Congratulations to you and your baby! I’m so happy for you beginning this new journey. May you find strength in her vulnerability and your ability to care for her. I had such a struggle with my own infant, unable as I was to recognize my own traumas at that time. You are ahead just knowing it’s there. Sending you every blessing for joy and a calm heart.
Thank you so much Emma, this is so kind of you 💕 I was just chatting with my therapist this week about not wanting to pass on all my wounds to my little one and she gave me some great advice: aim to be a good enough parent. Not perfect, not awful.. just good enough. That really resonated with me.
Congratulations, Clare! I'm happy to share a digital copy of the memoir I wrote about navigating this stage of life if it's helpful - although I am also aware you may not have much time for reading right now! Just drop me an email if it's of interest xx
Those sweet little feet! ❤️❤️❤️ and I hear you on the banality of most baby books. The board book I liked the best was “All the World,” a gift from another mom. It’s so reassuring to read at the end of the day. Curious to know what you’re reading!
They are excellent feet! I can’t believe I grew them. Thank you for the board book recommendation - I’m going to check it out. We have some lovely sweet books about love being what makes a family, our friends the dogs… there’s no way my sleep addled brain can remember the titles but the vibes are very wholesome and loving, though they do get very dull. To make up for it, I’ve been reading her passages from my books. That keeps us both entertained, though I do want to get some more age appropriate books too. A visit to our local library might be on the cards this week 🙃
Thank you. We were gifting a newborn photoshoot, which was incredibly generous. I love the photos we got especially since our little girl has changed so much since those early newborn days.
We are getting there.. good weeks and bad. I was unwell last week (heat exhaustion!) which was really rough, but hoping to have a better week this week. Thank you for your kind thoughts Jeannie - they are such a gift in this tricky, exhausting time 💕
Oh it certainly is a tricky time, Clare. I know that well. Take good care of yourself and be kind to all the changes, up and down, that happen to your body and mind. It’s good to be a new mom, but it’s also really hard—and that’s the part not a lot of people really talk about. Sending love. XO
Congratulations on this new adventure! It sounds like you already have so many skills that have prepared you for motherhood. Enjoy and be good to yourself!
Congratulations! Such a joyful post Clare, I can completely relate. The only answer I have on how to maintain some form of self is to lean into love. My second child really struggled to get comfortable with herself and it felt like such a personal attack at first but I realised it wasn't about me and surrounded her with love - that helped both of us. You are now someone's forever safe place and that is an enormous privilege - take a minute to digest it all xxx
This is beautiful advice, Paula. Thank you. I’ve been noticing how much my daughter watches me.. while I’m eating lunch, while we’re out walking, while I’m chit-chatting with my wife. She’s only a few months old but she’s already learning about the world through me. It’s an enormous privlidge, as you say. 💕
I didnt stay connected to myself or my creativity, Claire. It was impossible, three under five, one born woth Hirschsprungs disease, one with a then unknown genetic condition. That came much later, and the strange thing is, after it all, I have my children to thank for it. You seem to have far more awareness going into your motherhood than I did, I think you will find the right way to stay connected to yourself. Let it flow gradually, if you can. Those pictures are so lovely. There is nothing quite like holding your newborn in your arms. 💕
Ooof, there’s a lot of days when it feels like my old self is completely gone. I often feel like I couldn’t tell you anything about her… but then there are beautiful moments when it feels like a new self is taking shape. Though if I’m honest, most of my moments are hidden under a heavy blanket of exhaustion right now. So… I’m muddling through. Some days I get to write a little. Most days I don’t. Everyday I try to soak in this precious girl and know that these days - though difficult - are profoundly precious too. Thank you Ali - it’s nice to hear from someone at a different moment in their parenting journey, and to know that it won’t always feel so overwhelming 💕
Heartfelt congratulations. Getting baby earth side is no small feat, even though I am enjoying those darling little feet with all her fingers and toes. Such a blessing babies are, and soaking it all in as you are... Just as you should be. 💞
Clare, I'm so happy to hear your news and to see the little feet. Motherhood rearranges everything. When I became a mother, I didn't know how to stay connected to myself (I didn't know I had a self to stay connected to). But I am navigating a couple of enormous shifts right now, and find that conversations with people who love me, can listen and hold space for me, are incredibly important. That and movement, particularly QiGong and yoga. And, one more, being very, very kind and gentle with myself - I should have put that as number 1!
Thank you so much for these kind words Emily. 💕 Staying connected to myself has been a challenge for me too. It’s something I’m still working on particularly in this intensive newborn stage when my daughter needs me all the time. But day by day, I’m finding my way back to a new version of myself. As you say, motherhood rearranges everything. That captures my experience really well. I appreciate your gentle words of advice and support from afar. Thank you 💕
Congratulations to you and your baby! I’m so happy for you beginning this new journey. May you find strength in her vulnerability and your ability to care for her. I had such a struggle with my own infant, unable as I was to recognize my own traumas at that time. You are ahead just knowing it’s there. Sending you every blessing for joy and a calm heart.
Thank you so much Emma, this is so kind of you 💕 I was just chatting with my therapist this week about not wanting to pass on all my wounds to my little one and she gave me some great advice: aim to be a good enough parent. Not perfect, not awful.. just good enough. That really resonated with me.
