THRIVIN’ ANDSURVIVIN’
Congratulations! Welcome to parenthood! What a beautiful time in our lives! That moment that we became not only a parent but a MOMMY! It is so surreal and so amazing to experience! The wonderful memories we all share as parents about the day we became responsible for someone other than ourselves! It was such a great and special day for me becoming a mommy, and I am sure you all felt the same way when you had your first baby. The feeling doesn’t really leave when babies two, three, four, and so on, are delivered via stork, but that first-time feeling is so special, that nothing can really replace the day you became a parent. Regardless of it was your first time or fifth time, it was the best feeling ever to know that we have someone who will love us unconditionally and will never fault us when we are having a badday!
How it felt to hold my little baby for the first time was so incredible! It felt like a million clouds had swept me away to an alternate universe that only me and my little bundle would enjoy together. No one could bring me down to earth because I was in heaven just watching her sleep, eat, poop, cry, smile, move, or just simply breathe. The hundreds of candid shots taken on day one are some of the best memories that you will have to reflect on this joyous time in your life. The endless visits to the hospital and/or to your home by family and friends, make you feel so loved and cared for by those who know you best—is such a great feeling tohave.
Living in Miami, Florida, appearance can weigh on you and cause unwarranted stress. I didn’t care about having bad hair days, or days with no make-up. I was more concerned about picking out the cutest onesie and matching socks and hat so that I could start playing dress-up with the baby. It reminded me of playing with my very own baby dolls back in the day. Those ten little toes and ten little fingers, the deep dimples, the rosy cheeks and beautiful light brown or green eyes below that luscious curly head of hair, are some of our many reasons for endless kisses, stares and snuggles. The smells of “new baby” are everywhere! We are in baby heaven and mommy bliss! Nothing can take us off this cloud, and we were not even worried about coming down. Just being with our baby is all we need at that moment! Heaven on earth is the bestdescription.
The sleepless nights and long days are beautiful! The countless laundry baskets and diaper pails are unforgettable! Let’s not forget the projectile vomit and diarrhea keeps us in awe of why we love being a parent! Yeah, those first twelve months are a breeze! Nobody talks back to you and nobody understands how to roll their eyes yet! It’s a beautiful beginning. To top off such an incredible year of parenthood and baby love, we celebrate with a grand, over the top, First Birthday Party. Everyone is invited to the big soiree, which includes the entire neighborhood, every mommy and daddy at the mommy-n-me or daddy-n-me play groups, every family member who can make it along with your friends and co-workers. They are all there with you to celebrate this special moment. The first birthday is always so much fun for everyone, except the baby. They don’t care about the balloons, bouncy house, food, games or the people invited. They are there for food, sleep and deposits. They are usually tired and cranky at least two hours in. They are crying because they are being continuously passed around to everyone who is not mommy, daddy, nana or gramps, or being picked up, which is really interrupting either a well-needed nap or some serious cakeeating.
When all of the partying is over and the troops have all retreated to their respective homes, you take that time to reflect on Year one, all while putt
