Sitting down to write a blog post feels like something from
another lifetime right now and yet wow yes, hello, this is a comforting
familiarity. Except of course, I’m not ‘sitting down’ to type at my laptop as
usual; it’s 4am and I’m typing one-handed in the notes on my phone. The other
hand is trapped under a sleeping baby who is stretched out across my belly like
a purring cat. Am currently debating whether I risk trying to move him back to
his cot before circulation in my left arm is cut off completely. I feel life
with a baby would be even more challenging if I lost an arm but equally… he’s
asleep. Priorities ya know?
So yes, had a baby. I know. Feels bloody wild.
Our little munchkin made his grand entrance over the
Christmas period and since then we have been consumed by the emotional
rollercoaster that is life with a newborn baby. We’re trying to minimise his face appearing on the
internet for the time being so you will just have to take my
word for it when I say that is he is very, very cute (not that I’m biased in
the slightest…). You know me and my incessant need to document everything so no
doubt there will be further blog posts about the remainder of my pregnancy, a
very memorable Christmas and these intense newborn days but for my first blog
post of the year, we’ve got a bit of looking back / ahead to be doing. Quite
frankly, I feel off kilter if I don’t do this at the start of each year (ignore
the fact it’s February - everything takes longer to do right now).
It still blows my mind that in 2021 I grew an entire human
so it surprises me that I don’t feel like I have much to say about last year.
Whilst it was ultimately life changing for us, by the time lockdown had lifted
and I’d emerged out of the fog that was the first part of pregnancy, half the
year was already over. Aside from growing a baby, my parents moving to be near
us was a massive highlight, as was getting a proper holiday and renovating our
garden. But one of the main things to stand out was the slow return of all
those little days of joy that we lost during lockdown; weddings and weekends,
beach trips and date nights, cafes and bookshops. I hope all these things are here
to stay and we no longer have to live with the anxiety of uncertainty.
We are still adjusting to what life looks like with a baby
so currently don’t have grand plans for 2022 but here’s five things I’m looking
forward to this year:
Good health - it’s still a novelty to not have chronic
heartburn, to not have to wee every five minutes and to be out of the worst of
the post-birth recovery phase. I feel lighter when moving. Admittedly my
strength is at an all time low what with that post-birth core and several weeks
of mostly being sofa-bound under a feeding baby but I’m hoping that once we
start getting into more of a rhythm, I can start fitting some pilates and
longer walks into the day.
Feeling a bit more myself - can’t tell you how much I’m
enjoying no longer being in maternity leggings! After two years of lockdowns
and pregnancy, you could say I have felt discombobulated with my own body and
how to dress it. Whilst I am going to do a bit of shopping because suddenly
everything needs to be breastfeeding-friendly, I also want to put a conscious
effort into shopping my own wardrobe. I’m hoping I’ll slowly get back into
feeling myself, or at least this new version of myself.
To watch bubba grow - he literally changes everyday and it’s
going to be mind-blowing how much he will have changed by the end of the year.
These first few weeks have been tough but I’m always trying to remember that he
will never be this little again and enjoy the everyday joys. I can’t wait for the
milestones, the firsts and watching him meet the world.
Creative moments - it’s only in hindsight that I realise how
much my creativity was dampened during pregnancy. I’m not sure if it was the
huge physical or hormonal changes but things just weren’t sparking in the same
way. Since having the little one, despite the huge adjustment, sleep
deprivation, birth recovery etc, I feel like the desire to do all the things
that make my heart sing has stopped dozing and started stretching its legs. I’m
looking forward to the reading, writing, baking & photographing that I can
squeeze in during feeds, nap times and whenever else I get a moment!
To enjoy a gentle maternity leave - I’m lucky to have the
whole year off work and I’m determined to make the most of it in a gentle
fashion. To enjoy our first year as a family of three. I’m excited to finally
have the time and freedom to get well acquainted with the area we moved to two
years ago. Thanks to a generous gift from my parents, we are now National Trust
members so we are hoping to start making the most of that shortly. I’m looking
forward to time with loved ones, celebrating my 30th, days spent on the beach,
in the garden and pottering around town, day trips, perhaps our first family
holiday and plenty of little joyous day-to-day moments in this unique year.
Hope 2022 is treating you well dear reader.
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