You are the best thing that ever happened to me, I could just leave it at that.
I have absolutely no intention of embarking on a feeble attempt at poetry, yet writing is what I do, and you are the best thing that ever happened to me.
So I can’t just leave it at that.
When they put you in my arms for the first time, all huge blue eyes and defiant screams, I knew I had found what I was searching for. In those few seconds this fact was as much a surprise as it was unequivocal, up until that moment I hadn’t realised I was searching.
My love for you is more often than not, overwhelming. I’m not sure I expected that. Sometimes I find that I lose hours, maybe whole evenings, just watching you sleep. I didn’t realise there was such peaceful contentment in doing not a lot of very much at all.
You wake up every morning beaming, you are always so pleased to see your Daddy and I. In fact you are thrilled to the core by just about everything, the laughter a new discovery evokes is infectious. I now endeavour to appreciate the simplest of pleasures, you teach me to, every single day. I hope more than anything that life continues to bring you such delight.
The compliments arrive frequently, how beautiful you are, how alert and joyful. My heart swells with pride to the point where I can feel it in my bones. Inevitably my world has changed in so many ways but there are many aspects that remain the same, there are still difficult decisions, endless lists and unmade beds. Yet your very existence bestows an almost indefinable positivity and softness, nothing seems impossible anymore.
You blunt the jagged edges of the daily grind.
I had resigned myself to the belief that becoming your Mama would result in my career taking a back seat, nearing your imminent arrival I was more than prepared for the reversal. Yet here I am, more inspired than ever. Turns out I am more adept at multi-tasking than I gave myself credit for.
I want you to be as proud of me as I am of you.
It would be misguided to only highlight the euphoria motherhood provides, I need to mention the acute sense of responsibility, the constant concern over your wellbeing. I have discovered fear I didn’t even know existed. But it’s manageable, and a small price to pay for your perpetual sunshine.
Pumpkin, pudding, cutie. Sweetpea, munchy, cherry pie. I never seem to run out of terms of endearment, and I’m sure as you grow you will be embarrassed by them, and my obvious adoration in general. I’m fine with that, I shall just ignore you. And carry on regardless.
My Mabel, you are the best thing that ever happened to me and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my days on this crazy adventure with you. We make a great team, you, your Daddy and I. I never knew happiness like this was even possible.
For now I’ll just leave it at that.
Side Note: Happy Monday Folks!, I’m thinking of putting together some kind of memory book for Mabel, I was wondering if anyone is/has done something similar? I’m not sure what I mean yet, perhaps a collection of images and words? anyway let me know if you have any ideas, thanks! x
Crying. So well said. It’s hard to put it into words isn’t it. But as ever you have done a brilliant job.
I am yet to sort Leo’s book. I have a photo from each day of his first year so picking my favourites is so difficult… As is assigning some time to get it complete. I’ll let you know if I ever get around to it. Someone bought me a book that you fill out as you go but in the madness of being a new Mum I didn’t do it. I’m looking forward to opening it up though and trying to go back into my memories and figure out what happened when.
That’s what I’m worried about – forgetting things! I can’t believe it has been 6 months already, where does the time go?! Sorry to make you cry love, have a biscuit on me 🙂
This is beautiful. As a mama to a 7 week (today!) wee man, I totally understand that terrifying sense of responsibility and constant concern for his well being. Becoming parents is the single most amazing and challenging thing my husband and I have ever (and will ever) do but ultimately we created a another person, a little dude who, quite honestly, is utterly perfect. Go mama’s and daddies everywhere! X
Thanks Tallulah! it is indeed terrifying, and puts so many other things into perspective doesn’t it? x
What a beautiful post Charlotte. My mum made me a book when I was born, I still have it and bring if out often, it has my cards from people, my hospital tag, poems and writings and documents of the kind of baby I was. It’s such a beautiful thing to look back on. One of my most treasured possessions. Oh and also my parents are positively obsessed with me and I have never been embarrassed by it. To feel such unconditional love has always just overrode their, at times OTT ways! 🙂 Haha
Alethiea this made me laugh! I think I might be obsessed with Mabel too 🙂
That’s lovely to hear about your book, I must definitely put something together! x
Just beautiful. And so true. It is overwhelming how much you can love a tiny person. When I was pregnant with my second I was concerned that it wouldn’t be possible to love another baby as much. But as soon as Alice arrived I realised there was, and still is. They are my world. Instead of a book they each have a beautiful wooden box that my mum had made for them. It has their names on them and inside it is lined with the prettiest fabric with little pockets for holding treasures. They are already piled full of cards, mementos, first shoes, photos etc so I’m sure I will do some editing at some point but I think they will make a beautiful box of treasures for when they are older. My mum actually had one made for my wedding day and filled it with all sorts of notes, photos and things from when I was little along with my something old, new, borrowed and blue. It was so cute and actually made me think I may put the girls boxes away until a special birthday for them to enjoy.
