Re-awakening the brain

Eleven weeks ago my entire world changed in ways I could never have foreseen. These changes were permanent, life altering, incredible and terrifying. Our little boy arrived very late and quite forcibly into the world. Its clear to me now that neither of us were ready. He was holding onto that cord as tightly as I was unconsciously crossing my legs. Yes, I whined in the traditional way heavily pregnant women do about 'just wanting it out', but that's because I had very naive ideas of what was coming next.

Women spend far too much time scaring first time mothers about the birth (yes its awful - but at least its over in a few hours) and not enough time warning them about what life will be like once their little bundle arrives. You don't even have to have had a baby to pass on a scary birth story. Tales of 3rd degree tears, 2 day labours and shattered pelvis' are standard lead ins from perfect strangers as soon as you say the words 'I'm pregnant'. No detail is spared. As for after the birth? You can expect short and unhelpful generalisations such as 'Your life will never be the same again' and 'Get as much sleep as you can now'. In hindsight, my responses would have been 'Please be more specific' and 'You do realise you can't bank sleep (insert profanity here)?'. I can guarantee you that I was not feeding my son after the birth thinking thank god I had that afternoon nap two weeks ago.

Yes, it has been a challenge so far but it is true that motherhood does come with its rewards. A beaming smile, a daggy giggle or a sleepy cuddle is all it takes to forget the sleepness night prior filled with endless feeds. I repeat, endless feeds.

On a more positive note, I seem to slowly be returning to the real world which as it turns out, did not go on hold because I had a baby. As the title suggests, its time to re-awaken the brain and start using it for more than clock watching. This blog will hopefully keep me sane and able to cope better with the isolation that comes with being a new Mum. Today when my husband comes home from work I will have something to report other than the list of chores I didn't get around to doing. I have started a vent, a vent he doesn't have to hear, but will be obligated to read.