June 2016 Moms
vintagevix2016
member
Reflections on the year
vintagevix2016
member
Time for a "get in touch with your inner feelings" type of moment! 
Since we're all at the 1 year marker, I thought it would be interesting to open a thread for us to reflect on the year.
Some questions I thought of...
What were your highs? Lows?
What was your favorite moment of the year (tough one, I know)?
Would you do anything different if you could go back to Day 1 with your LO?
What words of wisdom would you tell yourself if you could go back to Day 1?
What are your thoughts moving forward into toddlerhood?
Since we're all at the 1 year marker, I thought it would be interesting to open a thread for us to reflect on the year. Some questions I thought of...
What were your highs? Lows?
What was your favorite moment of the year (tough one, I know)?
Would you do anything different if you could go back to Day 1 with your LO?
What words of wisdom would you tell yourself if you could go back to Day 1?
What are your thoughts moving forward into toddlerhood?
Re: Reflections on the year
Highs was when she said ma the first time (she still has yet to say da, in your face MIL) :-) and this week she has been standing and "dancing", lows was when I found out I was unable to breastfeed and my struggle with my low supply because of health issues, my postpartum depression as a result of that and her constant vomiting at the beginning because of GERD.
Favorite moment was when I first put DD on our bed to towel dry after her bath and she started wiggling her butt like a puppy dog. I just remember laughing and laughing and yelling for DH to come look.
If I could go back, I would take the advice of the lacation counsultant and feel less guilty about my BF issues and just love on my baby girl.
I have more excitement for toddlerhood (her walking, she is so bold and fearless like her dad)
Colic was my low. It was a total curveball and I had a really tough time during those few months. I had so many doubts about myself and myself as a mother. I've never been that low before in my life. The other side of that coin is that, as a high, I feel like it strengthened my bond with Damien more than anything. It gave me a certain level of confidence that anything negative that came after colic seemed so manageable (minus the nursing issue, which happened right at the tail-end of the colic). Once I realized I could handle it (the colic), I felt so empowered.
What was your favorite moment of the year (tough one, I know)? My favorite moment was the 1st time he looked at me and I saw the recognition in his eyes that he knew it was me. It was brilliant. Would you do anything different if you could go back to Day 1 with your LO? To do it differently, I'd be more adventurous with Damien, take him out to explore more often than I actually did. The colic kind of turned us into recluses and I had a hard time shaking that even after the colic phase was over. We went for long walks every day but still, there's so much to do and see in the city and I feel like I didn't take advantage of it.
What words of wisdom would you tell yourself if you could go back to Day 1? Give yourself a break and don't be so damn hard on yourself, especially during the colic and nursing troubles.
What are your thoughts moving forward into toddlerhood? I'm excited (and a bit nervous) about Damien continuing to become his own little person. Every day there's something new to learn and explore, new obstacles and challenges. I'm definitely a worry-wart like my Mom so as exciting as all these new changes are, I also know there's more potential for danger. I try to keep in mind that it's okay to be prepared for the worst but definitely try to focus on hoping for the best and living in the moment too!
Sidenote: Big shout-out to my husband who drives me up the wall BUT has been my rock throughout all the trials and tribulations. I couldn't have gotten through it all in one piece without his reassurances and ever-loving support.
What was your favorite moment of the year (tough one, I know)? When Tristan decided he wanted to play with us and started creating his own little game of chase. Just the cutest thing ever!!
Would you do anything different if you could go back to Day 1 with your LO? I would trust myself more to know exactly what my baby needed from me.
What words of wisdom would you tell yourself if you could go back to Day 1? Even though you are a mom the minute you conceive, you do not always have the automatic, amazing connection right away. It may take some time and that is ok.
What are your thoughts moving forward into toddlerhood? All I keep thinking is that it is going to get more and more fun. Tristan has recently started looking to DH and I for comfort more lately when he is unsure and it is an amazing feeling to have that connection with him. I just see that growing. Watching him grow and learn everyday is the best entertainment in our house. He is a complete joy!
Watching my husband fall in love with our daughter is an amazing experience. It was very tough in the beginning because we have slightly different parenting styles, which took awhile to accept.
What was your favorite moment of the year (tough one, I know)?
There was one random Sunday that was just a perfect day that made me feel like we were a cohesive family and the whole day just felt perfectly natural.
Would you do anything different if you could go back to Day 1 with your LO?
So far no.
What words of wisdom would you tell yourself if you could go back to Day 1?
Babies cry, and sometimes there's nothing you can do. Don't take it personally.
What are your thoughts moving forward into toddlerhood?
I'm excited to see Jackie's personality and interests develop.
