the first six months- life as a new parent

Hi lovelies! It's another gorgeous summer day here. I just thought since I've reached the half year mark with little miss that I'd write about what life is like so far as a new mom. This is only my perspective, so others might recognize a few similarities or have completely different experiences altogether. The first thing to know is that for most women, your baby's birth probably won't go according to plan. You really just have to roll with things. (Here's Stella's birth story) In the end, all that matters most is that a healthy baby is placed in your arms. Even though I spent my pregnancy planning and thinking about this baby coming into our lives, when the doctor hoisted her in the air I was absolutely blown away. I thought, this is the single most incredible moment of my life and had that wonderful feeling of smiling through tears. Then, immediately after, I thought how the $&@ do you take care of a baby?!? Why didn't I read more of those books!?! Luckily, the amazing team of maternity nurses were there to help us with the transition. We felt so comfortable in our hospital room, with the nurses a mere button push away, that we were nervous to leave. I was admitted on a Saturday and went home on a Wednesday, so by the end, I think we had clearly pushed all of the nurses buttons.
The first stretch is tough. No matter what kind of delivery you had, your body is healing, you're getting used to breast feeding, you're trying to read your baby's cues, and you're waking every few hours to feed them. Exhausted much? I remember on top of the C section healing,  having the blood vessels burst in my eyes from pushing for so long during labour, my nipples were cracked and bleeding from breastfeeding, my feet were swollen to my hubby's size 12 men's shoes from the IV drips, not to mention the unexpected visit from aunt hemmy and uncle roid. Physically, it felt like my Everest. My breastmilk never amounted to much. I tried taking Fenugreek and Domperidone, which at first I was happy about because it sounded a lot like Don Perignon, but wasn't nearly as exciting. The doctors said the combination of my birth experience and my age (29?) were most likely the contributing factors for the low milk supply. Eventually, after pumping all day and only getting an ounce, I had to eventually let go of the dream of breastfeeding. On the upside, my hubby was able to help with the feeds, which meant more sleep. More sleep = happy momma.
If there's one thing I can tell any new parent - it keeps getting better. Each little thing you do together, whether it's taking the baby out on a walk, grocery shopping, to a class, to the park, to a restaurant - it all will add to your confidence. Everything is a little scary at first, not only are you trying to time things with their schedule, you're also trying to figure out their cues and all of the friggen equipment they travel with. But honestly, the more you do together, the less daunting things become. I still remember my first big walk with her along White Rock beach. She was about a month old.  I grabbed a coffee, brought along her completely overstuffed diaper bag and we walked for two hours. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. I felt like I had finally gotten to where I wanted to be - enjoying one of my favourite spots with my little girl.
At six months, I'm happy to say, we've since had five weekend getaways and she's been legendary as a travel mate. We've had late dinners out with her asleep beside us, we've kept up visits with friends and have gotten her routine figured out.
Some of the bigger adjustments that I have found have been not being able to accomplish as much as I used to in a day (everything takes advanced planning, spontaneity takes a hike), not having as late of a social life as we used to (the baby is up at 6am  and doesn't care if we were out partying until 2 - in fact, I am pretty sure she finds it downright amusing), and trying to lose the baby weight. Doesn't it sound cute? Baby weight. Aw, so cuddly. If you like the portly build of the Pillsbury dough boy, you might not have a hard time adjusting. I know it's a miracle, and I celebrate what my body has been through, I truly do. But you'd think carrying a new 20 pound sidekick everywhere that I'd have arms of steel. Sad truth is that I think her pipes are more defined. And her arms are made out of soft butter.
But, all of this being said, it is, without a doubt, the greatest adventure of my life. I have never felt such contentment and bliss. It makes you see the world again through new eyes, everything is fresh and exciting - first time they go on a swing, first time you take them swimming, first time you forget to put a diaper on them - it's all very endearing. Whenever I pack up more of her outfits that she's outgrown, I get sentimental because it really does fly by. I will definitely be the sobbing heap that everyone is stepping over in the aisle at her wedding. I used to worry about being an older mom, but she was well worth the wait and weight.