Over the weekend Zack blessed me with a wonderful dual-day Mother’s Day. Not only did he spoil me on Sunday but on Saturday, too! We spent so much time outside, it was amazing. I also slept in both days, which is worth highlighting ;) Being a mama is the most challenging, rewarding title I’ve ever held. Whenever it feels a little overwhelming I take a deep breath and think about the ways God has blessed me by making me Maxwell’s mama. The scent of Max, the warmth of his body — they are enough to feel calm again.
I love that our home is dotted with bits of our story: marrying Zack, living in Detroit then Minneapolis and now Los Angeles, our families, our jobs/hobbies, our trip to Tanzania. And the latest addition to our story: Maxwell.
Becoming a mama has made me a completely new woman. Our routine, the moments that now highlight my day, the prayers I whisper at night — they are all a reflection of becoming a mama in March. Just last year we were in Africa, dreaming of a baby to call our own, and on Sunday I couldn’t stop my flow of thanks as our dream baby kept my arms [and my heart] full…
“Sometimes when you pick up your child you can feel the map of your own bones beneath your hands, or smell the scent of your skin in the nape of his neck. This is the most extraordinary thing about motherhood – finding a piece of yourself separate and apart that all the same you could not live without.” — Jodi Picoult
I lovelovelove that you used that quote from Jodi Picoult. She’s fantastic.
Being a mama is DEFINITELY challenging, but rewarding. I like that you highlighted that. A lot of the time, I feel like I’m the only person struggling with motherhood because it seems like everyone else is perfect at it right off the bat.
Even still, I love being a mama. It’s the best.
@leslie zimmerman, Did you read The Pact? That was my very first Jodi Picoult book… amazing!
And the kindle edition is is $2.99 right now! Going to go check her out!
I love being a mom to my four boys. They are such a gift. Those early baby days are precious and hard. I remember countless nights of walking up and down the hallway with baby in arms hoping hoping hoping he’d just go to sleep! It does pass and it does get easier. The best thing I did was to reach out to other moms who had more “time in service” than I and sharing my struggles and then just listening to theirs and how they processed it all. If I didn’t have a sweet neighbor I would have never succeeded in breast feeding. I was able to pay it forward years later when my little sister had her first. She called me stressed out, two states away and said “I need help!” I went up and helped her get baby on a schedule and get him to sleep in his own bed and help her get sleep. By the end of the week she enjoyed her baby and the poor guy was sleeping so much! It turned out both of them were sleep deprived and they just needed their own space and sleep. (She had been trying attachment parenting, it’s not for everybody! ) My youngest is now 8 and he is the sweet soul that picked out a sweet silver necklace for me for Mother’s Day. Pour into them now and they return the favor in the future.
@Paige Whitley, Four boys? Seriously, HOW! FUN! :)
So glad you had a wonderful mothers day! That baby is so so precious! Following your journey has inspired me to be more grateful too. I can’t wait to be a mama myself someday:)
No matter how old your children are, when you put your arms around each other and hug, they are always your babies. My girls are almost 29 and 32, and I love the feel of them in my arms or their head on my shoulder! It’s some of the best moments of being a mom.
@Diana Foree, Having a baby has totally changed my relationship with my parents. It went from great to great-er :)
Congratulations on celebrating your very first Mother’s Day! I remember that special first year. I thought my heart would absolutely BURST! You are off to a wonderful start!
Happy 1st Mother’s Day!! it only gets better and better, being a mama is truly amazing.
I love that you have been all over the olace, i have as well. Where in Detroit did you live! I’m In Royal oak but have lived in grand rapids, Chicago, and LA as well! Hope you had a great first Mother’s Day!!
@Chelsea, We were in Ferndale. And I grew up in Grand Rapids… Wyoming, specifically :) Thank you for the Mother’s Day wishes! xoxo
Glad you had a great mother’s day!
BTW, You look amazing!!
[…] noteworthy “first” photos: my very first Mother’s Day, Maxwell’s first Fourth of July celebration, his first Halloween, picking out his first […]