flies. I feel like I just came home from the hospital with her. Now I can with one hundred percent certainty say I know what all of my mom friends were talking about. Our babies will never be as little as they are in this moment.
It’s OK to be tired the next day because your little one needed you in the middle of the night. It’s OK to get frustrated when they throw their food on the floor (at every meal). It is OK to be a little upset that their first word is “dada.” And it’s OK to cry like a baby when they start daycare. And it is most definitely okay to want them to stay little – for just a little longer.
Unfortunately, I have yet to find the secret to slowing time down, so my biggest piece of advice is to seriously enjoy every second. Take LOTS of pictures and videos; even if your spouse (like mine) thinks it is complete overkill to set up special photo shoots, or to try to get the perfect picture after 20 attempts. This will help you re-live those special moments, which are only here for a split second.
