You know what? Being a mom takes a lot of
commitment. Duh, right? Just like any relationship, it takes work and
perseverance. What I’m specifically thinking about today is that this
nursing stuff has been such a commitment. I feel so blessed
to get to do this for Annabelle, don’t get me wrong. However, I have
never been one of these women that has seen nursing as something I need
for the closeness to my baby and I do believe that formula is great too.
Annabelle has been exclusively breastfed,
but this is not because I think that formula is wrong in any way
Nursing hasn’t been easy for me, but pumping has
been even harder. If it wasn’t for my wonderful husband and my job and boss, I don’t know how
I could have lasted this long. I am to the point that I only pump once
at work. One other time during the day I use
my lunch break to go nurse Annabelle. How amazing is that? All aspects
of nursing have been a little hard for me. (Please don’t judge me for
what I’m about to say.)
I’ve had a hard time committing to the time
aspect of nursing. It isn’t just sitting down with your little baby and
feeding him or her in a few minutes and then going on your merry way. My
nursing story is a bit different. Mixed in with
those precious moments during the day that I do get to just sit with
her and nurse are a lot of things that are less precious: finding a
place and time to pump, cleaning those pump parts, sterilizing and
washing bottles, stressing over my production (will
she have enough for the next day?), stressing over whether she will
take a bottle from someone while I’m gone (most of the time the answer
is no way, José ), and really, more stresses about my body than I care
to share (tell me you’ve looked in the mirror
and thought, those aren’t mine!).
I’m getting off track here (like usual). This
was intended to be less a post ranting about nursing and more a post
about the lack of time I’ve given to myself since beginning this new
relationship. I think it is so important, in any relationship,
to take time for yourself. I remember that there have always been two
things that have helped me center myself and re-energize me, and I’ve
been doing very little (okay none) of either of those things. When I’m
doing these two things consistently I’m more
focused and in turn, much better at my relationships.
I would encourage you, and in doing so hopefully
I’m encouraging myself, to take a look at your day to day life right
now and get organized enough to work in something you love to do just
for yourself each day. I’ve made every excuse to
skip this step. I work full time and strive to be the best wife and
mother…and if there’s time, hopefully, I get to check in with my friends
and sisters. That’s totally messed up. There is plenty of time if you
prioritize. If I’m not taking time for myself
with God and doing things I love, then there’s no way I’m being a good
mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter, anything. It’s cyclical.
So here’s what I’m doing. Last night I picked up
the third book in a series it has taken my 5 months to read; this is
not a series that would have taken me more than a month total in the
past. And I’m going to finish this book in the next
week or so, and then I will pick up another one. One of the things I
love. The second, today I texted my dear friend to ask her to be my
running partner again. This Thursday, I’m going to not stress that
running lowers my milk supply (hence the rant about
nursing above) and I’m going to put my baby to bed, pump, put my
headphones in blaring some Pink, and hit the streets with Molly. And by
this Spring, you better believe I will be running a half-marathon again.
You see, I truly believe I’ve changed since
having Annabelle. For the better? You betcha. But there are some minutes in my day that I can take back just for myself. I cherish that time, knowing that by taking some time to read and write and run, I will be better in those minutes I spend playing with Annabelle and talking to David.
I hope you can take some time today just for yourself.
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