Our son; My boy!

The last time I moved around in my own home this quietly was when I snuck back into my parents’ home after going to a party I was not allowed to be at. Then I was 16, now I’m twice that age, but being doubly careful. Yes, I now answer to a 60 cm human being with a temper that’ll make a Tasmanian Devil seem docile, but I’ve never been happier — honestly πŸ™‚ While he takes his nap, I’ll type as fast as I can, but I have realized that I can type well enough these days nursing a baby and hopping on my Pilates ball which has now replace my home-office chair. I know that we’re supposed to continue with normal “noise” in the house while he sleeps, but it’s taken me a good portion of my day to settle him and I intend for him to sleep as long as he needs — or rather I need him to πŸ˜‰

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My boy is 2 months old today — “My boy” when he’s good, “Our son” (muttered loudly and deliberately when husband is within hearing distance) when he is vocally making his presence on this planet known to all. Time flies when you’re having fun. It also flies when you’re raising a baby. This doesn’t mean that there’s no element of fun when it comes to babies — quite the contrary, but the fun is not always had taking adult scheduling into account. Our son enjoys playing at 3 am. This entails one of us doing silly faces and singing songs that are made up on the spot — usually containing a few phrases encouraging him to go back to sleep sang in a drowsy voice peppered with heart-felt pleading. He wants to check out the other rooms at this hour and bemoans the fact that at the moment, we are his only mode of transport. But, that toothless gummy smile and little gurgles are enough to make even the most sleep-deprived parent smile back. Even at 3 am and even though those routine-enforcing folks frown upon us πŸ˜‰ Back in the day, we came home from parties at 3 am — now a glass of wine and dinner followed by bed-time at 10pm is a big night πŸ™‚ How times have changed!

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But, looking back at the past 2 months and preceding 40 weeks, one realizes how one’s capacity to love has increased. You understand what they meant when they spoke about unconditional love. You chat to other mothers and realize that there are other people out there walking in a haze of sleeplessness and a faint waft of sour milk and that they’re ok. That you’re not the only person who doesn’t have 2 minutes to go to the little girls’ room alone. You realize that sometimes it’s ok to not be ok and that it doesn’t make you a bad person to walk away from a crying baby for 2 minutes and have a good cry yourself. Being a parent is an incredible blessing that comes with a huge load of responsibility. The fact that someone else is completely dependent on me has led me to nearly exhaust my inexhaustible darling Medela (if you’re a breast-feeding mom, you’ll know your pump on a first name basis) so that there’s always a stash of milk in the freezer — just in case. I now wear a hand brace because of an inflamed tendon (our son loves eating and has the weight to prove it!) and my other hand soon needs a brace too. My darling stiletto collection has gathered dust and I can now debate the merits of immunizations with aplomb. But, I am a happier person because of this little person who has shown me that being a mother is the most important task and honour that God could ever have bestowed on me.

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Oops, have to end this post right here — my pint-sized master has summoned me πŸ˜‰

 

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Modern Mommy Written by:

35 Comments

  1. Kim
    Tue, 20 May 2014
    Reply

    Best you stop that 3am chats and help that little person realise that it’s sleeping time. You are asking for trouble in the long run. Trust me, I’m a mom to one and an aunt to 21…

    • Tue, 20 May 2014
      Reply

      You are right πŸ™‚ Very hard to avoid making eye contact with him and joining him in the smiles at 3 am, but know it’s for the best in the long run πŸ™‚

      • Kim
        Thu, 22 May 2014
        Reply

        They are soooo adorable. It is very difficult! And they are only that little for a little while πŸ™

  2. Wed, 21 May 2014
    Reply

    I love the sisterhood of moms cheering each other on <3
    There is nothing quite like having a baby, I love it !!! my son is 8 months – and it feels like it's flown by <3

    Treasure every minute x

  3. Nonkosi
    Wed, 21 May 2014
    Reply

    Wow, you make such a wonderful Mom, you make me wanna be a Mom again….*never wanted to again* Your boy has a pretty amazing MOM! Keep it up and enjoy it!!! Much love and all the best…cheries all the memories and even the cries!!! You will miss them some day

    • Mon, 26 May 2014
      Reply

      Thanks, Nonkosi – it is such a blessing indeed!

