It's Been A Month.

It's been a month since we launched and we're still so excited to be able to share ours and other mum's experiences. We had talked about creating this blog for a couple of months and we just went for it. A month of writing articles, social media posts and trying to navigate the technical side of running website across different time zones. It has been exciting and fulfilling to be able to share this with you.

That's the thing with the one month mark. One month doing anything new is an exciting space. It's an area of still learning and grasping, but not as panicky as first day you start out on something unexpected. You have a bit of experience under your belt, but you wouldn't call yourself an expert. So we thought we would share some other "one month mark" experiences.

One month pregnant

Did you even know you were pregnant at one month? Also, was anyone else surprised that the first two weeks of your 40 weeks, you're not even pregnant. I remember being sure my doctor had miscalculated when he said I was 5 weeks pregnant as I had only just missed my period.

However, around the time my period was due, I had an inkling. I was getting my usual tender breasts and bloating that usually comes with my monthly PMS but that month felt different and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I kept pushing the thought out my head thinking nah, I couldn't be. One week later I took a test and then...

One month baby

One month with a newborn. There's a few words that spring to mind.

Sleep deprived.

Sore.

Emotional.

Stressful.

But also. Completely in love. In so much bliss. Absolutely in awe. I was lucky to not experience post partum depression. I was so tired but so in love with my son. I just wanted to soak it all up. I was also fortunate to have a village around me. My mother moved in for the first couple of months and she helped take care of the cleaning and making sure I ate and had some time to shower. But, I still looked like shit. Waking up every couple of hours to feed and covered in baby milk vomit. That was my look. But I didn't care.

By a month, the panic that I was suddenly going to drop my baby or hurt him had disappeared. But the stress of SIDS had not gone away and made "nap when the baby naps" almost impossible. But still, the cuddles and the smell of new born baby. It makes all that tiredness almost go away. Almost being the key word.

One month weaning

Lots of is he going to choke. And what is that face? Does he hate the food or is he silently choking. Maybe baby lead weaning isn't the way. And the reality that for the rest of his life (or at least the next couple of years) you are responsible for feeding this human three times a day with something other than breast milk dawns on you. It's a lot of time in the kitchen, making food that either wont be ate, thrown up or splashed onto the floor.

One month in nursery

As a stay at home mum, after a month in nursery, the pangs of missing your son subside. Now I have time to do something else. Maybe the house might be clean for longer than thirty minutes. Maybe.

Suddenly you have some time on your hands to do something that might be just for you. Its quite nice. And the hugs you get when you pick them back up from nursery is just the sweetest thing.

One month back at work

Wow - why does it feel like I never left? However, now you are being held to an impossible standard “work like you have no kids, parent like you have no job”.

One month back and the novelty of going back wears off and the new routine is starting to embed. This can sometimes cause difficulties in family dynamics as they shift again - “we both work, why am I still always doing the dishes?” “I’m not on Mat leave anymore - let’s split up pick up responsibilities”.

Looking at the positives though - hot tea/coffee, adult level conversation and a “fresh” start at work. Most importantly, getting cash injection back into your life - Mat pay is hard man!

One month Dad

Normally back to work by this point unless your company is amazingly progressive! 2 weeks standard paternity seems so wholly unfair, 2 weeks to support your recovering partner and to welcome your newborn into the world flies by.

That first month turns you into a father and a really proud partner (women are amazing, there we said it!). One month in and you are finally getting the hang of it, you’re sleep deprived and you’re going back to work. Hang in there, it does get easier!