Motherhood Musings

Since this little blog is my attempt to document our lives, here are a few things that I've learned in the past year.

People say really stupid things to you when you're pregnant.  Not sure why complete strangers feel the need to ask you if you are planning on breastfeeding.  If somebody tells you that you're carrying like its a boy, take it as a compliment.  If somebody tells you that you're carrying like it's a girl, that's code for you have a really fat ass. 

I always thought that I would never let the baby leave my sight while I was in the hospital.  Hell to the no on going to the nursery.  I changed my mind very quickly that first night when my eyes hurt so bad  from trying to keep them open.  I had no problem letting my brand new baby spend a few hours in the nursery while I napped.

I feel like I was jipped out of the birth experience I had dreamed about.  I hate that I had a C-section although it was necessary since it was clear after 17 hours that Audrey wasn't coming on her own.  I spent those 17 hours staring at the little baby warmer, picturing her slimy little body on my chest, wondering when it would be time to push, planning what my first post birth meal would be.   Instead I was strapped to a table in the OR, crucified with my arms out like Jesus on the cross, vomiting on myself and my husband, shaking like a scared little puppy.  I know in the end I got my perfect little baby, but I still feel ripped off. 

Confession time.  I judge those who continue to use the big, fluffy bumpers in cribs.  When I see a picture posted of these bumpers in a crib, I think, are you really going to keep those in your crib?  Have you not heard of SIDS?  I'm pretty laid back in this parenting thing, but SIDS is the one thing that scares the crap out of me. I'm constantly checking Audrey when she's sleeping to make sure she's still breathing. 

I wish I could say that people quit saying stupid things to you after the baby comes, but that's a lie.  It gets worse.  People can't process that we're thinking about having another one sooner than later.  You need to spend time with this one, she deserves it they'll say.   Or another favorite.  Don't you feel guilty that your child is in daycare?  No actually, I don't.  While the choice for me to continue working was pretty much made for me, I choose to see the best in the situation.   I believe a little separation from your little one can be healthy.  I enjoyed being home on my maternity leave, but damn did I miss having adult conversations with my friends at work.  I realize that we're extremely blessed to have such wonderful childcare available to us and not all people are as lucky, hence day care getting a bad rap.   Stay at home moms (some, not all) will say they could never have someone else raise their child.  They could never miss out on that much time in their child's life.  They would be devastated if God forbid an important milestone happened away from home.   Whatever.  I'll stop there because I don't have the energy to go on about this hot topic in the mommy wars.

Tonight, I spent about 30 minutes watching Audrey try to roll from her back to her tummy. She's been going from tummy to back for a while but has yet to mastered the other way.  She'd get about 3/4 of the way there and then roll back onto her back.   She'd laugh at herself each time she almost made it.  She never did roll all the way over tonight.  Maybe she'll do it tomorrow or maybe she's already done it at daycare and I missed one of her "firsts."  Life will go on!