Congratulations, Clare! I'm happy to share a digital copy of the memoir I wrote about navigating this stage of life if it's helpful - although I am also aware you may not have much time for reading right now! Just drop me an email if it's of interest xx
I WOULD LOVE THAT! Emailing you now. 💕
Those sweet little feet! ❤️❤️❤️ and I hear you on the banality of most baby books. The board book I liked the best was “All the World,” a gift from another mom. It’s so reassuring to read at the end of the day. Curious to know what you’re reading!
They are excellent feet! I can’t believe I grew them. Thank you for the board book recommendation - I’m going to check it out. We have some lovely sweet books about love being what makes a family, our friends the dogs… there’s no way my sleep addled brain can remember the titles but the vibes are very wholesome and loving, though they do get very dull. To make up for it, I’ve been reading her passages from my books. That keeps us both entertained, though I do want to get some more age appropriate books too. A visit to our local library might be on the cards this week 🙃
Omg I love these photos! Congrats, Clare! How are you and baby adjusting?
Thank you. We were gifting a newborn photoshoot, which was incredibly generous. I love the photos we got especially since our little girl has changed so much since those early newborn days.
We are getting there.. good weeks and bad. I was unwell last week (heat exhaustion!) which was really rough, but hoping to have a better week this week. Thank you for your kind thoughts Jeannie - they are such a gift in this tricky, exhausting time 💕
Oh it certainly is a tricky time, Clare. I know that well. Take good care of yourself and be kind to all the changes, up and down, that happen to your body and mind. It’s good to be a new mom, but it’s also really hard—and that’s the part not a lot of people really talk about. Sending love. XO
Thank you my friend 💕
Congratulations on this new adventure! It sounds like you already have so many skills that have prepared you for motherhood. Enjoy and be good to yourself!
Thank you Allison 💕
Congratulations! Such a joyful post Clare, I can completely relate. The only answer I have on how to maintain some form of self is to lean into love. My second child really struggled to get comfortable with herself and it felt like such a personal attack at first but I realised it wasn't about me and surrounded her with love - that helped both of us. You are now someone's forever safe place and that is an enormous privilege - take a minute to digest it all xxx
This is beautiful advice, Paula. Thank you. I’ve been noticing how much my daughter watches me.. while I’m eating lunch, while we’re out walking, while I’m chit-chatting with my wife. She’s only a few months old but she’s already learning about the world through me. It’s an enormous privlidge, as you say. 💕
And responsibility!
Yes!! That too :)
I didnt stay connected to myself or my creativity, Claire. It was impossible, three under five, one born woth Hirschsprungs disease, one with a then unknown genetic condition. That came much later, and the strange thing is, after it all, I have my children to thank for it. You seem to have far more awareness going into your motherhood than I did, I think you will find the right way to stay connected to yourself. Let it flow gradually, if you can. Those pictures are so lovely. There is nothing quite like holding your newborn in your arms. 💕
Ooof, there’s a lot of days when it feels like my old self is completely gone. I often feel like I couldn’t tell you anything about her… but then there are beautiful moments when it feels like a new self is taking shape. Though if I’m honest, most of my moments are hidden under a heavy blanket of exhaustion right now. So… I’m muddling through. Some days I get to write a little. Most days I don’t. Everyday I try to soak in this precious girl and know that these days - though difficult - are profoundly precious too. Thank you Ali - it’s nice to hear from someone at a different moment in their parenting journey, and to know that it won’t always feel so overwhelming 💕
Congratulations, Clare! Enjoy this special time with your newborn.
Thank you so much Tracey 💕
Heartfelt congratulations. Getting baby earth side is no small feat, even though I am enjoying those darling little feet with all her fingers and toes. Such a blessing babies are, and soaking it all in as you are... Just as you should be. 💞
Thank you Joanie 💕 Trying to soak up all the precious moments (& manage through the tricky ones!) over here.
Congratulations Clare! Welcome to the world, little one. You are so lucky to have such amazing mamas!
Thank you so much Leslie. This is so kind of you to say 💕
So lovely to get a peak into your newborn bubble. Take your time, we'll be here when you're ready to return 💕
Thank you Vicki 💕
This is wonderful news! I was just thinking about you this morning and I’m so happy to see this post. Congratulations
Thank you so much Susan. I really appreciate your warm thoughts from afar 💕
So happy to hear that BABY is here and all is going well. Sending you lots of love in your new journey.
Thank you so much Susan 💕
Congratulations, Clare! So special and I’m so excited for you and your family ❤️ Sending love!
Thank you so much Jenna 💕
Clare, I'm so happy to hear your news and to see the little feet. Motherhood rearranges everything. When I became a mother, I didn't know how to stay connected to myself (I didn't know I had a self to stay connected to). But I am navigating a couple of enormous shifts right now, and find that conversations with people who love me, can listen and hold space for me, are incredibly important. That and movement, particularly QiGong and yoga. And, one more, being very, very kind and gentle with myself - I should have put that as number 1!
Blessings on you and your family.
Thank you so much for these kind words Emily. 💕 Staying connected to myself has been a challenge for me too. It’s something I’m still working on particularly in this intensive newborn stage when my daughter needs me all the time. But day by day, I’m finding my way back to a new version of myself. As you say, motherhood rearranges everything. That captures my experience really well. I appreciate your gentle words of advice and support from afar. Thank you 💕
May you find your way:).
Thank you Emily 💕
Best wishes and much love to you all!🩷 It’s great to hear your thoughts, as someone who’s experienced trauma,on new motherhood! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Edie. Delighted to be able to share the happy news with you 💕
Such a wonderful message to find in my inbox. Sending joy and care to you and your family.
Thank you so much Kate 💕