Right about now I’m somewhere between stage one and stage two. Please welcome today’s guest blogger, Crystal, with an honest and humorous take on new motherhood.

You bring your newborn home and try to get your life settled back into a routine. Except, it’s all changed. Whether you’re a first time mother or you’re trying out to be the next Duggar family, a new little person, along with this important role you’ve taken on, needs some getting used to. As such, I am here to counsel you on the 3 stages of motherhood. The transitioning from each may not be pleasant. You may find yourself confused more often than not. But don’t worry, this is normal. That’s why I’m here. To assure you that what you’re going through is normal.

Giddiness

Everything you feel is full of exclamation points! My baby is the cutest baby ever! Can you believe we did this? Just look at those wrinkled fingers and toes! I could munch on those cheeks. I would do anything at all for you. It looks like you need swaddled again for the 1,330th time this hour alone. But Mommy’s here, let’s just bundle you again, you beautiful little cherub. Oh, you spit up! Well isn’t that cute! It’s OK. Yes it is. Even at 3 a.m. I’m always here. I’m just so happy!

Denial

That can not be my child crying again. It can’t be. What is wrong with that kid? Is it defective? There are smells coming from that diaper that can’t be from a human. I swear I just changed it, too. Maybe I gave birth to an alien. Stranger things have happened. All I know is that my child wouldn’t do this to me. My kid would love and appreciate all I do. My child would sleep through the goshdarn night. I love sleep. Why doesn’t my child love sleep? And how does this kid still have so much energy? It makes no sense. I’m doing something wrong. I have to be.

Acceptance

I haven’t gotten a full night of sleep in so long I can’t even remember. My boobs will never be the same. There isn’t a shirt I own without a stain of some sort. I’ve become accustomed to eating a cold dinner. Bodily fluids don’t phase me. I’m lucky if I get to brush my teeth once a day. Let’s not talk about showers.

But here I am, still and always. With open arms. In dire need of deodorant.

All for my child. My heart. And I couldn’t be more proud.

Motherhood, there is nothing else like it. Which may be a good thing.

Enjoy your new baby, Allison!

Crystal is a 30-something freelance writer and stay-home mom to 3 kids, ages 7, 5, and almost 3. When not chasing after her kids, she can be found blogging about them at kidthings.net.

Tagged as: bringing home a newborn, new baby, Parenting, three stages of motherhood