While reading through the comments on that post, I read one from Natalie at Crummy Mummy that’s stuck with me – “Sounds like you’re getting a bit broody to me!!”
And I think I have to agree, there is definitely a sense of broodiness about me at the moment. I’m not sure if that means I want another baby though, I think maybe it means that my children are getting older and I’m feeling a bit nostalgic for those early, new baby days.
There are definitely some hard parts to the newborn days, and after having my first I was really quite shell-shocked I think. But second time around it all felt much easier and now there are a few things that I’m finding myself missing about those early days:
All of a sudden there’s this brand new person in the world. And there’s something about that newness that, while a bit scary at times, is really just amazing.
A whole new person to discover and learn about. A new set of quirks to find out about. A new pile of questions, just waiting to be answered with time.
There’s still so much for me to discover and learn about my children as they continue to grow, but I do miss that brand-newness that came with the baby days.
2) The smell.
Oh that wonderful new baby smell. You just can’t beat it.
3) The bubble.
By which I mean that wonderful new baby bubble, when it’s almost like everything else just stops for a bit, and your whole world is reduced to you, and your family.
It doesn’t last long, especially if it’s not your first baby, but for that short time it’s lovely.
4) The firsts.
The first bath at home. The first gassy smile, and the first real one that goes all the way to their eyes. The first time they reach out and bat at a toy. The first time they roll over. The list goes on. The first year as a whole is a year of firsts, and it’s wonderful.
I know I still have a lot more ‘firsts’ to come, but there’s something special about the new baby ‘firsts’!
I’m sure there are more things that I’ve missed off this list, but the thing is, I just miss those baby days as a whole at times. They go so quickly, and before you know it you’ve got a walking, talking toddler on your hands. And I’m sure in another year’s time I’ll be writing about all the things I miss about having a toddler, as my daughter will be three, and entering the realms of ‘little kid’!
I suppose the key is to just try and be ‘present’ at each stage. I’m not saying for a second that we should cherish every moment, of every stage, because that’s just impossible.
It’s more that we should stop every now and then, at each stage, and just drink it all in.
Because all too soon that moment will be gone.
Are you out of the new baby days? What do you miss the most? Or are you actually just happy to be out of that stage?!
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Oh I believe you. My baby is 18 months old now, and I miss the newness and the squee I may just explode of cuteness. Though those days were tough, they were amazing as well.
Haha, love the way you describe those early days! x
Aw I love that new baby smell! My youngest turns 2 next week and I’m missing the baby stage. The toddler stage is awesome too, but I miss those newborn snuggles!
I wonder if that new baby smell is nature’s way of getting us to keep making more babies! x
I am so pleased you wrote this. I always felt so lucky to be at home with you three. …and then horribly guilty when you and I started at school at the same time. I felt I had abandoned you. But needs must. Hope you have forgiven me!
I don’t remember ever feeling abandoned by you! But now I have my own children I can understand how you must’ve felt back then. It’s so hard, isn’t it. x
I so understand what you are saying, I loved the baby stage, well clearly as I had 6! Only hormones will tell you when you’ve had enough babies. #KCACOLS
Oh those pesky hormones, I’m not sure they can be trusted! x
Mother remembers everyone telling her to enjoy the new baby phase as it doesn’t last. Whilst she does like it better now I’m bigger and more robust, she does sometimes feel wistful for that ‘newness’ you describe x #KCACOLS
Oh the ‘newness’, there’s something special about that newness. x
Thanks so much for the mention and I love your post! I’m broody too because the baby days are behind us with Little B too now. I think it’s the smell I miss the most, and the ‘newness’ xx #KCACOLS
Haha, thanks for prompting the post! x
Oh yes! I can so relate to this. I’ve been having similar feelings. Wondering if I’m feeling broody or missing all those baby stages again. I completely agree, that it’s so important to try and cherish the here and now a lot more than I do. I’m in a toddler stage and a school age stage now but I know that I’ll be mourning those stages before too long! Thanks for the reminder! #KCACOLS x
Sounds like we’re at about the same stages! x
I know what you mean. Dot is 18 months old today and is no longer my little baby. She has grown up so much.
You’re right. We really should stop once in a while and take it all in.
