Oh Baby!

Here I am, 10 weeks into motherhood, parked in my job’s parking structure. While I’m sitting there, all these questions start welling in my mind: Why did I choose to come back so early? How will my baby handle me being away from her for 12 whole hours? How will I handle it? As I’m walking into work, I try to look at the bright side: at least I’m back at work part time so I can spend more time off with her and at least I have a strong village to care for her in my absence. Smiling faces greet me as I walk onto my unit, and I’m so glad to see my work family after quite some time.

Being a first time mom–in all its wonderful, rewarding ways–is tough and exhausting. There are so many new things happening with your body, your mind, and your baby every single day! Your hormones are running rampant, you’re exhausted from the birthing process, you may be learning how to breastfeed, and above all, you’re introduced to frequent, loud crying in your once quiet abode.

Although there are ups and downs to every new mommy experience, and it may seem that there’s more lows than highs, it’s actually the opposite. Let me help you see some light amongst all the haze. You made it through the birthing process to meet the little one that’s been growing inside you for nine long months. Your baby doesn’t realize it yet, but you are the center of their world. You are able to see your baby grow and learn new things daily. There will be so many more stupendous experiences as you grow with your child, and when your days seem long, remember that the passing years will seem short.

You got this mommy! You are always the best mommy you can ever be to your baby. Be kind to yourself.