My blog hasn't been as hopping recently because I just don't have the energy. My wonderful husband so gently reminds me that I am, after all, 8 months pregnant. Somehow this always comes as a surprise to me. A hundred years of birth doulaing doesn't prepare you for the weariness, wackiness, and wonder of carrying a living being beneath your own heart.
I'm making lists by the dozens just to keep up with my spinning mind.
What to bring to the birth center, last minute Christmas decorations, Christmas gift lists, grocery lists, a list for my mother-in-law when she comes to offer much needed help after baby girl arrives, cleaning lists, a list of things needed to finish up the nursery...
It all can be a bit overwhelming for a first time mama- ok, lets be serious any mama.
What advice would you give for a mama in her 8th month? What do you wish you would have taken the time to do with those last few weeks before baby?
Leave some love in the comments- I'm really needing it today.
Jessica- This season is busy and comes with lots of to do lists and then you add a baby on top of that and I can only imagine how your lists are multiplied. I am sure others will tell you this as well ... but just take time over the next few weeks to relax. Enjoy time with your husband. Enjoy time by yourself. Enjoy sitting with your feet up. Enjoy a quiet house. I LOVE every minute with my boys but there are days I miss the simpler times of being a stay at home wife with no kiddos.
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica!
ReplyDelete"Rubies and Rewards" has just nominated you for a Liebster Award. I love your blog and have been inspired by your posts. This award is given by bloggers to fellow bloggers as a way to spread the word about blogs that we love and want to share. Check out my site on Wednesday 11/30 to see more about it and how you can nominate your favorite blogs!
Lindsay
I'm working on the relaxing part- it is not easy! Thanks for the reminder to just slow down and enjoy this time. You're so right this is a simpler time than the days ahead!
ReplyDeleteMy main advice is what you already said- give yourself grace. It will be okay. My first born came two months early. The nursery was still a den. My first baby shower was still 2 weeks away. But it was okay. A baby doesn't feel comfortable because his or her room looks pretty; a baby feels comfortable when he or she feels loved.
ReplyDeleteSo my advice is to get plenty of sleep, give yourself plenty of grace, and spend plenty of time with your husband.
And remember, no one- not gift recipients, not a future baby girl, not blog readers- knows has been planned in your head- we only know what we see. You may be disappointed because you don't reach the ideal, but we don't know those ideals existed. Stress too often comes from our own unmet expectations. If we let go of those, we let go of a lot of stress along with it.
After having three babies, I think I would have relaxed more and I think I would have done one simple project. I was so wrapped up in making lists and getting things done that I forgot to listen to my body, which made actually birthing my children a bit harder because I was already tired. I think I would have taught myself to knit to be honest and that sounds silly for sure. It was on the list to learn, but kept getting pushed aside. And I finally did when my youngest son was five! I'm praying for you daily, Jessica. For me motherhood is the coolest and hardest ride I've ever been on.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephanie for these hugely important reminders. It helps me to take a few deep breaths and let go of those expectations. I really struggle to give myself grace when my lists feel like they are getting longer. Thanks for the encouragement (and permission) to just let go! Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI'm really working on relaxing- I'm a birth doula so I know that it is important that I am well rested for my upcoming "marathon". I went to the library today and I checked out books and movies that I love and that make me laugh. I would love to laugh this baby out!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love that you would have learned to knit. I grabbed a sewing book today at the library- I know how to sew, but this was one that had some more advanced techniques/ideas in it. Nothing stressful, just fun.
Thank so much for the prayers- I feel as if I am being buoyed along by so many prayers these days.