New Mom Wishes

on July 25, 2012

I wish â€œsleep when the baby sleepsâ€ was as easily done as it is said.

I wish that Henry was born with a manual instead of a placenta.

I wish my dogs had opposable thumbs and could do the housework.

I wish I could gently levitate a sleeping Henry with my mind so I wouldnâ€™t have to disturb him to transfer him into his bassinet.

I wish there were 30 hours in the day, but the extra 6 were devoted to uninterrupted sleep.

I wish I had a chef, a maid, a nanny, and a personal trainer. Oh, and a second car.

I wish I was hooked up to an IV of coffee during daylight hours.

I wish women were responsible for pregnancy and childbirth and men were responsible for breastfeeding.

I wish Henry knew how much I loved him already.

I wish I could get my â€˜me timeâ€™ without ever having to leave his side.

I wish heâ€™s always as happy as he seems right now.

I wish Iâ€™ll remember everything about the first moment he wanted me because I was his mommy and not just his milk.

I wish meeting his needs would always be this easy.

I wish that I never forget that Henry is part of everything I ever really wanted. A shower and nap would just be icing on the cake.

{ 63 comments }

Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 25, 2012, 1:15 pm
Cute post Caitlin!! I can only imagine how you must feel with all of these new decisions in your life. I’d be totally confused too! As for the chef bit…. I’ll happily interview for that role! 😉
Amy July 25, 2012, 1:16 pm
You have offically been welcomed to MommyHood.
You have expressed what every mommy has ever wanted and said!
Sharon July 25, 2012, 1:16 pm
Such cute pictures! And I don’t know if it’s just the angles but he looks so much longer/bigger in the one to the right. He’s really growing!
Kaci July 25, 2012, 1:23 pm
So sweet!
Kendra @ My Full-Thyme Life July 25, 2012, 1:24 pm
Hear, hear! Henry knows, Caitlin. Henry knows. I’m sure your manual is in the mail on it’s way to you. Mine is… although whenever I call to inquire about it I seem to be on eternal hold!
Ingunn July 25, 2012, 1:26 pm
Great post, especially the last wish.
stephanie July 25, 2012, 1:32 pm
I’m having mommy guilt about going back to work and leaving my little one in daycare. This made me tear up, but in a good way. Great post!
- Kendra @ My Full-Thyme Life July 25, 2012, 1:42 pm
  Stephanie, I’m a working mom/baby in daycare survivor. I will be thinking of you as you head back to work. It is not an easy thing to do… I wish it was, but it simply isn’t. Remember that your baby’s needs will be met as you are doing what is best for your family. Chin up! Like I said, I will be thinking of you and sending you hugs and support. 🙂
Jayce July 25, 2012, 1:35 pm
Amen 🙂
Elsie July 25, 2012, 1:38 pm
“I wish Iâ€™ll remember everything about the first moment he wanted me because I was his mommy and not just his milk”

has this happened yet??? I have a 4 week old and this “wish” sums it up so well! I can’t wait to have this moment.
- Caitlin July 25, 2012, 1:41 pm
  It happened. It happened around five weeks. He was crying and I picked him up and I offered him the boob and he didnt want it. He looked at me like “Just hold me!” It was nice. 🙂
  - Melissa July 25, 2012, 2:54 pm
    It gets even better! Just wait until he looks for you when you leave the room, or you come back after being gone for awhile and his face just lights up to see you- makes everything else worth it.
    
    I also liked the wish about getting “me time” with Henry by your side. This pretty much sums up my personal mom conflict- I want me time, but I don’t ever want to give up time wiht my son either!
Megan July 25, 2012, 1:42 pm
cute post. I am the master of sleep when the baby sleeps, and just assumes it Carries in into toddlerhood, as i’m currently laying in bed waiting for my 2 yr old to stop singing and fall asleep so i can, too. o in my defense, i work nights, so i need to nap…)

I

the first time around i wished my husband could do the breastfeeding, but i don’t know if it was just bc i knew more or was more confident or knew how how quickly the nursing years went by, but with e2 i never had that thought (and i nursed for 2 yrs each time!).

Henry already wants you bc you are his mommy and not just his food source. ;-).

you are doing great in your new rule as mommy!
Corrie Anne July 25, 2012, 1:43 pm
I often wish Boyd would do housework too!! Or at least bring me things!!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles July 25, 2012, 1:51 pm
That’s such a cute post.