Laura xx
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday 🙂
It’s funny isn’t it, how quickly the baby days disappear! x
Love this. I have a 5 week old (and a toddler) and, despite exhaustion, am really enjoying all those moments you described and trying to savour it all, knowing it will probably be the last time. Number 4 especially made me smile. #KCACOLS
I think knowing it’s probably the last time you’ll experience it, you do pay a bit more attention don’t you, soaking it all in, even through the exhaustion! x
Oh yes I totally agree with you! The baby smell is just lovely 🙂 My third {and last} baby is due in July I can’t wait to go through it one last time x
See now you’re making me think that three would be really nice! x
aww reading all these baby posts is making me super broody 🙂 #KCACOLS
Haha, sorry! x
I agree with everything you said. I definitely miss the new baby stage. My youngest just turned 2 and it seems like it was just yesterday that I was breastfeeding her and rocking her to sleep. #KCACOLS
The time really does go so quickly doesn’t it, the baby stage is over before you know it! x
My kids are 10 years apart, but my youngest is now 5, so the baby days are long gone. There are things I miss, those willing cuddles and snuggles, the look of love and dependance in their eyes. Adorable bath times, simple walks in the stroller, the way the simplest things made them happy. But, I think I am okay, I think I am at the point I am ready to say no more babies, but even now, saying it makes me sad! #KCACOLS
It’s strange isn’t it, that you can be quite ok with the fact that you won’t have any more babies, but at the same time it makes you sad! x
Oh the smell, you cant beat it!! I used to soak up every bit of that new baby smell, I still feel like crying when I smell a new baby now! My youngest two are three and two this week and I’m so emotional! #KCACOLS
Oh no, I hope I’ve not added to your emotional state! That smell though, if only you could bottle it! x
Totally agree with all points, they grow so fast that when you stop and take a look back it’s like hey where did this time go. I miss the whole excitement of welcoming a new baby as well and definitely the new baby smell #KCACOLS
It’s crazy isn’t it, how fast the time goes! x
I definitely miss the newborn stage and miss all the things you mentioned! I think it will be really different having a second one and much more challenging and tiring. Plus I’m enjoying life as 3 – I want to enjoy my babe a little more before adding another to the mix.
I’m not ready to pack it in with kids, but not ready to dive in all over again. It was hard and I remember it being hard. Honestly I just need a break (bet you havent heard that before!)
Cute post #KCACOLS
I think it’s a really personal thing isn’t it, knowing if and when you’re ready to do it all over again. x
I’m not one for getting broody but there is that special something you can only get with a newborn isn’t there #kcacols
There really is! x
I am 15 weeks in with a baby and we are having lots of firsts! xx
#KCACOLS
Oh you’re making me a teeny bit jealous with that comment, haha! x
I definitely didn’t appreciate the newborn stage with Mini R. I will cherish it with my second when the time comes #KCACOLS
I think, even though you’re busier, in a way you really can cherish it more second time round, you’re a bit less shell-shocked maybe! x
I miss the newborn days only really from the point of fact that our little girl is 6 and has just grown up sooo fast. Predictably, I don’t miss the massive, leaky boobs (!), the obvious sleep deprivation, the endless feeds, winding etc etc. No, I don’t miss those lol #kcacols
Haha, is it a bit weird that part of me does miss those things a little bit?! I didn’t manage to breastfeed my first, so doing so with my daughter was really special to me, so I think back quite fondly on those days of leaky boobs and endless feeds! x
Yes, I agree with all of those. We’ll probably just have the two, & youngest is 21 months now – it is a bit sad. #KCACOLS
There is a sadness to it isn’t there, even if you’re certain that your family is complete! x
Oh this is really lovely. I was completely shell shocked with my first and found the newborn days really difficult but as we are starting to look forward to our second arrival I find myself starting to think about the bits is did enjoy…the bubble and the newness really stood out for me from you list. I’m looking forward to some special, world stopping, family time however tired and sore I may feel. I’m also looking forward to a drink this time round much more than I did first time! I think that may be the toddler that’s done it!! #TheList
Thank you so much for your comment. I really did find things easier the second time around, you’re more prepared for what’s coming! Hope you enjoy that first drink after your second arrives! x