The Importance of Being Still

With my two New York City babies, I was out and about within 48 hours of their births. I would bundle them up, grab my favorite sling, and walk a half-block to the bodega, or around the corner to our beloved coffee shop, the Pillow Cafe. I walked to the playground, the supermarket, and in the case of itty bitty Delia, my second-born, to her older brother Elias' preschool, a brisk 15-minute stroll away.

I remember having to trek into Manhattan when Elias was eight days old to visit my then-midwives. My husband and I ate an early-bird dinner at an Upper West Side diner with E in the Baby Bjorn. All the Bubbes came over to ooh and aah over such a small bundle. Nearly three years later, I co-chaired a day-long fund-raiser at Elias' cooperative preschool when Delia was 10 days old. Again, a few people commented at how tiny she was, but no one scolded me for being out of the house. It just seemed the norm -- to me, at least -- that postpartum city mamas return to city living incredibly fast.

Now that I've had my third -- and almost certainly, last -- child (he was born March 13), I want things to go slower. This is my DC burbs babe, Jonah. He was born at home, in a completely relaxed and loving atmosphere. And for the first time in my postpartum experience, I have no desire to run out and do anything.

Sure, maybe it's because there aren't coffee shops and green grocers  -- or anything except for neighbors' homes -- within a block or two of my house to tempt me away. That's definitely part of it. But it's also because I have a real desire to nest in with this baby. Since my husband is off work this week and taking care of me, all the household chores plus the older kids, I'm content to just relax. This may, after all, be the only week I get a chance to do nothing but focus on a newborn ever again. That wasn't something I thought about with my first two, but now I look at my five-day-old's tiny face and think: "Be still. Enjoy this moment. Don't rush back into the daily blur of domestic life one instant sooner than you have to."

So feel free to call me lazy. I don't care. I am taking it nice and easy this time. I have no merit badges to earn for "fastest postpartum mother to X, Y, Z." I'm going to savor the stillness of this final babymoon, however short it must be due to my husband's schedule and no close family nearby. There will be no Starbucks runs or trips to Target. There will be no premature outings to the local family restaurants. There will be just our little family, hanging out at home, loving our little Maryland arrival.

Originally posted at DC Metro Moms Blog

Comments

[Deirdre]

That is a beautiful sentiment. Enjoy your babymoon.

[patience]

this was SUCH a wise post...I'm going to try to follow...

[Gift of Green]

So agree with you... I think there is also something about knowing with your second how fast time went by with your first and also knowing that it will all be over so quickly (like, those midnight feedings won't last forever and they *will* sleep through the night). Makes it more bittersweet. Congratulations!!

[Stimey]

This is a great post. I hope things are gong well for you guys!

[To Think Is To Create]

I love that I stumbled across this post...I gave birth to my third child, named Jonah, at home, last May. I can't believe he'll be one next month, but yet it seems like he's always been around.

I loved reading your birth story, thanks so much for sharing!