Dear friends, Mia’s first birthday is over, the cake is cleaned up, T and I celebrate the fact that Mia has not only survived our first year of parenthood, but she has thrived… and so have we.
Your child’s first birthday is a BIG DEAL. You may have had many celebrations but celebrating her first birthday is just, well, different.
There’s something about turning one that really reinforces the feeling of transition from babyhood to toddlerhood. Maybe it’s the determined attempts at walking or talking. Maybe it’s the fact that she will now be joining the ranks of people who don’t count their age in months.
Or maybe it’s the fact that she survived your first year of parenting.
I was so happy to celebrate Mia’s first birthday.
But I’m also excited to celebrate my momiversary.
Everyone says that being a mom is the hardest and best job in the world… But for those who’ve yet to have children, no doubt it can be tiring to always hear about all the challenges.
Yes, I’m constantly overwhelmed with too many things going on everyday all at once and I am exhausted from all the rushing around all the time.
Yes, I just want everything to be perfect my parenting, my home, my work. It is so hard to keep up.
Yes, I’ve never been busier, Mia needs nap, to eat, bath, walk, play; shopping has to be done, dinner has to be made…and on..and on..and on.
Yes, it was loneliest year. Sometimes I just want to have long conversation with someone other than T. Someone with femail anatomy. Someone in same life stage as me. Someone that gets me.
Yes, I have been pooped on, peed on, sneezed on, snotted on, spit up on, and thrown up on.
Yes, the family expenses have increased… as have the laundry and the dishes.
Yes, sometimes my time, my body, and my brain does not feel like my own.
Yes, I’ve forgotten when I had good sleep.
And yet there are so many wonderful things that far outweigh the lack of sleep.
Like the fact that you learn how to love more completely and you start to see the world with more wonder.
And you live more purposefully.
And then there are the other things, the baby things:
Sweet baby breath on your cheeks.Those precious newborn coos… music to your ears.
Hearing “mama” for the first time as your heart melts into puddles around your feet.
Those first slobbery kisses… no, all of those slobbery kisses.
Hugs and cuddles…
Her first movement, those super loud mornings and much more to come…
I don’t mind sleepless nights too. I know that I never will be more loved and wanted and needed than I’m now as mama.
Being a mom has pushed me to the limits of what I’ve experienced so far in my thirty-three years.
I’ve felt crushing insecurity at times and steady confidence at others.
I’ve been confused and I’ve questioned.
I’ve spent hundreds of hours reading books and the internet looking for answers and help and tips and ideas.
I’ve rocked her in the night and held her through teething and illness and growth spurts and needles.
I’ve sang thousands of nursery rhymes and read thousands of stories.
I’ve nursed and I’ve nurtured.
I’ve felt like an amateur and felt like a pro.
I’ve filled my Instagram feed with hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of photos.
I’ve been amazed and overwhelmed, grateful and relieved.
I’ve become more of who I am meant to be.
Becoming a mom is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. It’s helping me to see myself and see the world in a whole new—more glorious—light.
So here I am today with tears, with love, with joys, with questions, with lessons, with discovery, with process, with growth, with reality, with dreams!
Happy first Momiversary to me!
My heart is so full and I’m happy.
I will never forget this first year of motherhood, the year that my life was turned upside down and came out rightside up.
How did you celebrate your first momiversary?
17 Comments
Kim
How sweet is this! What a treasure for her to read when she’s bigger. When my daughter turned one, I also celebrate myself. That first year is beautiful and tough. We deserve that praise!
Ashley
Aww I love this so much! Congrats on making it through year one, mama! Good job 🙂
MLK123
Thank you Ashley!
Amie
Happy Momiversary!! That is such a cute though – I will officially be wishing all my friends that on or around their kids birthdays!
MLK123
Thank you Amie!
Jenni
Happy Momiversary! I shared my first Momiversary in August, so I loved reading your post. I can relate to this last year being my loneliest as a new SAHM, but also my most rewarding and purposeful year ever. Thank you for sharing and congratulations, Momma 🙂
MLK123
Thank you Jenni and happy Momiversary you too!
tineke - workingmommyabroad
Awesome post, you describe it so well! And i love the photos, so cute! The one on the bench is my favourite. Congrats on your momiversary and of course happy bday for Mia 🙂
MLK123
Thank you Tineke so much!
Stephanie
Happy Momiversary! I love that way of thinking about a child’s birthday.
MLK123
Thank you Stephanie!
Angela Kim
I love that your celebrating yourself and motherhood. It’s just as important (if not more) than the actual birthday celebration! This post has been so inspiring and brings back memories of my baby’s first year. Now my older girls have grown and I’m starting all over with a little one. Best of luck to you next year as well!
MLK123
Thank you so much Angela!
Melissa
Happy momiversary! This is a beautiful post. Mia is very lucky to have you as a mom.
MLK123
Aww! Thank you Melissa for your kind words.
Andi
This was beautiful, and congratulations on your first year! It truly is something to celebrate and I absolutely loved this post paying tribute to your life in motherhood.
MLK123
Thank you Andi!