I have forgotten the first night of my child’s life. I can recall (most) of labor like it was yesterday. I remember the second night in the hospital when I desperately tried to soothe her and she cried and I didn’t know what to do so I cried and wondered what I thought I was doing having a baby anyway. Every 30 minutes for four hours, I walked her around the room, I pulled her into bed with me, I tried to feed her, I changed her, I cuddled her and as soon as she fell asleep and I laid her down she would howl. Lather, rinse, repeat.
But that first night? After my parents and in laws left, after Craig left. I don’t remember that night. Did I let the nurses take C so I could sleep? Did I keep her with me? I really don’t know. Craig thinks I kept her with me. My mom thinks she went to the nursery. Did I send her to the nursery but feel guilty and tell Craig that she stayed with me? No. I’m pretty sure one of them is wrong. I don’t remember getting up in the middle of the night with her, but I don’t remember calling the nurse to ask them to bring me my baby.
You can say that it’s OK. That Iwas recovering from labor and the effects of the drugs were still wearing off and I could probably be convinced. But this is my baby and that was the first night of her life and I. Don’t. Remember.
So that’s why this corner of the internet exist. So that I can write down what she does and when she does it. With more than just a two inch space to jot down the date. I can write about the look of satisfaction and surprise when she figured out how to scootch herself across the floor and the kind of shoes she was wearing. So that in another year when I can’t remember when she started trying to crawl, I can look at this blog, read the post and remind myself.
This is why I blog.
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I’m surprised by how many things I’ve forgotten about my children’s lives. I feel horrible about it–I mean, they’re my kids and I’m their mother, for goodness’ sake. I think that there has just been so much that goes on it’s too much to remember mentally.
I think it’s great that you’re journaling about your life and experiences as a mother. I agree…it’s a great way to remember. After fourteen years, I am so sad over what I can’t remember, and that I didn’t always write things down, or take pictures, or keep some other record of things.
I don’t think you could ask for a better baby book than this! What a great way to chronicle life as a mommy. And I bet C will LOVE to read it as she gets older!
But do you know what I like most about your blog? You aren’t a pretentious, holier-than-thou biotch. Some blogs I’ve come across (mom’s and non-mom’s) are so snobby and I can’t help but wonder how they are so big in the blogging world. And I like that you aren’t that way. You keep it real.
Caroline? Carolyn? Chunky monkey? Cutie?
It’s probably something not very common, isn’t it? I’m so relentless
Or it’s probably written somewhere deep in the archives and not such a big secret. HA. that’d be hilarious.
I blog for the same reason. I never want to forget the special moments with my son. I used to have a great memory. Nowadays, I’m lucky if I remember what I did yesterday.
Me too
Same here. And as little content as there is currently, I have referred to it a few times for accurate dates of some “first” since I forgot to write them down in her baby book.
I also remember labor, like it was yesterday, but managed to forget the newborn cry, and how much it pierced our eardrums in the wee hours of the morning. If only I could have written it down. I love reading your blog, so keep it up.
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