Hellobee Boards

Just how compelled/driven I would be to do the absolute best for my baby girl, even if it was just fractionally better, sleep be damned!

And how much she is my heart. I feel like my heart grew several sizes the second I laid eyes on her.

That bonding would take some time--it wasn't instantaneous for me. Bu7t when it happened, I really did/do love him to pieces. Also, (I sounds like a broken record with this one, I know), how difficult breastfeeding can be! And finally, how protective/possessive I can be of LO. Sometimes I don't want anyone but me or Dh holding him.

I was most surprised how fluidly I fell into the mom role despite my fears. I hadn't babysat in years. I was mildly terrified that I would struggle with motherhood. Instead, changing diapers, feeding, etc. came more naturally than I originally thought. I was also surprised by how awesome it is to have someone be soothed by you and excited to see you as their mom, that was powerful for me.

I am the most surprised how out of whack the hormones get. I was fine all my pregnancy and since about day 3 of being a mom, I can be happy one minute and crying over a commercial the next minute. It's really hard and i feel so bad for DH

@Hilsy85: I am relieved to see that someone else feels the same way, i.e., possessiveness. When my MIL hovers over the baby before I do the official changing of the guard in the morning before work, it's all I can do to bite my tongue and tell her to back off (she's my baby, and you get to see her all day!). I also had a really rough time BFing, and but for a lactation consultant coming to the house several times, I never would have made past the first month.

@CascadeMom: The other night, when I went to soothe LO when she woke up after bedtime, when I came back the living room, DH described my baby girl's reaction to me coming in the room (instantly relaxed and more quiet - he was watching on the monitor), and I started crying on the spot. The idea that I am that person for someone was so empowering/powerful that I was completely overwhelmed with emotion.

The love. I never knew I could love someone this much.

@Bree72: True! I have never felt more physically and emotionally exhausted in my life. And we had family drama on top of that . . . seriously. I was remarkably calm about it, but basically, people just needed to get over themselves and realize that it wasn't about them!