One thousand four hundred and forty minutes make up a day, and as a new mom, I find myself awake for the majority of them. Oh, you’re awake again, little one? It’s only 5:30 a.m., and I could swear you just woke up a couple of hours ago. Mornings used to be a battle between sleeping in and exercising; now, a hungry baby crying for food has no snooze button. I’m running on empty, with time slipping by in a haze of sleeplessness, only occasionally brightened by a cup of coffee.
One thousand four hundred and forty minutes, and yet another day passes where it feels like I’ve achieved very little. How is the house already in disarray? Didn’t I just tidy up yesterday? How can one tiny person who can’t even walk require so much? More laundry? My days have turned into a cycle: the baby sleeps, the baby eats, mom attempts to catch some sleep, mom maybe gets to eat, and I try to clean up while the baby is napping, then repeat. Chores used to be manageable, squeezed in between work or during lunch breaks. Now, laundry feels like a monumental task that consumes my entire day.
One thousand four hundred and forty minutes, and I can’t even remember the last time I had a proper shower. When did I last feel fresh with a nice outfit and makeup? These days, I’m just relieved if I manage to change out of my pajamas and brush my teeth. Do I even own anything that isn’t yoga-friendly? I’ve lost track of the last time I wore a pair of pants with a zipper, but who’s counting?
One thousand four hundred and forty minutes in a day: without a shower, laundry piling up, and the house becoming messier by the minute. Yet, I remind myself daily that these moments are fleeting, and I will look back on them with longing in the years to come. Here I sit, typing away while my one-month-old son snoozes peacefully on my chest. How did a month pass so quickly? If only the last month of pregnancy had flown by this fast! Amid the sleepless nights and countless diaper changes, the early stages of motherhood seem to vanish quicker than I can grasp.
The monotony of these days combined with the swift passage of weeks brings a whirlwind of emotions. I have never felt so much joy and love, yet at times, I also feel confined within my home. I find myself slightly resentful that my partner gets to leave for work while I’m home with our little one. I’m grappling with the reality that my maternity leave is slipping away, and soon I’ll have to part from my precious baby to return to work. I often think, am I losing my mind? It’s impossible to feel all these emotions simultaneously, yet here I am, experiencing them all.
I strive to be present and cherish these fleeting moments because this time won’t last forever. Soon enough, my baby won’t be crying at 2 a.m. He won’t need me to hold him to drift off to sleep. The moments spent holding him will be fewer than the ones I won’t. It’s challenging to remember how quickly infants grow into toddlers amidst the chaos. There are aspects of caring for a newborn that I’m grateful are temporary, yet there are also parts I know I will deeply miss.
With only one thousand four hundred and forty minutes in a day, I can’t assign value based solely on how long it’s been since I left the house, the size of my laundry pile, or what I’ve “accomplished.” Instead, those minutes are marked by snuggles and smiles—too precious and too few. Despite the exhaustion, the messy home, and the wailing baby, I am grateful to be on this journey. For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource. If you want to learn more about fertility and supplements, visit this trusted site.
In summary, the life of a new mom is a whirlwind of emotions, responsibilities, and fleeting moments of joy. Though the days may feel repetitive and the house may be a mess, the love and connection formed during these early days are invaluable.