Hi everyone! Sorry it’s taken a while to get back to my blogging, but as many of you know, getting back to business after having a baby becomes a balancing act. I finally feel like I have a routine going and I am enjoying the “balance” of work and family. Helena is now four and a half months old and I can’t even remember what life was like without her. She has a killer smile and it melts my heart every time I see it.
I have learned I can survive on much less sleep than I ever thought possible. When I am awake, I get a lot more done. I have become a master of multitasking. As a news reporter, I thought I was pretty good before, but being a mom has given me super powers. I can schedule appointments, cook and/or clean with baby in hand. I used to get up an hour before I had to be at work. Now, I get up three hours earlier and use every minute. My morning is planned with the same vigilance our producers time our newscasts: 6 a.m., wake up; 6:03, feed Helena; 6:15, change diaper; 6:30, hope I can have coffee and read the paper while she plays with toys; 6:35, that doesn’t work because we watch Eeebee Baby instead!
Helena has become the center of our world. Even as I write this and prepare to anchor the news she is always on my mind. I guess, before she came along, I must have spent a lot of time thinking about myself or my wants. Becoming a mom makes you realize how much better life is when you spend your time caring for others. Dennis and I used to love to go to fancy restaurants and plan spontaneous trips. Now, we get excited about our daughter’s digestive accomplishments — from burps to the color of her diapers, this is now normal dinnertime conversation. We also spend a lot of time discussing her sleep cycles and why she will sleep eight hours one night and get up every three hours the next. The odds of figuring this out are probably greater than winning Powerball, but myself and many other moms will keep on trying!
I think the reason new parents spend so much time talking about the difficulties of sleep deprivation and other baby woes is because it’s harder to put the good stuff into words. I will try to do it here. Having a child flips a switch in your heart that lights up your world even on the darkest of days. Because of Helena I see the world from a new perspective. I laugh harder, worry more and love more deeply. She is a blessing that just makes you want to say thank you every day.
Kara,
You described what it is like having a baby to the “T”. My son, who is also my first born, is going to be a year old next weekend and the past year has best then best time of my life. I find myself rushing home and getting excited when I pull in the drive way because I know in a matter of seconds I will see his smiling face and all the bad things that might have happened that day will go away. Seeing your baby everyday is just like you said, they flip a switch in your heart that lights up your world. Even my husband, who isn’t the sensitive type, turns into a ball of mush when he is around our son.
Congrats again on your beautiful little girl.
Wait until her first birhday. You will never look at the any birthday the same.
When my 9 year old son had his first birthday I can remember saying, Now I get it”. This is what a birthday is. The celebration of your child’s life. Giving birth to this little person that you can not believe how much love you have in your heart for them is turning one. A celebration because he/she has giving you a new meaning to life.
Congratulations on becoming parents and everythin else she will bring to your life.
Kara, my girls are now 22 and 19 and they are still the lights of my life. Like you, I never knew that only gettin like 3 hours of sleep, I could still get up and take care of baby and go to work. Yes, the smiles came more easily. I am still easy going but worry is something my mom told me, when it comes to your children no matter how old you will always have. Helena is lucky to have you and Dennis as you are her. Enjoy each day as it comes and don’t rush her growing up, it all comes to quickly. Take care.
Kara,
I am currently trying to conceive. When I read your blog it became more clear to me why we try so hard to have children. They are wonderful. I can’t wait until it’s our turn. Thank you for the inspiration!
Kara,
My son is now 14 months old and my husband and I both say even know before we could go anywhere and leave on a whim we would not change having him for the world. You think her smiles light up your world now wait until she starts giving you hugs and kisses (my sons lastest thing) it will melt your heart.If you figure out the sleep thing let me know because I need help still on that one.
Congratulations to you and Dennis on your beautiful baby girl.
Jennifer
Stafford Springs