Verity: Entering the World of Motherhood

I've been a mom now for just over a month and have a new-found respect for what moms go through on a daily basis, especially during the first month.

On Monday, February 4, I became a mom. Kevin Clayton Cox entered the world kicking and screaming at 4:12 a.m. (after interrupting the Super Bowl the night before).

Since his joyous arrival, I've experienced the emotional and physical roller coaster that every other mom does (or at least the baby books and websites keep trying to reassure me I'm not alone). I knew motherhood would be difficult, but I'll be honest, I didn't think it would be THIS difficult. Trying to balance caring for a newborn while caring for your own battered and sore body is no easy task, even with a husband, family and friends for support. Throw in feeding problems and hormonal changes and a baby that appears to be crying for no reason... there were times I didn't think I'd stay sane, let alone take a shower or eat dinner.

During pregnancy, I remember thinking that I'd be able to get things done while Kevin was sleeping; newborns sleep all the time, right? They do, but not necessarily for very long or on their own. I reached a new level of sleep deprivation, one that goes even beyond what I experienced in college pulling all-nighters before a final. And during that first month, when Kevin did provide a few moments of quiet, either because he was asleep or happily awake and kicking away in his bouncy seat, I found myself unable to leave his side. I knew I should nap, but instead I watched his cute face hoping to catch a smile and worried about whether he's hitting the proper milestones on time.

Now that Kevin is officially 5 weeks old, we've settled into a bit of a routine. We've overcome breastfeeding issues, found a good sleeping schedule and I've physically and emotionally healed. We can even get out of the house in under 15 minutes now!

Even if the first month was hard, I'm thrilled that Kevin is now part of my life and I have a happy family of three (plus four furry kids). But I have a new respect for all the other moms out there and the dedication it takes to raise a child. I know there is a long road ahead and Kevin, my husband and I will encounter new challenges. But now I feel ready to tackle each adventure, having made it through the first month of motherhood.

Source: http://blog.veritycu.com/2013/3/11/entering-the-world-of-motherhood

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