  4. Helene Ramackers
    Wed, 21 May 2014
    Reply

    I love your blog and the honesty with which your write. It’s refreshing to see a new mom’s take on things. My husband and I always frowned upon the fact that people seemed to tiptoe around their slumbering babies, make shhh-ing sounds and close the door when baby is sleeping. We raised our daughter to be used to normal sounds – we never whispered and during her birth year we started home renovations when she was six months old, so the sounds of drills, sledgehammers etc. became ‘normal’. The result? She sleeps through ANYTHING! Go on, make some noise – you’ll be glad you did.

  5. nyambeni matamela
    Wed, 21 May 2014
    Reply

    Thank you Joanne for this post. Being a new mom myself I can relate, my daughter is only 11 days old and we are going through all of the above. I am glad am not alone in this race, and thank you for letting me know that its okay to feel not okay at times. I am comforted yet strengthened to carry on with the the 3 am smiles and nappy changes with songs made up at the spur of the moment.

    Thanks Joanne

    • Mon, 26 May 2014
      Reply

      11 days!!! Wow! She must be just over 2 weeks now – if you blink, she’ll be two months πŸ˜‰ Enjoy the journey – it does fly by!!

  6. Angie Naidoo
    Thu, 22 May 2014
    Reply

    I’ve just stumbled upon your blog/website, Joanne. I’ve been a grandparent for exactly 6 days and I’ve only seen my granddaughter in a whatsapp pic. (Not on Skype yet, because I’m working away from home and will rather wait to skype with granddad when i get back home.
    I haven’t even read all your posts but I love your blog and I can still identify (ancient parent as I am) with those warring emotions inside you!

  7. Zeenat
    Thu, 22 May 2014
    Reply

    My heart just warmed up and I gained so much more respect when I read that you’re Breastfeeding, and gathering from the constant pump expression, feeding him breast milk on demand, as a dietitian, it makes me happy knowing that a celebrity is proud of doing the right thing, breast is best! I’m so glad that you have given your son the best nutrition he needs and the only nutrition he needs exclusively for the 1st six months of life, can’t wait until he turns 6 months and you introduce solids, please write a post on the experience. I’ve always been fond of you, and other new modern moms can also get an idea of how possible it is to breastfeed and maintain lactation! After all, modern moms can do it!

    • Mon, 26 May 2014
      Reply

      Breastfeeding is the best gift I can give my son and I am blessed that I’ve been able to. It’s not as easy for some mom’s and I feel for them when they are forced to look at alternative means. The important thing is to be a happy content mom as that impacts your child so much.

  8. Thu, 22 May 2014
    Reply

    I have a 7 week old and when she wakes up not to be nursed but chat and I wanna sleep…its tuff and I wanna cry but forget that thought in a second when she looks at me with love in her eyes and start talking in her language saying whatever it is…most adorable…sooo njoy every moment coz before we know it they gonna be running around in the house and turn the place up side down.

  9. Fatima
    Thu, 22 May 2014
    Reply

    Hi Modern Mommy πŸ™‚ Please could you write on the topic of breast pumps, expressing and how you made the decision to go for the Medela brand. I’ve done research on all the different brands out there and am so confused with which one to buy.

    • Fri, 23 May 2014
      Reply

      Will do ASAP – I have a Medela Freestyle pump – really worth the money, but I’ll tell more about it in a dedicated post. You are right – big decision, but so important to try to breastfeed or express as much as possible πŸ™‚

  10. Mpho Nations
    Fri, 23 May 2014
    Reply

    Hi Modern mommy i became a mommy for the 1st time 6 years ago but what you describe about your angel feels like it was just yesterday that i experienced all that. The joy they bring words cannot describe…. Today i have a sister who is 6 years old and very curious an opinionated…. We growing together, loving and cherishing each other….. Enjoy motherhood.

  11. Jill Overberg
    Fri, 23 May 2014
    Reply

    Hi Modern Mommy,

    Always great reading your posts. Treasure each moment you spend time with the little one and make these moments last forever.

    Ciao,

    Jill πŸ™‚

  12. georgina
    Fri, 23 May 2014
    Reply

    Great writing! What a Blessing enjoy every minute!

