Hi friends!
Thanks so much for all your encouraging comments on my last post! I'm feeling much better and yesterday was a good day, which helped. A good friend of mine sent me one of those emails about mothering; an essay by Anna Quindlen. It was so beautifully written and really touched my heart. This section of the essay really sums up what I want to do with this blog and how I feel about having a child:
"But the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while
doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly
clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs.
There is one picture of the three of them, sitting in the grass on a
quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4 and 1.
And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and
how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish
I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner,
bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the
getting it done a little less.
Even today I’m not sure what worked and what didn’t, what was me and
what was simply life. When they were very small, I suppose I thought
someday they would become who they were because of what I’d done. Now I
suspect they simply grew into their true selves because they demanded in
a thousand ways that I back off and let them be. The books said to be
relaxed and I was often tense, matter-of-fact and I was sometimes over
the top."
I really want to treasure the "doing" more than the "getting it done." Even when things are hard or I really want to be under the warm covers, I try to let myself BE in the moment with Paige and really experience it rather than let my brain wish the time away or wander off to the next task just begging for the end of the day. This blog is a great way to document those moments and I hope to continue doing so as she grows! Happy Memorial Day to all!
6 comments :
It's good to reflect on the days that really challenge you, it makes you appreciate even more so the days that go smoothly :).
Paige is so beautiful, I love her blue eyes!
She looks exactly like her daddy!
I just wanted to tell you I have been keeping track of what you have been doing and I think you are doing great! Paige is beautiful (Paige was the middle name I had picked if I had had a girl). I have a 11 month old little boy (almost 1 year, how can that be?!) named Liam. You and I seem to be so much alike. I love your nursery, I first saw it on Ohdeedoh. Liam's nursery was posted on Ohdeedoh about 5 rooms after yours. We seem to have similar taste. Even as far as thoughts you have, I guess all moms have them, but I feel just like you sometimes. It makes me feel good to see I am not the only one. Everyone is going to tell you how fast it goes and it does, but try not to dwell on that too much and really enjoy your time with her. That is what I have tried to do with my little Liam. Best wishes with everything and keep up the good work on your blog, she will love to read it someday. Sincerely, Leanne
that is so awesome advice! thank you!! when she was screaming at 4 this morning i was thinking to myself i can't wait till she is 3 months old and sleeping more and not crying like this! but you are right, I need to be more in the moment and remember these awesome baby days I have with her! thanks ;)
when did her eyes go so green!!! they are gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing all the good and bad moments of motherhood! I'm sure one day I'm screaming my head off w/ our new baby I'll come back to your blog and re-read your little pearls of wisdom as a new mom :)
The pictures are lovely. Your blog has really touched me, and this entry especially made me wish I could remember the first months of my son. It just so happens this afternoon I was sitting here going "two hours til bath, then book, then bed, fewth".
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