My life has changed so much in the past 9 months. I went from being someone always on the go, always on the back of horse, always with a board strapped to my feet, always huddled around a campfire in the mountains, always up for any fun, crazy, exciting activity. Its safe to say that in some ways the pace of life has both slowed down and sped up for me since my life was changed by this beautiful girl I call my daughter. Days spent long boarding, snowboarding, floating the river, camping, moving cows, hunting, fishing, etc. have been replaced with long days of diapers, bottles, binkies, disney channel, lazy days at the park, poop, throw up, smiles, laughs, cries, cuddles, giggles, walks, owies, funny faces, and baby talk. I never knew I could stay home all day and still be so busy that I am exhausted by the time I hit the pillow. But above all else, I am happy. Sure there are days I miss the thrill of flying down a back road on a longboard or pulling a large mouth bass out of the lake, but none of it compares to that smile I get on these occasions at home listening to my waking baby.
Its brought on by an overwhelming feeling of unconditional love, knowing that there is a little person in the next room that needs and wants me. Not just for the basics like food, milk, diaper changes, and constant entertainment…but that also needs me and only me for hugs and kisses and cuddles. I smile when I catch her getting into the candy bowl and her face fills with this "uh oh" look. I smile when I put her in the tub and she goes crazy flailing around and laughing because she loves the water so much. I smile because I am often greeted with the biggest smile and a "so glad you are here" face. I smile when she decides she knows how to talk and has a full on conversation with herself. I smile when she tries different foods for the first time and she acts like she can't bare to wait for the next bite. I smile when I walk into the room and she has made the biggest mess out of the most baby proof room in our house. I smile when she makes her squishy faces, I just know she is intentionally trying to make me laugh. Most of all, I smile because I know my life is ten times more full and complete and meaningful than it was just 9 months ago.
No successfully landed 360 on a snowy mountain or sunrise on the back of a horse can compare to this feeling of being a mom. A lot of the adrenaline and thrill of life has vanished since I met Berkley, but the joy and happiness has increased ten fold. So in my mind I have definitely traded up in lifestyle.
In just 4 months our home will be graced with yet another addition to the Reid family. This time its a little boy and I know that means double trouble, double work, double financial stress, double time, double attention, and double worry. But it also means double love, double happiness, and double joy. When Berkley was born I didn't realize I had that much room in my heart, and when I found out I was pregnant again I didn't know how their could possibly be any more room for another baby. But just in the past 5 months this new baby has already taken his place right in there next to Berkley and our family already feels incomplete without him. I can't wait to meet him!
So yes, life has slowed down in ways, and its gotten crazier in others. But I wouldn't trade it for the world and I would never go back to a life without my kids. I imagine that someday when they are old enough we will be shredding the mountain and heading to deer camp as a family, but until then I am perfectly happy right here smiling :)
p.s. I have the best husband to experience all of this with. He is seriously the best :)
No comments:
Post a Comment