Highs: falling madly in love with Calvin and getting to know him, being able to quit my job and stay home with him
Lows: The first 20 days in the NICU; not sleeping for the first six months
What was your favorite moment of the year (tough one, I know)?
I can't narrow it down. So many wonderful little things; from him falling asleep on me, to when he finally slept through the night, to the first real smiles. His first bowl of solids was like the best thing to watch. And his laugh... oh his laugh...
Would you do anything different if you could go back to Day 1 with your LO?
I'd try to relax and go with the flow more. I was so worried about sleep schedules, doing things 'right', and things like SIDS that I've been an uptight mess most of the year.
What words of wisdom would you tell yourself if you could go back to Day 1?
Relax! It will all be ok. Do what you need to do to survive and don't sweat it. And put the baby down awake... it's ok if he cries a little when trying to put himself to sleep.
What are your thoughts moving forward into toddlerhood? To be honest, I'm a little sad that he's not a little baby anymore. It went so fast. I'm excited to see his personality develop, but I'm also nervous about the behavioral parenting that's about to start.
What were your highs? Lows?
I hunk my highs have been all the "firsts", but mostly that phase where it started to become clear that S knew and loved me. Middle of the night wake-ups have been lows.
What was your favorite moment of the year (tough one, I know)?
If I have to pick one, probably the first real laugh. His laugh is still the thing that gets me more than anything else.
Would you do anything different if you could go back to Day 1 with your LO?
I don't think so. Looking back, I realize that I could have done a lot more for or by myself in those first few weeks when S was sleeping the majority of the day, but at the time, I really just wanted to be near him all the time.
What words of wisdom would you tell yourself if you could go back to Day 1?
"Babies don't read the books." I heard this from my pediatrician when I was worrying about S's nursing schedule. It's helped me remember not to get too caught up in what I read from all of the parenting books/internet about what is normal.
What are your thoughts moving forward into toddlerhood?
I am so excited to see the little person he is growing into. At the same time, I find myself wanting to freeze every moment of snuggling, babbling, and giggling so that I can have this baby phase forever.
Highs: the firsts were cool. When she said/says mama and it actually means me is really awesome. She's such an independent little person already it's amazing to watch her figure things out. She applauds herself when she knows she's doing something right, that is just precious.
Lows: we had to stop bf-ing around 9 months and start formula because my supply dissapreared with this new pregnancy. I was really low for about two weeks. I was scared that it would change our relationship, and it did to a degree, but it also didn't. It was really hard to not be able to make it to a year of ebf.
Favorite moment: watching dh with her everyday is my favorite moment. He takes her outside and shows her everything one by one. He is so patient with her. He lets her brush his teeth. He bounces her to sleep often. There are too many awesome moments to list. It's beautiful to watch them together, they are bff's.
Anything different from day one: I don't think so.... Not parenting wise anyway. I would tell myself that the postpartum difficulties won't last long, even if they seem forever while they are happening. We probably should have been having safer sex to prevent another from cropping up, but we are going with the flow. I would also tell myself to not expect a periodless breastfeeding experience because that was a fat joke. I got my first period at 8 weeks pp.
Moving into toddlerhood: I am so excited. She just started taking 3 to 5 consecutive steps, so I am very excited to watch her walk/toddle around. The addition of a second baby will be a whirlwind but it's coming at a great time of year. I'll be able to stay home with them both for the first 6 or so months of new babies life. I hope she adjusts ok to not being the only small one! I am also super pumped for her to talk more. She is very vocal but has a limited vocabulary (mama, dada, dog, and toe). I am anxious to know what will connect next.
Highs were mastering BFing, and really all the things she is doing now, and just that she always loves her mommy, never pushes me away, and when I get in her face she just opens her mouth to try to kiss me (or taste me, haha).
Lows were the early struggles... with BFing, postpartum blues, moving to a new house at 4 months and not getting anything done in the house for months after moving, etc.
What was your favorite moment of the year (tough one, I know)?
So many! Her belly laughs and any communication she has with us (she isn't saying any words yet). She is generally happy and when she hams it up in front of people, those are happy moments : )
Would you do anything different if you could go back to Day 1 with your LO?
Hard to say because I still don't have a solution, but with #2 I want to try harder to get them to sleep in the crib. We got the crib too late bc of the move and LO was not ok sleeping there after being in the cozy, rocking bassinet for so long.
What words of wisdom would you tell yourself if you could go back to Day 1?
I guess I'd tell myself that the beginning period is actually short in the grand scheme of things, and to not worry if I don't enjoy every moment of it.
What are your thoughts moving forward into toddlerhood?
I'm excited! I can't wait for all the milestones that are coming, especially talking. I feel like I know her but I can't wait to hear all she has to say : )