i really am enjoying this motherhood thing. more and more. she is sleeping right beside me. nuzzled up against me. i can't help but smile. life has changed. i am still leslie. and that won't change. but now i am leslie with a special little someone that is my own. that i am responsible for. and that enriches my life. and for that i am super thankful.
i was not prepared for what would happen after anika was born. after we came home. let me tell you. it's been a bit of a roller coaster. but overall we are on an upward trend. we are figuring each other out. slowly. learning new things everyday. trying to read lots. talking to friends who are moms. and my sister. and my mom. and there is a lot of knowledge out there. first hand experiences. it's just a matter of taking mental notes of the tidbits that you want to try. or that you think will work for you. and then trying them. keeping some. and throwing out the ones that don't work.
p.s. i baked a spiced apple sauce cake today. for our japanese homestay student's birthday. and my friend is teaching me to crochet tomorrow. i want to say "i feel like life is getting back to normal". but there is no getting back. instead i am creating a new normal. and i like it.
I love the new normal, my friend. Love your reflections, what you are learning, how you are growing... and seeing you become a mom! Love you!
Posted by: Cheryl Lynn | January 08, 2011 at 08:58 PM
aww :) so lovely to hear...and so very well said. that you are still you. with an extra special little someone beside you making you smile and filling your heart with love. and the new normal...love it :)
Posted by: ali | January 08, 2011 at 11:41 PM
she is a beauty, leslie.
Posted by: melissa f. | January 09, 2011 at 11:25 AM
I love your observations, Leslie :) And that little girl...what a sweetie!
Posted by: Emily | January 09, 2011 at 09:51 PM
I love how you say "creating a new normal" - I'm sure that's very true with new mothers. Good luck and stay happy!
Posted by: Katie | January 10, 2011 at 02:49 AM
'Creating a new normal' is a beautiful phrase and hits the nail on the head exactly (my little one is 6 and a half weeks old). I take a bit of comfort from what you've said because it hasn't been easy so far. Your photos are beautiful and so is Anika!
Posted by: Imogen | January 10, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Good for you! I am glad to hear things are going well, it is incredibly hard but incredibly rewarding.
Posted by: Kirsten | January 10, 2011 at 08:58 PM
beautiful post. i just love reading your journey of motherhood. it reminds me of when my first was born, but unlike you, i don't know that i could've expressed things so eloquently! he he he! i was a wreck and overwhelmed, but still thought motherhood was the best thing that happened to me.
"creating a new normal" indeed. it is never the same, but it is wonderful. like kirsten said, it is incredibly hard, but incredibly rewarding.
so glad that things are working themselves out.
happy, happy new year to you. :)
Posted by: shannon | January 12, 2011 at 06:51 PM
oh she is lovely. it's so true and i love how you say it, "i'm creating a new normal."
Posted by: ella | January 15, 2011 at 09:28 PM
I cannot imagine women actually enjoying making them!sf
Posted by: Microsoft Outlook 2010 | December 16, 2011 at 06:30 PM