When my son turned one it was a very emotional time for me. With his birthday approaching I began to replay the events of my pregnancy and his birth in my head. I thought about his progress over the year and how far he had come. I was a little bit sad that the year had gone by so fast, although relieved that we had made it over some serious humps. As I mulled over these thoughts, something dawned on me. His coming birthday was also my anniversary of becoming a mom. I think most people skip over this fact, forgetting what a special and emotional day it is when one becomes a mom for the first time.  Not only is a new baby born, but a new mother is also born. From that moment on a women’s life is forever changed and there is no looking back.

Over the first year the baby grows leaps and bounds, but the mother also grows. It is often assumed that women automatically know what to do with a baby once they have one. This is the furthest thing from the truth. Although I believe in motherly instincts, there is a lot that a new mom has to learn at first, from breastfeeding to caring for a sick infant. I remember trying to change my son’s clothes for the first time. He was in the NICU and the nurse was watching. I felt so embarrassed as I struggled to get the onesie over head, afraid that I would suffocate him if I didn’t do it fast enough! The funny thing is, I still struggle with getting his clothes on, especially as he now tries to crawl away as i’m doing it! Since my revelation, I have made a point to congratulate my mommy friends on their kids’ birthdays! It’s a special day for them too, signifying the start of a new chapter in their lives.

So as you pour over party bags and piñatas on Pinterest, take a moment to give yourself a pat on the back. Even better, make sure your partner reads this post so he also gets a clue! Maybe he’ll do something special for you like the romantic daddies in this sweet video I found on Huffington Post! It really captured my thoughts on the whole thing. Take a look at this tear jerker and enjoy!

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5830248

© Nicola Rios Nogales and ispeakmom.com, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicola Rios Nogales and ispeakmom.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.