The other day, a friend of mine came over to visit with me. She asked me how motherhood was treating me. My response…”I’m surviving.” Maybe I’m naive, but I really had no idea how exhausting motherhood would be.
I’m lucky if I pick up my camera at all. Actually, I’m lucky if I manage to take a shower during the day. I’ve learned in the past few months to focus on accomplishing one thing during the day. Today, I’m writing a blog post…tomorrow, maybe I’ll have the car washed. Whatever it is, I’ve got to keep my expectations low. How life so quickly changes.
In much the same way, I look outside and see the leaves quickly changing. Another season passes and I don’t feel as though I was able to fully appreciate it. Just a couple of months ago, I was wishing summer away. Silly me. Now, I’m begging the leaves to hang on. Perhaps I’m scared that when the leaves finally fall off that I too will fall apart. I’d like to believe I’m this one leaf standing tall as depicted in elke1403‘s photo, but for now, I’m just hanging on.
Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos
After reading your post I just felt I had to send a few words your way. In the early days with a new hub it does feel a lot like hanging in there. All expectations and how life used to be end up being thrown out the window otherwise you end up so frustrated and upset about “failing” everything. I ended up realising I had to create a new version of me and my life since I could never quite go back to what life used to be. At least that was my experience. If it helps and only if you are interested, I wrote a blog guest post on a friend’s site about feeling lost as a mother. Maybe it might be of some help (http://mixedgems.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/im-not-here-today/). Wishing you well!
In the beginning, I think that is all you can do. Focus on doing one thing at a time and if that is all you can get done, Great! Trying to do too much gets overwhelming. Focus on needs and remember this stage will be gone all too soon. Enjoy your baby and rest when you can 🙂
well put together, Ashley.
Oh, Ashley. This is a beautiful post, and one that I think so many of us can resonate with. Thank you. xo
Hi Ashley,
Although our daughter is in college now, I vividly remember those baby days. Who could forget the range of emotions and events? So many contrasts ~ utter exhaustion/complete amazement, frustration/satisfaction, despair/joy, and on and on. Standing bleary eyed in the Dr’s office with my crying baby girl, he told me “Enjoy her, they grow up so fast”. At the time, I thought “Sure, right, easy for you to say”. But, indeed he was right! Good or bad, those moments are all you get….take care and try to enjoy. In a blink, that crying baby girl is a nursing major and running her first 1/2 marathon 🙂
Life with a newborn is the hardest thing ever. You are stuck wishing that ‘things’ will get better/easier and trying desperately not to wish the time away because as you’ve been told a million times over “they grow up so fast!” (I’m one of those, with a 9 and 12-year-old). You are in survival mode. Try not to be too hard on yourself. Accept your limitations. Virtual hugs sent your way.
I love this post, Ashley. And it makes me so happy, you included my sky. I once was in your shoes (now my boys are, 12, 16 and 17) It is exhausting and rewarding and exhausting and pure bliss and exhausting and adventurous, oh and did I mention exhausting? Hang in there! Cyber hugs!
Pretty post Ashley…hang in there!
It’s true…it’s a demanding and equally rewarding thing-motherhood. I think it gets easier…you get better at it so it gets easier. At least that’s what I feel like. I was under some delusion that as my baby got older it would be less work! HA!! The rewards are plenty though fortunately.
P.S. I let hygiene go for a few months. Showering didn’t even make the bottom of the priority list for days at a time 😉
xoxo
Lovely Ashley, this is such a moving post. x
oh Ashley, i believe in you and know you’re doing your best. just hang in there and it’s okay to only do one thing a day, if that. xo
A moving post indeed, Ashley, and one that resonates with me. Thank you, and best of luck with it all. xoxo