Dear Fellow Mom, Slow Down, Enjoy Today

I am currently suffering from newborn insomnia. Our fourth baby was born a month ago today! Good gravy has the time gone by quickly, and yet soooo slow! As I sat with my computer at midnight in-between another feeding trying to write something comprehensive, I had one phase go through my head: slow down and enjoy today.

For all my fellow mommies- I know you’ve been in my shoes. How you might wish you could go back and snuggle a newborn like I am now. And yet, while you miss that darling little person breathing on your chest, I bet you are thankful you aren’t tied down to a newborns constant demands. My to-do list is long and there is a little nagging voice in the back of my head telling me to get out of the rocking chair and get busy! Yet, I remember this phase will only last so long and now is the time to slow down and enjoy today.

Slow Down

How do you silence that nagging voice? You know, that little voice in the back of your head that says quit holding the baby, be productive! Sleep. Clean. Catch up on… Sometimes I think it’s best to listen to that voice and compromise. Decide what you want to do verses what is best for the house.

After I had my baby, several people asked how I was doing. I would reply with, we’re surviving but I’m exhausted.  Nine times out of ten, the response from friends was: slow down or nap when the baby naps. (Insert rolling of eyes) Yes, napping when the baby is asleep is ideal. But for my sanity, throwing another load in the washer or prepping dinner needs to be done too! And so the solution? Listen to the nagging voice! Then compromise with what you want and what is best for the house and do it.

Growing Up

When baby number four was only two weeks old our family prepared to head to my son’s soccer game for the first time. There was chaos as we tried to shove lunch down the kid’s throats before we headed out the door. We loaded the van of all the gear we could ever need, tied shoe laces, wipe dirty faces and all the while burp the baby… when I suddenly turned to my husband. Do you feel that? Hold still. Do you feel that? My husband rolled his eyes, What? I sighed, Completion. Our whole family is here- and we’re headed to our first soccer game as a family of six. Today was the start of the rest of our lives of running to soccer games and supporting one another-as a family of six.

Enjoy Today

Sometimes slowing down and enjoying today seems like an impossible task. Are there moments that I wish I could fast-forward? You bet!  Especially on the days when the baby can no be consoled and I have no idea why my two year old is crying- again. And when the only person in the world that can pour a drink is Mom-who is in the shower! Yet, dad is in the kitchen! Oh lanta! But, these little people, my little people need me!

Have you seen Adam Sandler’s movie Click? The movie is about a workaholic father that is given a universal remote that allows him to pause, rewind or skip past portions of his life. Sandler quickly discovers which parts are truly the best of his life.  If you haven’t seen this movie, you should.  Sandler’s style of movies are usually crude, but the message of the movie makes you think. Slow down fellow parent and enjoy today because before you know it- their childhood will be over.

One day this adorable newborn will sleep all through the night and I won’t wake up exhausted.  Someday soon my kiddies will no longer hold my hand to walk across the street and babble in words I can only guess what they mean. And one day, my family will no longer pack the whole changing table and kitchen sink to go to the soccer game.  One day things will be different. My children will be grown, won’t need me as much as they do now.  If memory serves me correctly I will miss these chaotic moments that accompany little people.  So dear mother, slow down and enjoy today- because they are worth your time to slow down for.

 

Trying to absorb the newborn- lifestyle woes,

Morgan