I didn’t plan it, but I spent my last moments of 2024 rocking my sick baby to sleep. He had finally stopped crying, and I indulged in a few extra moments of peace before trying to transfer him to his crib (which ended up being a success, thank goodness).
As torturous it can be trying to console an inconsolable baby, it’s the sweet moments when the chaos finally ends that often feel most precious. I think the universe knew I needed this, to be with our son as the world hurtled into 2025.
It’s been unexpectedly hard to exit a year that has been so magical and transformative. So many good moments and discoveries. Here are just a few from my first year in my mama era.
The color blue. We found out on Christmas Day 2023 that our babe would be a boy. All of 2024, I lit up around baby blues and grew a forever-affinity for the light blue heart emoji 🩵.
Yummy coffee. My morning cup is a joy and something I look forward to as I pull myself out of bed to tend to the baby. Early in the newborn days I released the pressure to be so “healthy” and restrictive with this morning ritual. After long nights and fragmented sleep, the Chobani coffee creamer is all mine.
Contact naps. And the peace that comes with knowing he’s getting a good solid rest.
Spas / massages. Did not go to a spa or get a massage at all in 2024…but can’t stop daydreaming about them which is satisfying in itself. (Dropping major hints for Mother’s Day over here.)
Sandra Boynton board books. I’m a Boynton girlie, and I’m often repeating little funny phrases from her book as we go about our day.
Daycare. Childcare is self-care. My quality time with baby has never been better.
Jess Urlich’s poetry. She so beautifully captures the intricate complexities of motherhood.
Sleep training. Sanity saving, game-changing, mind-freeing. And my baby sleeps better and is all the happier during the day.
Our baby monitor. We use this VTech one constantly, so I always forget just how awesome it is. Definitely recommend getting one that has both a phone app and a separate/dedicated monitor.
My “Mama” necklace from Catbird. I wear it almost every day.
Bears. We kept baby’s nursery fairly plain and streamlined — no apparent theme (since they grow out of those sorts of things so quickly). But in the weeks since his birth I’ve naturally leaned into a brown bear “motif” and it’s kind of fun and cute to have a “thing” like this.
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment. Pricey, and I thought it was over-hyped because of how much it was advertised to me. But after being gifted a sample from my friend…I realize now that that best skincare is when you don’t have to worry about your skin at all. Even in the midst of a cold, dry Upstate NY winter—I just need to apply the tiniest amount to his skin and there is not a hint of dry patches.
Being an oatmeal queen. 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 1 tbsp flax seeds, cinnamon, some chia seeds, Brewer’s Yeast. Dealer’s choice: bananas, walnuts, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, Nutella.
Frida Mom Boy Shorts. Worth every penny.
Telling stories instead of singing songs. I’m not a lullaby person. Instead I like to memorize the words to our favorite books, and it’s a fun little anytime trick to amuse and soothe.
Taking an extra blanket (or two) from the hospital. I still use one to line his changing mat and make it cozier, and it’s a nice memento from our earliest days together.
Following people online who are just a tiny bit ahead of me in motherhood. This July mama is looking at the May/June mamas — getting a peek into what’s around the corner, while still feeling in it with them.
Jellycat. I didn’t know about this brand at all until we were gifted a few items…and they are cute, and quality, and comfy little things that we use every day.
Using Ziploc bags as “packing cubes” for organizing his daily outfits (and alts) during travel. I label them with the corresponding day of the week, and keep them to reuse for other trips (of course).
Bath time. These are the guaranteed moments of zen and smiles and wonder.
My hydration mocktail consisting of equal parts flavored soda water, coconut water, and zero-sugar cranberry juice. Breastfeeding = a next-level preoccupation with hydration.
Footprint art. Worthless in a museum, priceless for us mamas.
Nighttime nursing when the house is quiet and it’s just me and the babe. Not looking to drop that middle-of-the-night feed anytime soon.
Coming back to myself outside of motherhood. Check out my not-so-mom-related favorites on Mind Brew.