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THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF MOTHERHOOD

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MY TOP / SUNGLASSES 

OAKS HAT

What did I even get done today?  As I say to myself 80% of my days since becoming a new mother. The first year was like this a lot, the second year I’ve been able to do more, but the first two years of his life and becoming a mom, have been the biggest learning experience of balancing all things.

The thing is, as a new mom we aren’t going to get much done.  Thats just the reality of it. We won’t get anything done that can be crossed off our huge list of TO DO’S.  Laundry, dishes, errands etc.. 

But really all we do is respond patiently to hunger cues, cries, whines, teaching our baby how to navigate through this complex crazy emotional raw world we live in.  Thats all. 

Learning how to be a mom. 

Learning how to breastfeed.

Learning what cries mean.

Learning how to be a good wife after becoming a new mom.

Learning what patience really means.

Learning what true exhaustion really means.

Learning what to feed your baby.

Learning how to teach good behavior.

Learning how to sleep train.

LEARNING PATIENCE.

BUT THATS ALL WE DO. JUST BECOMING A MOTHER IS ALL. 🙂

We’re teaching this tiny little helpless person all about the world.  The most important parts of the world.  What it means to be loved, what it means to treat people nicely, what it means to be connected with your family.  Giving them they love they need to survive in this crazy world. But thats all.

Your baby is stretching and growing into this new body, and you’re too.  Your baby will grow and meet milestones, and you will feel so accomplished and proud to be this babies mom.  But to the untrained eye, most of this work, will look like nothing at the end of the day.  But we know better.   Give, give, give, and give some more.  There is no greater task than doing “nothing” all day, and tomorrow and the next day. 

Close your eyes and measure your day by laughs, sounds, smiles  and feelings.  Don’t measure it by tasks, or how “productive” you were.  Measure it by how often you got to hold your baby, see your baby smile for the first time, laugh or kick, or got excited to see you.  Those are the moments to cherish and hold close to your hearts.  You won’t remember the times you had a pile of laundry, unmade bed, or errands to run.  Those can wait.  These moments pass by and never return.  Soak them up.

You’ll never look back and think, “I wish I would’ve done the dishes instead of watching my baby giggle or just snuggle my baby” or “i should’ve put her down to make dinner earlier”.   

The love you feel for this tiny person, is so intense that you can’t even put it into words.  Soak in all the feelings and really live in the moment.  These past two years with my Oaks have gone by so fast.  Baby days are fleeting.  I soak up any chance I get to snuggle or hold him.  I don’t care if he’s almost 40lbs (I think) close to it haha.  I will hold him until I can’t anymore.  

The first two years are very much like this.  You will think what did I even get done today?  But always remember this and stop thinking that.  These are the hardest days of your life, but yet we feel this way.  All moms are amazing.  This part sort of gets unnoticed, but just remember you’re creating a foundation of love and trust , one that will help your parenting compass.  

I was so inspired by THIS ARTICLE on becoming a new mom, I had to share it with you!  Can’t take all the credit but I felt it was so important to spread this message since I know, most of you are new moms.  

Hope you loved this!  I shed a tear or two writing it.  Oh, the emotions of motherhood! 🙂

Have a great day!

xoxo,

SARA LYNN

MOTHERHOOD MONDAY: TIME BLOCKING

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TOP & BOTTOMS: OUTDOOR VOICES & CUTE HERE & HERE / NIKES CUTE HERE & HERE

OAKS OUTFIT: ALL ZARA

In the business I am in, it’s constant screen time.  I’m either on my phone or a computer.  I’m sure a lot of you can relate to this.  Over the past couple weeks I’ve noticed a difference in myself & how it’s affected everything.  As I’ve become busier, as Oaks becomes busier and is constantly learning and growing.  I feel that I’ve got two HUGE responsibilities.  For 1 making sure that I can be a good example to Oaks, and to help him learn and grow the best I can.  And 2 –help support my family, by following my dreams and what I LOVE, which is sharing all my tips for you guys, and helping you all live happy and healthy lives.   

So back to my reasoning on what I’ve noticed.  I’ve noticed a difference in my behavior.  Getting angry a lot,  feeling very overwhelmed and anxious… so I decided to put a stop to whatever is making me feel like this.  AND THAT IS MY PHONE.  I am in constant GO MODE.  I love what I do so much and LOVE talking with all of you so much.  I just get anxious because I want to respond to everyone, all while creating great content, but then I have a toddler that needs me 24/7.    I can’t have him trying to get my attention while I’m constantly on my phone.  Can you imagine if you couldn’t talk & you’re trying to get some food or a drink, but they aren’t listening because they’re distracted by their phone?  Annoying right.  

So what I’ve been doing is time blocking my day where I get my work done, answer any questions you have and talk with you for a certain amount of time.  Then I will time block my time with Oaks, which is morning before his nap & after his nap.  This is time I put my phone in the other room and leave it there.   THEN on Sundays I turn my phone completely off from 3pm- ON.  Don’t turn it back on until Monday morning.   This has helped me so much and helped me learn to live in the moment all while getting my work done when I time block.  It’s a WIN WIN.  It’s so affective and I get more done in the gap I time block, rather than trying to get it done in spurts all day feeling stressed out with a toddler at my feet.  

I was so inspired by this article on “The Powerful influence of Secondhand screen time on a Childs Brain”   This was huge eye opener for me, and realized I needed to change something.  I want what’s best for Oaks, and feel so bad for the times I am “to busy” to play.   Mom guilt was in FULL force when I read this article.  I just wanted to share it with you guys too, because I know I needed to hear it.  We live in a world of constant distraction and constant stimulation!  It’s nice to actual set it down and live in the moment, rather than thinking about how this person said this, what you need to get done, where you need to be at this time, how you need to respond to that text/email.. the list goes on.  It’s stressful!  

Our babies & kids need us!  Lets give them our full attention when the time is needed.  They grow up so quickly.   We don’t want to let their lives pass by and wonder where we were during those important stages of life.  They matter, and the quality time we spend with them matters.  It’s so important for their growth and their future adulthood.    

That phone call, text, email, DM, snapchat whatever it may be… can wait. 🙂

Hope you loved this!  I am going to be doing “Motherhood Monday”  and talk about motherhood every Monday, so send me your suggestions if you have any my way!  Would love to know what you want to hear about.

Have a great week!

xoxo,

Sara Lynn