I am used to running around and doing a million things in one day–shopping for a client, art directing a photo-shoot, blogging, grocery shopping, a phone consult–but since Ida was born things have changed. I am doing a lot more sitting around, so much so, that I think I’ve created a permanent crater in our living-room sofa :P. With the breast feeding situation as it is I rarely have more than four pumped ounces of milk in the fridge at one time and I have not yet driven with alone with just Ida and me in the car, so we go out just as a family when the three of us are able. Also, my neighborhood (hilly and a touch on the dicey side) isn’t great for talking stroller walks. Although I know we won’t be sedentary forever–being jungalow-ridden has drastically changed my lifestyle.
Yesterday I had four extra ounces pumped so I got to duck out for a few minutes and I got my eyebrows waxed and got a gelato. When I got home I felt so refreshed and pumped to pump, to be a good mom and quite contented to sit in my corner of the couch. The little things have become huge.
While it’s been hard to adjust to just hangin’ so much, it’s also been a restful, pensive, contemplative time. Besides getting to know, and enjoy my little girl, I’ve also had a chance to read magazines, catch up on some of my favorite T.V. shows and blogs and I’ve been able to create lists of projects I can’t wait to get off the ground once Ida is a bit older and we aren’t attached at the breast 24/7.
One of the things I got a chance to do was read through At Your Leisure Zine–a Zine by Jon Lo‘s company, J3 Productions. The gorgeous issue is all about ‘Flow’.
As I flipped through the pages, I realized that I am getting into this new flow. It’s a leisurely flow (despite the somewhat sleepless nights). It’s a flow that is more the flow of a calm creek than that of a rocky, tumultuous river–and for now, that’s good. Not over-achieving is something that I need to work on. It’s enough to feed and play with Ida all day–there will be more photo shoots and homes to decorate in the future–but for now, I need to focus on Ida, and totally adjusting to this calm, new mommy rhythm.
How long did it take you to adjust to a drastic lifestyle change? Maybe it was moving to a new neighborhood, or like me, having a child. Was there a definitive moment when you felt ‘adjusted’ or after a certain amount of weeks or months did it just begin to feel natural? When did it start to Flow?
Nursing photos by Jen Lauren Grant, all other photos by J. Blakeney
You’re an awesome mama! Way to stick with the breastfeeding. I became a first-time mama not long before you (I was expecting a Leo baby but ended up with a beautiful Cancer boy). Breastfeeding was a huge hurdle for me–a 5 week learning curve to get the right latch and then several weeks on top of that to really get in the groove.
We’ve been fortunate enough to do exclusive breastfeeding all the way through and I’m so happy to have stuck to it, even when it got really hard. During that time I adopted a different flow of life. Sleeping is different but also my priorities are crystal clear. What a huge transformation it has been.
Now, 11 weeks into my baby’s life I’m finding a new rhythm. He and I are learning so much from each other. Because things started off so hard I’ve been putting forth more intention to give thanks for the day, and the little things that make it was it is.
Starting this month, I’ve promised to do something new with my baby every day. It makes even the sitting around and breastfeeding even more adventuresome. Some of the new things are magical–like going on a quick walk and finding really pretty trees in the city to look at–and some of it is banal–like going to the post office to mail a bill.
I find that his first year is going to be a year of wonderful firsts and I get to delight in even the smallest of things–the first rainfall of his life, the first letter addressed to him, the first time he’ll listen to the Jackson 5…
Enjoy your beautiful baby and this magical time!
I love your idea of “something new everyday”– I may have to borrow the idea! Thanks for sharing your story!
For me it was a month and the three of us got into a nice rhythm. Then I had to go back to work after 3 months, which took another month to adjust to that. But it’s all practice so you can learn to adapt quickly and quietly as they get older. He is now 2 and I am definitely more “go with the flow” then I have ever been. I am a very plan oriented person and had to learn home is a free for all with few set in stone plans from one day to the next. In contrast I may now over plan at work to feel some control of my life.
I have absolutely not found my ‘flow’ yet but if it is anything as peaceful and calm as you say it is…I can not wait! Enjoying the calmness of life is so difficult when your always trying to achieve, which is what I have been doing through studying & various other things…carving out my career path!
Great to see there is calm at the end of it all!
