A close friend who is a first-time mom messaged me on Facebook last week, amazed how hubby and I managed to raise 2 kids under 7 with no help while keeping full time jobs and still be sane. And to think that another one is coming in a couple of months.
Wow. Hearing our current situation described, makes even me wonder, how the hell we’re surviving?
While composing my response, my life for the past 6 years flashed by me. Monotonous, repetitive and at times boring. Endless sleepless nights of burping, milk feeding, diaper changing. Long, tiresome days filled with vomits, boogers and boo-boos. Constant barrages of mommy this and mommy that. Months of non-existent sexy times. Rare but heart-wrenching episodes of self doubts (Am I doing enough for the kids? my husband? myself?).
ALL OF A SUDDEN, I WANTED TO SEND HER A LITANY OF MY MOMMY WOES.
How broken-hearted I was the first time I breastfed my eldest and I had no milk. How terrified I was to bathe her on my own that I was only able to do it when she was already a month old. How I cried every time she’ll cry at night waking the whole neighborhood and I had no idea how to make her stop. How I longed for my casual dalaga days when I can just go out and get a beer shot of tequila anytime I wanted to. How scared I was looking at our non-existent bank account wondering how it’s going to tide us over until the next paycheck.
But then I caught glimpse of my phone’s wallpaper and that familiar sadness creeping through my chest vanished.
I remembered the first time my kids called me mamay. Their triumphant smiles on their first steps. Our early morning cuddles. Their sloppy wet kisses and tight hugs. My pride when Cesca memorized her first poem. Our Sunday breakfasts. Our hushed pinky promises. Their never ending kwentos. Holding hands with hubby on our once in a blue moon dates. My kids being smart and healthy. I may have cried a lot of tears but I also smiled a thousand smiles. My life may not be perfect but I am beyond blessed.
I took a deep breath and replied to my friend. I remembered myself 6 years ago, falling into a routine of taking care of my newborn kid, very lonely, wishing I had someone to talk to. And I’m very fortunate to have a friend then who listened and gave me encouragements.
And now I owe it to my friend to be that friend to her.
Aw 😉 This is very good bits! 🙂 I feel ung sincerity ng entry mo… lab it! 🙂 bongga to.. mommy diaries ang peg 🙂
Thanks, bits! Nainspire ako kay Onath (www.jontotheworld.com) Slowly getting back to writing 🙂
Anlalim ng mga words! Nosebleed ako hahahaha pero maganda ang message ng article. Excited na ko sa mga next article u as mommy of 3 kids.
Salamat itay! Ako din excited na 🙂
Congrats Kati! Galing galing 🙂
Salamat madam!
congrats kati! continue to write more interesting blogs ! #mommygoals #lifegoals
Naks! Salamat joey!
ang kateee! hahahaha
haha, supportive mo talaga sakin!
Oh may gad…. that was very heartfelt. Hindi ako isang ina pero naramdaman ko yun. ayun yun eh hahaha galing galing naman…
🙂
salamat onat 🙂 Wala pa din yang sa mga sinusulat mo, lam mong sayo ako nainspire sa mga ganyan ganyan e.
Hello Kath hehe ako ba ung new mom aheheh..Naman ang saya basahin ng article m mas nkaka inspire pa mag anak hehe..Mas na appreciate ko na lalo ang pagging Nanay kay ram :)…
Hello Kath hehe ako ba ung new mom aheheh..Naman ang saya basahin ng article m mas nkaka inspire pa mag anak hehe..Mas na appreciate ko na lalo ang pagging Nanay kay ram :)…
Please write more hehe..lalo na tambay mode na ako sa house 🙂
haha, thanks nga sayo anics for inspiring me to write that post 🙂 Sino namang mag -aakala na after 15+ years e eto na pinaguusapan natin diba?
Love it! It is so important for a mom to find friends who can lend an ear and provide a shoulder to lean on when needed. 🙂
It is! Moms need all the support they can get 🙂
Reminds me of my own bittersweet times. When my kids were babies, I think it was just a routine of crying-feeding-pooping-playing. Haha It was really hard but definitely sweet. Now that they are 2 & 4 (turning 5 this week), I describe it as a C-R-A-Z-Y adventure! 🙂
It can really gets monotonous but rewarding at the same time. One smile or kiss can make it all worth it. Advance happy birthday to your baby as well 🙂
True bittersweet nga. My son is only 4 months old. Minsan stressful but the rewards outweigh the stresses in the end. 🙂
Correct 🙂 It’s really not something that you can ‘prepare’ yourself for. But at the end of the day, it’s the kisses and the hugs that makes it all worth it.
great job mommy! you are obviously in the right track. this is such an inspirational post. Keep sharing your mommy adventures!
Thanks for appreciating 🙂
Your kids are so adorable! 🙂
Thanks!
AW, I can relate this post. Ang hirap talaga mag adjust specially pag first time mom ka. But it’s true our kids is our happiness 🙂 Congrats mommy and God bless you.
Thank you!
Definitely true! Friends are extended family that you can turn to when needed…especially if you’re family is far away from you. Treasure them 😀
They are indeed 🙂
Adorable kids! Mommy support group is good for all of us!
Thanks! I agree especially for first time moms, will need all the support they can get 🙂