Motherese: Month One

Posted on 11.18.06 to Clare, Motherese, Personal by Joan

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Motherese
Vol 1, Issue 1

My dearest Clare,

To say that motherhood opened a new chapter in my life is such a gross understatement. Not only is it a new chapter, it is a new book, a whole new life altogether!

The day you were born, I was overwhelmed till the point of not being able to feel anything at all. It could have been the combination of the lack of sleep, epidural and the sheer physical strain of the entire birth process. However, I was floating on a cloud of motherly delight and was more than ready to take on anything you were capable of.

The first two weeks of having you was smooth sailing. Partly because you were a very easy baby to deal with – you generally did not need much fussing about and all you really needed was milk, hugs and sleep; and partly because I was running on sheer adrenalin of having you in my life.

Needless to say, the pregnancy hormones eventually decided to make their exit and I no longer felt like the invincible mommy I swore to be. You grew to be rather fussy the past two weeks, screaming your lungs out till you turned into this giant grape. Each time you get to that stage, I get really angry. Not because you were throwing a tantrum, but because I get worried you end up not breathing.

Motherhood has really taught me a lot of things in this one month. Taking care of babies feels like one is studying for a Masters degree – there are so many things to learn! I never knew my brain could store that much information in such a short period of time. Feeding, general safety, sleep patterns… really, you guys are so not simple creatures!

I also learnt the value of patience. Despite having lost my temper on you a few times, I definitely am able to deal with a lot of things more without reaching boiling point so easily.

I also learnt how to be more conscious of time. Gone were the days when I could just grab my stuff and run. We now have to pack a whole lot of stuff for you before we step out of the house. For a little girl, you sure need plenty of things to make your foray out of the house a smooth sailing one.

Lastly, I learnt that my boobs will not be mine again for a long, long time.

In the past one month, you grew so much – physically and mentally. You put on almost 1kg and grew about 10cm. You can also recognise your father and me. Your eyes follow us when we enter the room. Your cries soften when we pick you up while you wait patiently (for a while!) to either be fed or changed. I sometimes wonder what you think of when you see the boob during your feeds. “Hello! Food approaching!”

Your development, as a one month old, is right on track, if not faster than the norm! You can lift your head pretty well and swing from left to right to follow the source of sound with much ease.

To share with you a secret: I am rather pleased that I am presently your only source of nourishment and it makes me so happy each day when I see your cheeks fattening up!

Your father and I are so thankful that we are blessed with you in our lives. You were born into a family of people who love you to bits – your parents, two great grandmothers, six grandparents, five aunties and two dogs. We were pleasantly surprised at how well Thunder took to you – he is always concerned when you are screaming your lungs off and always runs over to check on you.

Also, your parents have so many friends who showered us with much love when you were born – most of them gave me the much needed encouragement to plough through the last few months of the pregnancy which was very physically challenging.

Happy one month, my darling. This is only the beginning, but when I look at you, it feels like I have known you and loved you forever.

We made this photo slideshow for your one month celebrations. It is a series of photographs taken each day since the day you were born for the entire month. The background music is one of your favourites. You love listening to it during bedtime.

Love,
Mommy

P.S., Thank you for not killing us at night by waking up every two hours and screaming your head off! Your father and I appreciate it very, very much.

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