Motherhood

The last time I blogged was about six days before our sweet Hannah Elizabeth was born. She is now almost three months old. It has been the most crazy, growing, and special experience of my life. Hannah is such a joy. Sometimes I look at her and imagine what her life will bring her. I imagine her as being a strong woman who is a light to those around her. I feel so blessed and grateful that I get to be her mother. My heart has been opened. Motherhood is a gift.

I have learned that motherhood is no easy task. I knew it would be a learning experience but I would have not guessed I would have been stretched to the extent I was. Hannah having colic, me trying to heal from childbirth, lack of sleep, nursing issues, and my post-pregnancy hormones made those first weeks hard. Those weeks were some of my hardest but I can honestly say that they now hold a special place in my heart. It was the start of a new stage in my life. The start of something special. Although I continue to adjust, my new normal has settled in. I am so grateful for Jaren throughout this these last months. He has truly been my rock. His positive attitude, faith in me, and kind words help so much! My mom has been there every step of the way as well. Her example of motherhood has been my frame of reference as I have begun my own journey.

I've decided that things like Facebook, Instagram etc. make motherhood seem like it's perfect. The pictures/videos posted are obviously of the good times. Of course we don't post pictures of ourselves sleep deprived at 3 am or our babies with poop up their backs and spit-up down their fronts. What the posted pictures do say though, is that parenthood is something that brings joy and fills our hearts with more love than we thought possible. I am in awe of this whole experience and of this little girl who will one day call me Mom.