Loopdy-loops

I don't know what it is, something in the air, something in the water, but everyone I know is pregnant, and / or just had a baby.

Yeah? You too?

Seriously. Something's going on here!

I had the wonderful opportunity to go visit Mark and Bridgette's new beautiful baby boy in the hospital last night. Got to hold him, look at him, smell his yummy baby scent.

Because of it, I've been thinking a lot about my own experience. Pregnancy. Labor. Those first few seconds, hours and days after Wyatt was born. It was a whirlwind. There are so many emotions surrounding all of it, it's hard to put it into words.

You have to experience it for yourself to really get it.

The excitement, nervousness of pregnancy. The ANTICIPATION! It's almost a killer. All-consuming.

Labor. The culmination of months and months and months and MONTHS of hard work. It's different for every person, different every time. Slightly frightening (until it's happening, and then, well, it's happening. You don't think about it.). Painful. Totally worth every single second.

It's difficult. It challenges you in ways that you never even imagined. Cliche, yes, but true. Can you breastfeed an infant and eat dinner at the same time?

Yes, yes you can. You might drop a noodle or two, but at that age, they don't seem to care. Thankfully.

And while the first few weeks are certainly the most difficult, you do them. You get through it. And every single day you get better, you learn, you love it.

I remember when I went to the dentist, I sat in the hygienist's chair and we started in with the small talk. She asked me how old my baby was and when I told her he was 3 1/2 months old, she quickly replied, "Oh, trust me. It gets so much better."

I was slightly shocked, and totally relieved. I was smack dab in the middle of Wyatt's sleeping woes, was sometimes waking up half a dozen times or more, and was exhausted, in every sense of the word. But just as she said, it got better. Much better. Infinitely better.

He's still not sleeping through the night, but eh. Sleep. Psh. It'll come.

And it's funny because each stage is wonderful. Some easier than others, but fun in their own ways. I recently told my mom that so far, I think this stage, from about 5 1/2 months on, has been my favorite. He is so interactive, so funny, and we're beginning to see his personality, his sense of humor. It's so much fun.

At the same time, we were scrolling through old photos via my screensaver and ran across several pictures of when he was just born, when he was so very small. Caleb immediately turned to me and said that he missed it, and (joked) that he was ready for another baby.

While I may not feel that I am ready for another baby just yet, I knew exactly what he meant, and I am excited for when it IS time for us to have another baby. It's strange to even think about, Wy is still so young, but it's been such an amazing ride that I can't help but to feel like a kid on a roller coaster, wanting to get back on before  it's even stopped.

Comments

[Kjersti]

Wow. Really beautiful. I think you nailed it.

[Eliza]

You have such a gift for putting into words all these feelings I have about motherhood that I can't quite seem to articulate well! LoVe your blog and cute family :)

[Jess]

I needed this! And I'm sure I'll read it many more times in the coming weeks.

[mary elizabeth]

i agree -- pretty much everyone is pregnant or just had a baby.

beautiful post. i cannot wait until i enter the realm of motherhood.

[Abby]

I swear I commented on this last night, but who knows, I can't remember anything anymore.

Anyway, I love this post. It gets me VERY excited. And I can't wait for you to have your next one! Weehee!

Also..Wyatt. He's huge.

[Hilary]

I agree with Eliza. You put into words the whirlwind of emotions that I just can't seem to put into words. Thank you!

[Leslie]

Ditto to all. You are amazing with words and emotions. Motherhood is certainly the greatest experience! Hard, but so great!

Also, just to comment on your Twitter...Mia Michaels' piece did NOT get the jump for joy that I thought it should. I WISH I had DVR so I could watch it over and over. I loved Wade Robson's as well. Mia's was just fierce.

[Rachel]

Oh so very true! I was just telling Aleesha that I am just LOVING my tiny newborn, and she said,"Yea, I miss Zoe being tiny, but I love all of the things she can do now." I have tried to explain to my friend, who is expecting her first, just how it feels to be a mom, and I can't ever give it justice. I LOVE IT!!! It's all worth it.