Learning to Mother...

I cannot begin to express how thankful I was 

to have my Mom with us when we got home from the hospital.

But I must admit - I didn't really know how much help she was until she had left.

Isn't that always the case?

I just finished reading Nie Nie's book Heaven is Here 

and loved how she described having women around you with a newborn.

She described it as a biblical setting.

Women nurturing women and teaching them how to mother.

I love that my Mom was passing down mothering techniques from generations before her.

It all started when I had to put on Annie's first outfit in the hospital.

Not that I hadn't dressed a babe before -

but suddenly it felt so new and important.

Immediately I felt vulnerable and in need of another woman.

She also taught James how to change diapers in the hospital,

something I am still reaping the benefits of.

My Mom stayed for 6 days after the hospital.

She literally cooked us 3 meals a day - every.single.day.

It all started the next morning when she made the traditional pancake breakfast. 

My dear grandma made her pancakes when she brought home her babies 

and now my Mom is doing the same for her girls.

{With an added touch of whole wheat and health hoopla of course}

I imagine myself doing this one day for Annie.

Of course it was accompanied by a green smoothie.

Our fridge was chuck full of healthy foods all week.

I am craving her healthy cooking as we speak.

She was also a huge help with nursing.

She has passed on her love of nursing to both me and my sister Katie.

Thanks to her Annie is eating like a champ.

We gave my Mom a hard time because she was always worried about Annie's temperature.

The first day we came home Annie had on a onesie, feetie pj's with socks on underneath, a beanie, mittens, a swaddle and an extra fluffy blanket.

Mind you - it was 75 outside.

After a few days we learned that Annie's temperature did need to be regulated

 but maybe the 50 layers was a bit absurd.

The day my Mom left I cried like a baby.

While I was excited for it to just be our little family I immediately felt a surge of immaturity.

If I was sad for my Mom to leave -

how could I be a Mom myself?

Within a few hours I had gathered myself and felt confident that I could do this.

Plus, I realized that my sweet mother-in-law would be swooping in a few days later to help.

Thank you to my wonderful mother for teaching me everything I know.