How being a mama has changed me

8:16 AM

I've been someone's mama for three months now. Birdie is asleep next to me as I write this and there are little traces of her all around the room. To be honest there's little traces everywhere. There's a tiny blue shark in an empty bathtub, there is a pair of wee little red tights on the floor next to it, an opened package of diapers sits on the dresser next to a bag of little girls clothes waiting to be unpacked from the weekend, a towel drying on the tub, a baby bottle hidden here and there a package of wipes, a binky, a blanket...
The old me would have a heart attack simply reading over a list like this. The old me thrived on being organized, clean and... well perfect. I loved the way our house felt when it was all scrubbed down, everything put away and not a speck of dust to be seen. I loved bins and boxes and labels and tiny little containers for everything. I liked for things to be lined up, folded away and symmetrical. And then I had a baby. And oh my gosh, those words most definitely do not describe our house anymore. And you know what?! I don't mind one bit.
Because I'd rather spend that extra moment splashing in the tub with my baby instead of washing it. I'd rather spend too much time giving someone raspberries during a diaper change than put away diapers and wipes. I'd rather have an extra minute of tummy time, some more giggles in the Bumbo seat and pepper that sweet face with kisses that dust, wash or vacuum. Because one day she won't want batheez with mama, she won't think I'm that funny and she'll be too big to fall asleep in my arms. Sometimes I feel it so strongly, the sense that this is all so fleeting and it almost breaks my heart. After all I already don't have a newborn anymore...
I'll have a spotless house again someday. For now I'll take my baby, messes and all.

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9 notes

  1. I can relate so much to this. I've always been a little OCD about keeping things clean and organized, but since having kids, the little messes are just part of the goodness. I mean, yes, sometimes I get overwhelmed with it, but it's worth it :)

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  2. Such a sweet post! Makes me want to be mama too! :) miss you guys! Hope you have an amazing weekend!

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    1. Thanks Dasha! I can't wait unti your a mama too :) Miss you too terribly! xo

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  3. I still feel this same way & my daughter is 13 months old now. Time with her is always first, everything else second. It's hard to explain it to the Russian family sometimes because there is so much emphasis on cooking & cleaning coming from that side; they just don't understand.

    I often read this poem & it always reassures me:

    Some houses try to hide the fact
    That children shelter there,
    Ours boasts it quite openly,
    The signs are everywhere.

    For smears are on the windows,
    Little smudges are on the doors
    I should apologize, I guess
    For toys strew on the floor.

    But I sat down with my child
    And we played and laughed and read
    And if the doorbell doesn’t shine,
    His eyes will shine instead.

    For when at times I’m forced to choose
    The one job or the other,
    I’d like to cook and clean and scrub,
    But first I’ll be a mother.

    ~author unknown

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    1. I know what you mean darling. But you're doing the right thing. And thanks so much for sharing that sweet poem. I love it! xo

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  4. Oh how I can relate to this one. I have two mini tornadoes running around and a clean and kempt house lasts for all but ten minutes. But its all okay. I would take the messiness for the long list of joys they bring.
    Happy three months of motherhood!
    :) Anna

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    1. Absolutely! Couldn't agree more! Thanks so much darling! xo

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