I think that too Charlotte, that I can’t imagine loving another child as much, but you must obviously, it’s just difficult to comprehend at this stage I guess.
I have actually begun saving her certain bits and pieces, I’m hoping to give her a big box of stuff on her wedding day or some other special occasion 🙂 x
Aw Charlotte this post should come with a tear jerker alert! You’ve managed to capture exactly how I’m sure all mums feel. I was bought the ‘Our Story, for My Son’ book which is quite sweet. There’s a daughter one too, you can take a gander on Amazon here – http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1907048421/ref=pd_aw_sims_1/277-0247719-6808669?pi=SY115&simLd=1
Thanks for the tip Jennifer, I’m glad you liked the piece, I had a lot of things in my head that I needed to say and though the 6 month mark was a good a time as any x
Oh Charlotte… the biggest love ever!
I have to admit I shed a small tear too. These six months must have flown, a little book is a great idea. Why not start her off, then when she’s old enough she can take it over… school projects, photos of her best friends, holiday memories. She’ll really treasure it in years to come (I have something similar from my school days) and you will too xxx
That’s such a good idea! I am gutted I never kept any of my school projects and things, such a shame! Big Love back at ya x
It was the cutest thing Charlotte. My uncle got it for me, called ‘School Days Treasure Album’ – a section for each year, it had a little pocket to put keepsakes in, then spaces to write loads of little facts and snippets. At some point in primary school I added the category ‘Worst Friends’ and scrawled “I hate Barbara – she is a cow”… no idea what she did to upset me!
While it’s in your head now, buy a little journal and make a start. Even if you just write a few words once a year, it’ll be amazing xxx
Hahhahahaha! Poor Barbara?! you are right, I do need to do it now, I’ll go on line this evening and at least buy a book of some kind, thanks Karen!
I have a box of keepsakes – there is so much cute stuff I couldn’t bring myself to pass on or shove in the loft! x
Oh no, keep it all!!
Remember too that in a few years, Mabel will be able to read back into the archives of RMS and see all the wonderful things you’ve written about her (unless the Internet explodes one day). How cool is that?
In that case… Hi Mabel! xxx
Totally agree with Jennifer, this needs to come with some kind of warning – a tear actually dripped into my salad! And little ones aren’t even in my plans yet. Just so beautiful (Mabel and your words) xx
I’m sorry about your salad Siobhan! thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it x
Beautiful, and I’m sure Mabel will be touched to read this in the future. I wish that I will have this feeling someday soon… xx
I think I will print it out and put it her her memory book/journal. All the love and luck in the world to you M-J x
Wow. I think you’ve summed up how just about every mum feels, me included. Welled up reading that-just beautiful. x
Thanks so much Kirsty, gosh – I didn’t mean to make everyone cry this morning 🙂 I’m glad it came across and I meant it to x
What a beautiful post! Tears are streaming down my face as I read especially as my little boy (4 weeks today) is sleeping in my arms.
I started putting together a memory book using a traditional photo album – I printed out all the photos I had taken over the past few weeks on my phone via photobox and then did a little caption or write up for each one. I’ve also been keeping a little diary of what we’ve been up to and I’m going to turn it in to a book where I’ll detail each months triumphs and put up a collage of photos from that month to show how much he’s grown and developed throughout the year 🙂
That’s it Natasha, I need to start a diary or something, with all the best intentions I just don’t record things as much as I should.
Savour these next 5 months, they go so quick x
“nothing seems impossible anymore.” Love this. It amazes me how much more you can do once you’ve had a child. I struggled with my first (not that I didn’t adore her), all fine now but it changed me in a good way, I’m now much more positive & think there isn’t anything I couldn’t do. In fact, having two girls spurs me on more to be a good role model to them.
Re the memories, we set up email addresses for them. It works brilliantly in that we send them little notes, photos all the time & when I email my husband about something they have done, said etc. I copy them in to it, he also does the same. It’s incredibly quick & easy to do. My sister (also a Godmother) sends them emails from time to time such as their first day at school. I also intend to do a memory box each when I get round to clearing the house out!!!
Grainne that is such a great idea! how clever, I will mention that to my husband tonight.
