It started immediately. Pretty much the day I gave birth to Maddie Grace. The mommy ache set in full force. That overwhelmingly heartbreaking feeling that is unavoidable and only mommies can understand. The first few weeks there were several days I spent hours just crying over the fact that my little baby was going to grow up. That may sound crazy to anyone who doesn’t have a child of their own but if you are a woman who plans to have children just wait. It’s coming.
Why do they have to grow up? Why can’t they stay little precious babies forever?
It’s bittersweet. It’s absolutely amazing to watch your children grow up. Maddie Grace is only 10 months old but every new stage and little thing she learns lights up my life. But the mommy ache is still there. My precious little newborn that spent all day sleeping on my chest is now about twice that size and almost walking and bursting at the seams with personality.
So I’m trying to suck in all these sad feelings and just live every day with Maddie Grace. This means putting down my phone, closing my book or turning off the TV, and focusing all of my attention on her. Being present in my time with Maddie Grace and keeping in mind that she is growing up – quickly – and that my time at home with her is short. I am working on not dwelling in the sadness that surrounds these facts but embracing the happiness that each day with her brings.
If you are a mom how have you dealt with the Mommy Ache?
I don't think the Mommy Ache ever goes away completely. My daughter will graduate from high school in just months now, and I'm not prepared for it. Not at all.
Sometimes I'm not great at expressing my feelings or showing that I care. And I hope that all my kids know that I love each of them. More than anything.
Claire, this is so sweet and heart warming. It is such a blessing that you are there for all the changes that she experiences.
I so totally get what you are saying!!! I LOVE the infancy stage and wish I could keep them a month old forever! I love to see them grow and see all the stages, but there is something about a newborn that I just love. As a mom with 4 kids…one 17, 13, 9 and 2…there are so many more mommy aches to come!! Get ready… 🙂
I don't think it ever goes away girl! My little man is now 20 months old and I remember feeling those same emotions when he was a newborn. Then as he grew, I would watch him and tears would fill my eyes because he was growing so fast. Now we are expecting our second at the end of the month and since March 1 hit and I realized how close we were to having two I have been so emotional. I cannot tell you how many times I look at him and think how he is no longer going to be my baby!! I don't know how it goes so fast. I think we will always have that mommy ache – it's because of that mommy love. Oh it's some of the most powerful love around!
The Mommy Ache never goes away. I have 4 kids (10, 8, 3, and 1) and they are growing up way too quickly. The childhood years are fleeting. Enjoy every moment! (By the way, that first picture is beautiful!)
I loved reading this, and it makes my heart ache thinking about another ache to come! My hubby and I are trying for Baby #1, and I have pre-mommy ache all over the place. Why does having children cause so many aches?! 🙂 Your little one is adorable!
4 babies later, I still suffer the mommy ache. And just when I thought that 'closing the factory' would allow me a resistance to the mommy ache, I'm now looking into adoption.
I don't really do work when they're awake, only when they're asleep. It's not very good for me but I get to spend more time with them that way.
jessica / http://www.teamwiking.com