Have a fab weekend
x
babies — so tiny, but they pack so much punch! while ida’s little presence has been a challenge, it’s also been a blessing of a reminder to all of us about the need to slow down & focus again on human life outside of the whirlwind of our creative lives. glad you are getting into the flow & as well as some time to catch up on good reads..!
i would love to visit you again soon <3
yes yes yes. focusing on human life. my new mantra. looking forward to seeing you when you have a moment!
2 years ago we decided to leave the city behind us and we move to a more quiet beachy town. I was working as a designer for tv spots and the change was drastic! I spent a year travelling from my house to the city but this year I said STOP and I began working from home and devote myself fully to my vegetable garden. I think is starting to flow… very slowly but Im on it :)
Your family looks adorable!
kiss
Carola
oh gosh that sounds lovely–and that reminds me of how neglectful I’ve been of my vegetable garden! *oops!*
I’m right there with you! My boy is three months old and I am still trying to figure out a routine of sorts. I realized that if I made it through my top three priorities (exercise, read my Bible, and snuggle with Owen) I would call it a good day. If I got anything else accomplished during the day, I would call it a great day:) It seems like you’ve really got a great outlook on spending time with Ida and I can’t wait to see how she grows into your life.
~Jennifer
I was just cleared to exercise today by my doctor–I have a feeling that’s going to help a lot to feel more energized. it’s a good plan to start with the top priorities–and to keep them fundamental. Thanks for sharing!
You are just awesome.
I have had three children and it is hard to pinpoint any particular moment. I know when we decided to have out first, the plan was to quit my floral design job and just be a mama. So the mindset of just doing that was already there. I too had a cesarean which does delay so much. I do know though that eventually that settled feeling hit and the contentment of just being a mama was pretty blissful. Slowly and naturally you start easing back into society and life and career which then gives you another dimension of yourself to give to your child. We then had a second and I felt like well this should be much easier since it wasn’t a totally new experience, but as always life surprises and again reminds you that the new baby is in control. Our second was born with a heart defect, so again a new experience, we didn’t come home for 6 weeks and that was spent 12 hours from home. She just turned 12 the other day and is successfully navigating thru fifth grade with Aspergers. We then had a third, Ha, crazy we are, she is the life of the party. Each child brings so many blessing, trials and triumphs to our lives. We have learned a few mantras along the way. Don’t sweat the little stuff. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Enjoy each precious moment. And… This too shall pass.
I love being a mom and obviously you do too. It is so enjoyable reading your posts, it brings back so many memories.
Keep up the good work Ida Mama
what a beautiful photo or your and your sweet girl! just when you find your flow everything will change. it is truly a wild and wonderful ride, being a mother. i so enjoy reading about your experience and seeing your honest and magical photos. i hope to be going through it again soon too!
I’m a first time commenter but have thought about it so often after reading your baby posts. My oldest is now 12 but I remember thinking OMG this is so much harder than I thought it was going to be. First, even though I was an older mom, I felt like I might have well been 15 when I got home from the hospital. Secondly, I had a million challenges with breastfeeding (which finally did end up working and I was an annoying NO FORMULA first time mama until I had a 3rd kid and realized if 90% of his nutrition is breast milk, 10% formula was not going to damage him – just saying maybe that’ll help you give up the pump which is such a giant PITA). But back to the first kid and getting into a rhythm, I thought it took forever. I was so much lonelier than I thought I’d be. I was at home breastfeeding and watching law and order reruns (and feeling guilty about that) and just felt completely alienated. I loved my daughter but my husband left the house early and came back late and I was just so alone. The biggest thing that helped me was to join some mommy and me groups. There are a million different ones in LA and as corny as you may think it is, you will meet moms with kids exactly your kid’s age, who are going through the same challenges you are at roughly the same time. And you can breastfeed there without a shred of self-conciousness. Also, remind yourself that you’re in survival mode right now and nothing you do will ruin your baby (e.g. not getting her into a schedule, having her sleep on you or with you, giving her a paci, letting her have formula, holding her too much etc etc). I was so worried after reading baby books and listening to the wrong people that it took me awhile to just let go and flow. Now all 3 of my kids sleep in their own beds, don’t have pacifiers, are healthy and don’t expect me to hold them 24 hours a day! Good luck…I can tell you’re going to be an awesome mom, but it is a hard one so go easy on yourself.
We are so excited to be nominated and were thrilled to find out that we were the only brand to be nominated as finalist in THREE categories!!!