I also feel that I can do anything, and that I give even less of a toss what other people might think (and I didn’t care that much before!)
It’s very…..empowering. I think that is the word I am looking for x
A memory book is a lovely idea. When big life events happen you end up with lovely photo albums but sadly these do not always get looked at as often as they should. But a book to update and record all the little milestones would keep memories constant – and you are a bit OCD like me – in order.
We used to make photo albums years ago Claire, I still love looking at them now but sadly they finish in about 2006 🙁
I guess digital really did take over and we just stopped getting stuff developed. Need to remedy that x
I’m not a parent, but I just read this and had a little cry. I felt every word. I’m sure when she’s older she’ll absolutely cherish this letter.
Thanks Sarah x
*Sob* this is one of my fave ever RMS posts and its making me very excited to meet my little one due in December!
A memory book is exactly what I plan to do for my boy. In fact Ive already started. I bought this lifetime diary from amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/SUCK-UK-Life-Story-Diary/dp/B0040Q1UH2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411996236&sr=8-2&keywords=life+diary
I’ve started by just putting scan pics in and writing little snippets about how excited we are to meet our son. Will try to get round to putting a preggers photo in there too. It has sections in there to write 4 times per year so I plan to do it for him until he gets old enough to write/draw special moments in there. I hope to keep printing pictures to stick in over the years too. I’m considering buying this little photo printer to make this job easier:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-Instax-Share-SP-1-Printer/dp/B00K6MSBJ4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411996402&sr=8-2&keywords=fujifilm+instax+printer
I know it seems a bit spendy but I really think it would be worth it to help me keep up with the book as you just bluetooth the pic straight from your phone.
Both lovely ideas Georgina, I’ve thought about the Instax thing before – it would certainly make you create something tangible more often. December is just around the corner! bet you are very excited x
Awwww lovely, what absolutely beautiful words! Had my cold heart melting! haha
LOVE the book idea. I love a good scrapbook and have started many, many different ones! Sadly I still haven’t managed to finish any of them! BUT I have vowed to finally finish my 1 year as Mr & Mrs scrapbook finished before this year is over (it was meant to be my anniversary prezzie to the boy! Eeeek!)
I do love seeing the ideas A Beautiful Mess have for scrapbooks, they are always so cool, and pretty, and awesome!
Also LOVE Karen’s idea that it can grow into something Mabel can add to!
Anyway, I think you definitely need to make sure this letter to Mabel is in there so she can look back on it when she’s older! Am sure she’ll be pretty chuffed with it 🙂
xxx
What a lovely anniversary idea Rebecca – I should have done something like that. I’ll take a look at A Beautiful Mess, I have heard of it, I just don’t get time to look at that many blogs these days (!)
Also what cold heart? fibber 🙂 x
How beautiful Charlotte.
Amazon do a brilliant ‘Mom’s one line a day’ memory book which is really lovely and lasts for 5 years, I actually got one for my mum – even though I’m 34! Costs around £10 and looks beautiful. It’s a lovely way to look back across 5 years of a certain date and see how things have changed. It’s also manageable – just a sentence a day! Xx
Thanks Mrs R, that sounds fab – will take a look. Maybe I should get one for my Mum?! x
Absolutely love this post, and just like other readers, it made me well up too. It resonates so perfectly with how I feel about my 3 month little girl, Jemima. Only today I looked at her beaming at me mid nappy change and asked myself for thousandth time – “how did I ever make someone as amazing as you”. Being a mum is the hardest but magical thing I have ever done, and like you, I couldn’t be prouder of my little girl. She may also grow up with a slight identity crisis due to her growing list of endearments….chicken, monkey, gorgeous, princess…it goes on.
Re memory book, we also set up the email address, as well as a shared photo library to ensure my husband and I’s million phone photos are stored for the future. And I am going weekly photos, which I intend to make into a photo book at the end of her first year. I’ve just started adding comments to them with new achievements..like grabbing…or this week, learning to fall asleep on her own in her cot! Hallelujah!
Loving all of the mummy posts Charlotte – and Mabel is an absolute cutie! xx
Excuse the typos…blame it on mummy fatigue!
Hi Holly! I also use Monkey – a lot 🙂
Photo library is also a good idea, I do lots of back ups but do worry about losing my phone!
Don’t apologise for typo’s, I have to check my post 58 times and still notice errors, I blame it on lack of sleep… 🙂
Glad you are enjoying the posts x
Beautiful Charlotte.
