Really Pants

Almost 1…. what an experience

I just can’t believe it - a year ago i had just started having contractions and was facing a 36 hours of labour.
I can barely believe that i have been mummy for a whole year.
It seemed like such a huge and impossible task. I had no idea what to expect. One person had one opinion, another had a different one and as for all the so called “experts” and their baby raising advice. Do I let baby cry or do I cuddle it all the time? Everyone told me that it would be really hard and to expect it to be difficult blah blah blah….Read on…

 
I ignored that advice, deciding that what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger and since i had decided to be a parent, i was going to make the best of every situation.

And yes people were right - it wasn’t easy. A long labour, emergency c-section, numerous knock on health issues- and many difficulties with the feeding - but i perservered with it and got through.
It totally showed me a new way of life, one where she came first, and where i wanted to make the best of every experience she has.

I decided that while i was prepared to listen to different opinions, at the end of the day only i know what will be best for my child.
The people that couldn’t believe I would want to use cloth nappies - and here i am 9 months on, loving them and blogging about them. I only wish we had used them sooner. It wasn’t cheap to get going which is a shame because i feel it does put a lot of people off, but it has been worth every penny.
It has made me think much harder in general about our impact on the environment. I recycle as much as possible,including materials. We walk as often as possible, so as to avoid using the car, which of course has not only saved money but also made me fitter and slimmer than i can ever remember being. I’ve made some amazing friends and i am more energetic and enthusiastic about everything.
Who could have imagined that two little cells could lead to all that .

I decided not to read up on so called “professional advice” unless i was finding something a challenge and it really has worked. The Mantra of “Our baby, Our way” and the belief that anything worth doing is never easy, has helped me get through the difficult times.

It is a joy to watch her learn – and as we go along I am learning just as much.

Now i have this fantastic little girl who makes me smile every second. Perhaps she is happy because I am, or perhaps i am happy because she is. Either way - it works and it’s the best job in the world.