Your posts about Henry make my ovaries ache – makes me want to get started on the baby making! (but I’m 22 and going back to school in a month, so probably not the best idea in existence).
nancy July 25, 2012, 2:02 pm
Oh Caitlin….Please don’t forget that it will get better! Having a nursing newborn is way harder than any race you will ever run. You are doing just fine. I know every baby is different but I remember a marked change at the 12 week mark with all three of my kids. I distinctly remember suddenly knowing that we would all survive at that point. You will find your routine and it will all be ok. This part is supposed to be hard or we would all have 17 Henrys because they are so precious. 🙂
- Jenn July 25, 2012, 6:35 pm
  totally agree with Nancy! You’re doing a great job Caitlin, and it IS hard.
Dori July 25, 2012, 2:10 pm
The photos of Henry laying with James are so sweet!
Maura @ My Healthy 'Ohana July 25, 2012, 2:21 pm
I love the one about being able to levitate him with your mind, I totally agree on that one!! Our daughter would always wake up if we transferred her.
Katie July 25, 2012, 2:23 pm
This post made me tear up actually! for some reason I can feel your inner conflict with feeling SO tired and emotional but feeling so blessed and happy at the same time. Starting a family with my husband soon and reading your new mommy posts have been so inspiring and honestly make me feel like my fears of parenthood are normal and that it will be okay. Such a tough job and you do it with grace, positivity, but you also are so realistic and honest that its not all cuddles and smiles and naps on your arms, that sometimes its hard.
That little man of yours is SO beautiful and I love posts like this that show the true struggle of being a new mom combined with the true joy it brings.
You seem to be doing WONDERFULLY and honestly he is such a beautiful baby!
Verna July 25, 2012, 2:31 pm
Oh honey! I remember thinking that my son only loved me for my milk and nothing else. It seemed like he ate ALL THE TIME!! And never slept. It gets easier. They start sleeping better and you start feeling better. You’re doing a great job even if it doesn’t feel like it. Somedays keeping everyone a live and the house standing is plenty. Try not to stress about the rest.
Abby July 25, 2012, 2:48 pm
As a fellow new (-ish) mom, I completely agree… And I wish … I had that striped swaddle!! Adorable!! Where is it from?
- Caitlin July 25, 2012, 10:59 pm
  It’s a swaddle me from babies r us
Sara July 25, 2012, 2:51 pm
Beautiful!
Kelly July 25, 2012, 2:51 pm
That about sums up motherhood in general! Love it!
erica July 25, 2012, 3:00 pm
i love the pictures of henry and james 🙂
Amber K July 25, 2012, 3:16 pm
Aw, so sweet!
Jessica @ New Girl, New City July 25, 2012, 3:36 pm
Possibly my favorite post of all time.
- Jennie @ While My Button Sleeps July 25, 2012, 7:43 pm
  Agree!
  - theorist July 27, 2012, 12:38 am
    so do i.
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction July 25, 2012, 3:41 pm
Those pictures with the dog are so cute!! I am with you on the men doing the breast feeding! I mean that would be AWESOME!
Cindy July 25, 2012, 4:01 pm
Yes, yes, yes!! Great post. Everything is spot on.
Reenie July 25, 2012, 4:05 pm
Adorable photos of Henry and his brother James =)
JenP July 25, 2012, 4:09 pm
Perfect
Joy July 25, 2012, 4:18 pm
Caitlyn, your posts are always so thoughtful (and though-provoking), but this post is the best yet.

You are such a good mother and I wish you and your husband nothing but happiness with Henry.
Laura @ She Eats Well July 25, 2012, 4:19 pm
I love this post so much. You’re doing a great job.
Nicole July 25, 2012, 4:21 pm
I wish I had a magic wand to help you out but the good news is the rough bits smooth out with time and practice. One idea to try (if you can find a way to rig a version) is the Montessori pillow called the topponcino, you can read about it here: http://www.michaelolaf.com/1JC1stgentle.html It makes it much easier to transfer a sleeping baby, I think the temperature change startles many babies.

Good luck!
Kristen@Change of Pace July 25, 2012, 4:30 pm
I love this post! All of them are so very true 🙂
Natalie July 25, 2012, 4:31 pm
Aw, I love this post!!!
I think I have to disagree with the men doing the breastfeeding. I wish my husband could be pregnant! I didn’t like pregnancy, but LOVE breastfeeding!! 😉
Kylie @ immaeatthat July 25, 2012, 5:00 pm
This was the sweetest thing ever:) love it.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More July 25, 2012, 5:28 pm
This is adorable! And I have to say, I love your honesty about being a new mother – it’s not easy but regardless, you love the little one. 🙂
Shari July 25, 2012, 5:47 pm
This is so adorably sweet!
Shannon July 25, 2012, 6:15 pm
Um, you just made me cry. Summed up the early days of motherhood so perfectly.
I know you are struggling now, but you recognize what is REALLY important as noted in your post, and that is half the battle. Keep up the good work mama!
Jennie @ While My Button Sleeps July 25, 2012, 7:40 pm
Oh lady, I hear you! Loudly clearly, wishing the same things 14 months later.