I read this as my Elsa was sleeping peacefully beside me, just looking at her fills me with an immense pride, even at after 5 months I just can’t see how my husband and I created something so perfect.
Love the terms of endearment, Munchy is one of Elsa’s pet names, together with Chickybum, Pumpy and Smelsa (bet you can guess when that one gets used).
I have a lot of things saved for Elsa’s scrap book, it’s taking a while (we’re still at pregnancy stage) but we will get there, I even have my parents parking ticket from their hospital visit and her umbilical stump (gross I know, but I couldn’t bear to throw it away, it’s part of her).
XxxxxX
Hi Kelly, my husband often says to me “Does everyone think they have the most perfect baby in the world?”
Yes – of course they do! and they are all perfect of course. I also call Mabel stinky – I didn’t list that in my terms of endearment 🙂 x
“You blunt the jagged edges of the daily grind.”
This. Just this. Absolutely sums up how I feel about my nutter of a 2 year old. She completely blunts the jagged edges of the daily grind.
I can arrive home full of stress and worry of work, but when Frankie runs up to me shouting “Mummy” it all disappears. I’ve never really noticed it before, but know that someone else has said it, it’s exactly what she does.
Bravo, Charlotte
x
Bless you Holly, Thanks for your lovely comment x
Hi Charlotte, this is so beautifully written, those are all the things I think about Isabella but would never be able to word so eloquently 🙂
I am so far behind on my albums / memory books, it’s not even funny but I’m adamant I’m going to get on top of it.
A friend of mine bought me this book which you complete for every year until she turns 18 and give it to her on her 18th birthday, unfort it still sits empty on the shelf and she is now 3!! That is on my to-do-list for this year! I think it will be such a lovely gift to give on her birthday!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Story-Daughter-Parent-Child/dp/1907048421
I am also behind on our family annual albums (2011 onwards……!) but again that is on my to do list to document each year she has been with us, I intend to use Blurb and as time goes on will photograph her drawings / school projects to include in the photos.
This is also a great idea but I didn’t write enough down to complete one like this for Isabella, perhaps for Baby Keyes No2!!
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/166985098657612689/
Hope you manage to start your album / memory book soon xx
PS On top of all that I really want to put together a ‘Where am i from’ book with all the members of both our families and a little history of everyone with photos so she can see her whole family….again another thing on the to do list…I only need a few months in hibernation to get all of those things done 😉
It’s the time isn’t it Inga? I’m often torn between “I can spend time with Mabel in the here and now or go and sort out photos” – I always choose the former. I need to make better use of my evening time!
You have some lovely ideas – especially the book for her 18th x
I know, by the time I’ve looked after the munhckin all day the last thing I want to do is put together an album after she’s gone to bed!! Especially as have over 5000 photos so far this year 😐
I don’t know if you’ve heard of this app for iPhone but ‘Day One’ journal is great as you can add a photo a day and an entry, so even if you can’t write a lot you can quickly make a note of say ‘first tooth’ etc. and go back later, you can then export it all in a pdf x
i just made it through reading that. At 5 months pregnant with a nearly 3 year old the hormones make me a blubbering wreck most days. For my little pops I had a “The Belly Book” I’m just about to start baby number twos book. I love reading through this from baby number 1. I also bought a baby record book Baby Notes by KTWO Products
From Amazon. It’s great as you get whole pages with little stickers to write about their firsts, favourites and stories from them growing up. It’s lasted me 3 years! I also put a photo album together (a photo for each month) and birth story at the front. So when they’re both older I can hand it all over to them……though with both being boys I may wait till they’re much much older!! Until you decide on what you want just jot your memories down so you don’t forget.
Hi Sarah! Ooh this sounds great too, at this rate I will have about 15 books! ha ha 🙂 x
absolutely beautiful words <3
I have a diary, purely dedicated to Tilly-isms. I write one thing in there each day, something funny, or something which made her or I happy, or a new mile-stone. It is wonderful to look back on and not too taxing. I keep it by my bedside and fill it in before i go to bed each night. It brings a smile to my face to remember the moment I am capturing and i go to bed in a far more peaceful frame of mind.
Jess this is a lovely idea, especially reading it before bed – I am still very much at “stare at the monitor and wake up every hour” worrying stage (Mabel has been sleeping in her own nursery for the last few weeks) but hopefully that will pass soon and I will actually get some rest 🙂 x
[…] as there are so many uses for these box photo frames. Prompted by Charlotte’s request for memory book ideas for Mabel, I wanted to share an idea to put to use the stash of new baby cards accumulated after a newborn […]