Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Confessions of a 6-month-old mom

Our daughter is six months old. When I say our daughter, I mean this tiny result of the generations of so many families that have come together and, finally, resulted in her.

When my mother is driving me crazy with a MUST (read in Hindi and English) parenting tip or when my father-in-law has ordered the most toxic-looking noisy toys, I try to remember that she is theirs too.

But, of course, and most importantly, and without kidding ourselves, firstly, I am a 6-month-old first-time mom.

To mark this momentous occasion, I've dusted my laptop, and decided to write about what I've learned so far, how I feel, and what I would love to share:

  • She is the first newborn/ infant/ baby I've held.
  • I haven't slept for more than 4 hours at a stretch in the past 6 months.
  • I have exclusively breastfed her for 184 days at an average of 10 times per 24 hours.
  • There is no dignity in childbirth.
  • But it's been the easiest part so far.
  • I am tremendously proud of how well my body has handled pregnancy, a completely natural delivery, and sleep deprivation.
  • My lower abdomen looks like a stretch-marky bag of Jell-O.
  • I am constantly told how "lucky" I am and how "grateful" I should be to have an involved husband, like I have scored the perfectly trained nanny.
  • I hope he is told the same thing about me in his circle.
  • Don't tell me my kid is thin. I might punch your face or burst into tears.
  • I've cried louder than her when her hair was shaved, during her first shot, and when she was born.
  • I've cried a lot.
  • Motherhood has gotten me closer to a lot of my family and friends with children.
  • I'm still learning to be patient.
  • I used to be an assertive, decisive, and quick thinker.
  • I've spoken to at least 20 people, including three doctors, on the best way to get her ears pierced: gunshot or thin string of gold? Ended up abandoning the idea indefinitely. 
  • I've whined about her erratic sleep pattern to anyone who will listen.
  • The first month of her life is a blur.
  • The color, consistency, timing, and appearance of poop has never been of greater significance.
  • I've browsed at least 200 pictures of her while she napped.
  • Some days are so hard.
  • I've resolved to take a break and go do fun things alone.
  • I've either called or texted to check on her or browsed pictures of her, every 15 minutes.  
  • I hear phantom baby cries all the time.
  • It doesn't take many words from anyone to make me feel like a crappy mom.
  • When people ask me why the baby is crying, more often than not, I have the same idea as them. Which is none.
  • I have watched her go from being unable to balance her neck to sitting up all by herself.
  • I have struck conversations with moms of all ages, randomly, while shopping, eating, sitting in a garden, everywhere.
  • Children unite women like very few other things.
  • I have encyclopedia-level knowledge on sleep regression, growth spurts, latching, WHO weight charts, milestones, you get the drift.
  • Dr Google is my best friend.
  • I am now part of an unorganized group of women who are truly ALWAYS there for each other. We have texted at 4am, chatted and reassured each other for hours, and discussed our deepest, darkest feelings openly.
Once you go mom, you can't go back.

See you again before she's 16, hopefully. 
Oh hey, mini me!





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