  13. Nomah
    Fri, 23 May 2014
    Reply

    Hi Modern Mommy πŸ™‚

    I so love you posts. I am a first time mom too to an 8 month old baby boy, Oh Lord, babies are so wonderful, amazing and precious too. Every time i get home, his smile when he sees me melts my heart. No matter how stressed you can be or tired from work, babies will always bring joy into your heart. Cherish all moments dear. God bless you and your family dearly.

  14. Wendy
    Fri, 23 May 2014
    Reply

    Hi Modern Mommy…

    I feel you with the 3am chats, I’m a mommy of 3 the first one being a grown 19yr old man (he prefers I don’t count him as my child, it’s too embarrassing) than my 12yr old diva (who clearly stated she will never change the baby nappies as they don’t have the same parts) than my little man who is 3months who brings so much joy to everyone and I don’t mind the 3am chats

    • Mon, 26 May 2014
      Reply

      LOL! Love her diva-ness and she’s only 12! Enjoy your boy! x

  15. Tanya
    Fri, 23 May 2014
    Reply

    I love reading your posts. My baby girl is almost ten months, but I can relate to every single post! Please continue – love your website.

  16. Ayanda
    Fri, 23 May 2014
    Reply

    Wow!! Congrats mom. My daughter will be 3months on the 26th of march. As i type this im rocking her with my other hand. I share youre sentiments as i am breastfeeding her too. And yes its thee most amazing journey. One that makes me dread the thought of going back to work. Wish I could be a [email protected] mom… lol
    Oh and the two minutes to use the bathroom let alone take a bath, you just made my day.

  17. Fri, 23 May 2014
    Reply

    You are a beautiful person inside and out xxx

  18. Nicole
    Fri, 23 May 2014
    Reply

    You’re doing really well! I’m very glad to see that you have discovered the amazing art of babywearing (we’ve been carrying our 2+ year old since birth). Kudos on the breastfeeding – an electric pump might help you? It all just gets easier. And remember to take every piece of unsolicited advice you hear with a bucket of salt πŸ™‚

    • Nicole
      Sat, 24 May 2014
      Reply

      For anyone looking for support with feeding, check out

    • Mon, 26 May 2014
      Reply

      The babywearing is my best – calms him so much! I love my pram, but when he is crying, I strap on my munchkin and start walking πŸ˜‰

  19. Ilana
    Fri, 23 May 2014
    Reply

    Hi, my baby also turned 2 months today! These 2 months have definitely whizzed by! I have so enjoyed reading your posts as I can totally relate all the time.. Babies are just wonderful, truly the definition of unconditional love!
    Keep sharing πŸ™‚
    Ps. Snap on the pram and pump! Totally love both πŸ™‚

  20. Eloise
    Fri, 23 May 2014
    Reply

    Hi Jo-Ann πŸ™‚ I really love your blog! It brings back so many good memories of our boy as a baby (he is now 4 years old)…Being a mom is definately a learning experience, but the GREATEST feeling ever!

    Can’t wait for the next post!

  21. Mon, 26 May 2014
    Reply

    I’m going to be an uncle in a few months. Love reading your accounts of mommy-hood, puts so much into prospective.

    Thanks Jo. And happy parenting.

    • Mon, 26 May 2014
      Reply

      You’re going to love being an uncle – my brother is enjoying the journey too πŸ™‚

  22. Vanessa Timm
    Mon, 26 May 2014
    Reply

    Jo-Ann….I so enjoy reading your posts….adjusting to motherhood is the most honored I would say for any woman. My “baby”…yes I still call her my baby, will be 16 in July…and boy oh boy I so enjoy being a mother. My daughter asked don’t I miss her being a baby again…at that I breastfed her and she only stopped herself at 3 yrs of age….I told her yes I do, but enjoyed every step of the way. She enjoys me sharing the day when she born…always listens intently.
    Enjoy your bundle of joy…they grow up so quick, time flies…. πŸ™‚

  23. Mon, 26 May 2014
    Reply

    Great post, would love to feature you in my Moms Q&A section on my blog. Let me know if you would be keen? πŸ™‚

  24. Fri, 04 July 2014
    Reply

    Enjoy every moment! They grow way too fast. You’ll never have those early morning giggles every again once they’ve learnt to sleep through. Those little 3am giggles reminds us just how much we love our kids that we’d entertain them at that ungodly hour. Kids are God’s most precious gifts to us <3

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