You know the movie “Meet the Fockers”? I dream about that movie and the awesome man booby. I made Daddy Button wear the sympathy suit at maternity class. It was awesome andddddddddd it reminded him that he should bring me water with a straw when I breastfed.

Then I visited my friend with three kids. She was nursing one on the “my breast friend” pillow WHILE doing the dishes. I felt awed and silly all at once!!! We’ll get better with the next kid, I think (hope)! Hang in Caitlin, your posts tell me you are doing AWESOME!!!!! Gooo you!
Rachel July 25, 2012, 8:18 pm
AMEN to the breastfeeding wish.

I also wish my husband could truly experience what it’s like to be the mom for just one day. I know he works really hard at work all day to provide for us right now, and he’s super supportive with the baby, but he’ll never truly know what it’s like for me all day.
Jen July 25, 2012, 8:32 pm
The jogging stroller is the solution to “me” time while staying by his side… until he starts screaming anyway!
Adrienne July 25, 2012, 9:16 pm
Henry is soo Cute!! What an amazing blessing. I am also a new mom and the loss of sleep was the most difficult to get used too.. but when you finally do then they sleep through the night..LOL!

PS: I love your bedspread.. where did you get it?!
- Caitlin July 25, 2012, 9:38 pm
  ikea 😉
Sarah July 25, 2012, 9:16 pm
Love this post! Great wishes 🙂
Jacquelynn July 25, 2012, 9:29 pm
Your post just made me cry… such a beautiful post 🙂
AmandaRunsNY July 25, 2012, 9:56 pm
Such a sweet post. I love it!
Lesley July 26, 2012, 12:29 am
This was beautiful, Caitlin. It made me a little verklempt.
nicole July 26, 2012, 12:46 am
I love this. Soon you will be adding:

I wish I could shower without little hands banging on the door.
I wish I could take my child out in public without them having a tantrum.
I wish the toys would pick up themselves.
I wish they knew that I am doing the best I can and love them with all my heart through the disciplining and leaving them to go back to work.
I wish two was as easy as one! 🙂

Cheers!
Melissa July 26, 2012, 1:07 am
This post made me tear up too; being a mom is so hard. There were times where I had to just put my daughter down and walk away because I could not get her to stop crying. There is so many ups and downs; it used to make me feel like a crazy person. It gets better though. One day you will be nursing Henry, drinking coffee, and working on your laptop at the same time and realize that mommies have super powers and that you “got this”. You could probably even eat cake and do four things at once. Of course you will probably get crumbs in your boobs and on your laptop, which is one thing I do not miss about nursing :). Hang in there, you are doing amazing and Henry is just perfect!
Liz July 26, 2012, 1:10 am
Awwww! Love this post! Oh, and the pic of Henry with James in his monkey onesie is adorable 😀
- Liz July 26, 2012, 1:26 am
  Ha! That makes it sound like James is in the onesie…guess I should have worded it better.
Katy @ HaveYouHurd July 26, 2012, 9:21 am
You’re awesome! And James seriously looks so much like my tri-color corgi, Wrigley. Their markings are SO similar!
Jen July 26, 2012, 9:38 am
I just love this – and totally agree with every single thing you said!
Evita July 26, 2012, 9:49 am
LOVED this post and I feel the very same way. My baby is almost 6 months old. Time flies. Savor EVERY moment.

P.S. Henry is adorable!
Julia H. @ Going Gulia July 26, 2012, 11:25 am
This is so sweet. I wish for you to get some sleep!
Kelly @ Runmarun July 26, 2012, 12:03 pm
Love this post! Those first few months of being a mommy are so hard and so amazing!
Although it is a commercial for Johnson’s and Johnson’s, if you haven’t seen this yet, be prepared to bawl your eyes out! It made me feel better on a particularly challenging day. 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yotq4zr0dRc

In fact, I just watched it again and got all teary! 🙂
Carol July 27, 2012, 6:20 pm
Your baby/new mom posts are the BEST, I feel like you say everything I’m feeling! Thank you for not making me feel so alone … LOVE LOVE reading your posts and seeing baby Henry grow!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie July 29, 2012, 2:55 pm
Aww, sweet:)

I would never give the breastfeeding to the dudes though. I think breastfeeding is the best thing that ever happened to me on so many levels. I wish I could breastfeed babies forever. hehe.

My wishes, I wish I would never forget the tiny sound of my children’s coos, I wish I could take tiny moment captions of the quiet moments and go relive them.

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