Six-month-aversary

Today is Drew's six-month birthday. He can't eat cake, but his dad and I can, although we're too broke to actually buy one.

Here are a few things I've learned in six months of being a mother:

1. It is possible to survive for half a year without ever getting one single full night's sleep.
2. People who are not parents do not have a clue about what it's like. I thought I had a clue, before I became somebody's mother, but I didn't.
3. The first three months seem like they will never, ever end. After that, it seems like time whirls into light-speed and before you know it your child is cutting his first tooth and trying to crawl and you're going, "Huh, what happened?"
4. Whoever invented ponytail holders and elastic waistbands had to have been a mother.
5. I have gained a newfound appreciation for single mothers and for mothers of multiples. God bless all of you, I don't know how you do it.
6. I have discovered a new kind of love for my husband, who, in the past year, has seen me bloated and swollen in 9-month-pregnant misery, has seen way too much of my insides during the C-section, has seen me covered in regurgitated green beans and baby pee, has watched me cursing and red-faced-sweating trying to fit into my pre-pregnancy pants and still manages to find me attractive.
7. I have realized that my mom and dad are wonderful, wonderful people, even when they're irritated at me. They have dropped everything to be there for me when I needed them. I hope one day my son will say the same about me.
8. It is not possible to love anything like you love your own child. I've never really experienced what it would feel like to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you would give up your own life for somebody else. This is not a romantic feeling. This is a scary, heart-wrenching, gut-twisting feeling - knowing that you would do anything, literally, to keep your child safe from harm.
9. Things that used to be very simple, like going to the grocery store, suddenly become a tremendous undertaking, involving much manipulation of car seats, diapers, bottles and burp cloths.
10. The most peaceful I have ever felt is when my child is asleep on my shoulder, breathing softly on my neck.
11. I've learned that you should ignore all advice pertaining to your baby unless it comes from your pediatrician or your own mother. And even then, it may not be totally right.
12. No matter how many awards you win, degrees you earn or promotions you receive, you will likely never experience a greater feeling of accomplishment than when you successfully calm down your crying baby.
13. It is amazing to what lengths you will go to get a smile from your child.
14. There is no greater feeling of acceptance than that first moment when you realize your baby actually likes you and isn't just using you for food and diaper changes.

Happy six-month birthday Drew.

Comments

[ebeth]

how true is number 7?! my mother tells me all the time that i'm due for some payback. yikes.

i'd love to get together when we're in town! we land on monday and are there for two weeks, leaving on the 16th. drop me an email and let's plan. :)

[Sam]

Happy Half-Birthday Drew!

You're a great mommy lady.
Thanks for always making me feel better about myself.
Bug hugs!
Sam
(PS...The Stand is one of my favorite books! U have great taste!)

[nina]

Even though my baby is now six (speaking of light-speed time), I remember those early months very well, and everything on your list rings so true for me--well, except maybe the husband part, but that's another story. Glad I discovered you.