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6 Simple Things to Enjoy AFTER Baby Arrives

The last time I wrote, I advised on the 6 Simple Things to Enjoy Before Baby Arrives. However, if your baby is here already, it may seem like a bit of a downer. The many simple luxuries that you no longer have! Therefore, enjoy the following!

1. STARING AT THEM

After waiting all this time, you finally get to see what your little peanut looks like! Gushing at how tiny they are, how cute they are, who they look like. Isn’t this why we get maternity/paternity leave?!

2. SHOWING THEM OFF

Everyone has been waiting to meet your little one! They are excited for you and the journey you’re just beginning. Your baby is YOURS. They prefer YOU. They belong to YOU. And after 9+ months carrying and delivering your baby, you deserve the love and attention of ogling over your baby. Family, friends, and strangers alike! Enjoy it!

3. NOT BEING PREGNANT 

Though some may say it’s all rainbows and butterflies being pregnant, I personally know those last few weeks can drag when you’re ready to just be done. No more sleeping upright, chronic heartburn, full bladder, achy joints, and other diagnosed medical issues like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta previa, PUPP, and other concerns to cause you worry and discomfort. Pregnancy is over . . . you made it!

4. BINGE WATCHING SHOWS

Holding your sleeping baby on your chest. Feeding your baby. Resting and recovering. Totally justifiable. Enough said.

5. COOKING HIATUS 

Graciously accept meals from family, friends, and co-workers. They know caring for a newborn is tough work. Order from your favorite take-out restaurants. It’s a short-lived few months. It will save you time and stress, and it’ll allow more time for sleep, rest, and taking care of your newborn. For the in-between meals, think simple: sandwiches, pre-made granola, healthy trail mixes, nuts, vegetables and hummus, easy fruits (bananas, apples, grapes). After all, you have the rest of your life to cook…!

6. SNUGGLING

Just embrace how much these little ones need you. It won’t be like this for long. (Cue Darius Rucker). So soak in all the snuggles and cuddles they’ll give you!

There is so much to enjoy after baby enters the world. Enjoy it, and try not to get bogged down by any of the potential negatives.

Much Love to You!
Kristi

I almost titled this post 6 Simple Things TO DO Before Baby Arrives. 

Then I realized how stupid that sounds. Of course you have a million things running around in your head that need to get done before baby gets here. Plus your crazy “nesting” to-do list.

So instead, here are small things you should ENJOY before your life revolves around feeding, changing, and keeping a tiny human being alive.

6 Simple Things to Enjoy Before Baby Arrives

1. Painting Your Own Nails
I never realized the luxury of having a few hours at night to veg on the couch and let me nails really, fully dry. Not worrying about having to change a diaper, feed your newborn, rock an infant. AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT.

2. Eating Dinner
PERIOD. Or eating dinner without a newborn latched on at the dinner table. Newborns have an uncanny ability to cry and need you for something right as you sit down to dinner.

3. Watching an Entire Movie in One Sitting
Okay. So this might be tricky, seeing as though you probably have to pause it to pee 10 times throughout a 2 hour movie. However, no worries about spontaneous spit-ups or blow outs or crying spells to interrupt a good flick.

4. Spontaneously Going ANYWHERE (only applies to first-time moms)
Get in and out of the car only worrying about driving and moving yourself! Imagine that. For repeat moms, leave the kids with Dad and go somewhere. Anywhere. Turn up the radio to something other than Frozen. Leave feeding the kids to Dad, because soon, your little peanut will rely on YOU as their sole food source.

5. Showering
Casually. Letting your thoughts wander about randomly. No worries about whether you heard a baby cry, frantically holding the monitor up to your ear. Or whether the baby is breathing in her crib. Or whether or not your toddler is sitting on your newborn. Showering alone without toddlers and babies trying to climb in. Showering with the lights on, like a normal human being, and not with a toddler flicking them on and off repeatedly.

6. Sleep
Choosing to go to sleep whenever you want. Sleeping for longer than 2 hour stretches. Looking forward to sleep, as opposed to looking forward to the daytime, when it’s normal for people to be awake for hours on end.

Does this make me sound bitter and jaded? I’m not. This is just the reality of having little ones! They really are so awesome.

Free snuggles. A constant buddy to hang with. Little humans who love you unconditionally.

These are are just a few reminders of things to consciously enjoy!

Kristi