by Laura, mother of 2

Nothing has put me so in touch with both my divinity and my utter “humanness” as being a mother. How much more human can I feel than giving birth with all its messiness and yet how much more divine can I feel than staring into my newborns eyes for the first time?

The juxtaposition goes on and on… the day-to-day diapers, exhaustion, ridiculous moments where you don’t know whether to laugh or cry because it is so hard, and all the mundane chores keep me rooted to the human experience and yet when someone asks me to describe the love I feel for my newborn the immediate response is “infinite and eternal.”

As a new mother I had moments of feeling lost, isolated, and depressed only to be followed by a moment when I would look into my babies eyes, see him smile and then be in communion with the divine. In a split second those moments of connection transcended the struggles.

These children really are little angels- slices of heaven- and I am reminded what a gift it is to be a parent. I am positively overwhelmed by their unconditional love- and when I commune with this presence I get to experience a bit of heaven too.

by Laura, mother of 2

Whoever said that the years go quickly, but the days are long, was so accurate! When I remind myself how precious and (in the big picture) fleeting, these early years with my children are, I enjoy it so much more. I try to keep in mind perspective and purpose. When I connect what sometimes feels like day-to-day drudgery or moments of total exhaustion or complete frustration to a larger perspective and purpose, I am usually renewed. The perspective comes from knowing that time is fleeting–and all significance I give to parenting moments that I have either defined as good or bad are really blips in time.  The purpose comes from reminding myself that there are few things as, or more, important than my love for my children. There are few contributions I can make to the world as meaningful as being the best parent I can be.

by mother of Ben, 3 months

I just had my first child 3 months ago, and wanted to share a list of things I found helpful to bring with you to the hospital when you are delivering:

- A cozy robe, nursing gown, warm socks with non-slip pads.
- Eye shades & ear plugs – hospitals can be very loud & you’ll want to sleep when you can
- If breastfeeding, Soothies or some kind of gel pad for your sore breasts. I also used a nipple cream (my favorite was “Motherlove”- all natural made with marshmallow root & bees wax) which was great and prevented chafing & soreness.
- Boppy or Breast Friend
- Nursing bra
- Ipod & speakers with batteries
- Sugar-free candy to suck on when you can’t eat. Also, anything you want to drink while you are in the delivery room because they may only provide water (most delivery wards have a fridge you can use, just ask)
- Toiletries – pamper yourself with something special, it feels so great to shower with yummy products after a long labor!
- Lotion or massage oil
- Small massager or tennis ball in a sock for massages
- Lip balm or chapstick
- Snacks for your partner
- Camera & batteries
- Pillow from home for you & partner with colored pillow case
- Copy of your Birth Plan
- Going-home outfit for you & baby (you will still feel about 5 months pregnant, so don’t bring your skinny jeans)
- A journal to record your experience and all those first moments with baby you will never want to forget!

by Laura, mother of 2

When I thought about becoming a mother I only envisioned the baby phase. My daydreams seemed to begin and end at my baby being three months old. My vision of motherhood was of me looking and feeling like I did pre-motherhood- except even better because of that special “new mother glow-” holding this beautiful cherub swaddled in a fresh blanket.  And that was pretty much it.

But sometime after my first son was born–perhaps around 18 months–I began to realize that I was a mother for life. I signed up for life! This incredible love, responsibility, and worrying that I experienced over the last eighteen months would last a lifetime. Then I thought about my own mother and all the time, effort, care, and love she gives me (and yes, still gives me even as I near 40). She would often tell me how she was up half the night worrying about my sister or me. I would hear her, but now I understood the meaning of a sleepless night spent worrying. That’s when it sunk in… my baby would always be my baby… at 3 months, at 2 two-years-old, at 6, at 13…16… 24… 32… 40… 50 and beyond!

I think it would have helped me to have this expanded vision before I became a mother. For one, maybe I wouldn’t have been so focused (and controlling) on every little phase my son went through or how I parented during each little moment. Because, god willing, this will last a long lifetime!