You’ll Miss THOSE Days

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Feeding your baby should be fun, right? I mean, who doesn’t look forward to putting a curious baby in a highchair and spooning him or her foods like sweet potatoes, avocados, oatmeal cereal, and bananas. Before Jack was born I couldn’t wait for the food stage. I had high hopes of making all his food and was so looking forward to watching him experience his first tastes. Now that the time has arrived though, I’ve actually found the process of beginning him on solids a little bittersweet.

You'll Miss THOSE Days

One thing (…of the many things!) I’ve learned since having my son is how different I now perceive time than I did pre-baby. While pregnant and during the newborn stage I counted the days and weeks as they passed. Then, when I lost count of the days and weeks, I started counting the months. Now it seems as if I measure time and  growth on the milestones my son reaches. The first time he slept in his crib, the first time he smiled and giggled, the first time he rolled over, and so on and so forth.

One Day You'll Miss THOSE Days

This easy way for tracking time though can also be hard on a mama’s heart. Each time my son achieves those milestones I am of course excited for him, but also feel a little sad that he’s growing so fast. During those first weeks, advice comes from all sides. Usually said advice is counterproductive as many say to soak it all in, while others say to just survive these times. There is light at the end of the tunnel we’re told. We will sleep again someday (some sooner than others!) we’re promised. One day you’ll miss these days we’re assured…

I think part of what makes the newborn stage so difficult is that you’re an exhausted, round-the-clock feeding machine, who hasn’t showered or eaten a proper meal in days. And staring back at you in return for all of your hard work is a sweet little baby… with a stone cold face. You don’t know if they love you. You don’t know if they’re happy and if you’re fulfilling their needs. Thankfully though, right as you hit that breaking point is when the clouds finally part and your sweet yet solemn little babe delivers the most precious, perfect grin you’ve ever laid eyes on. And that my friends is when you slowly melt into a puddle on the floor…

One Day You'll Miss THOSE Days

I think a lot of moms measure age by milestones, but I encourage all of you to not get so wrapped up in getting where you’re going that you miss the beautiful journey. We are only six months down the road, but already I can feel myself missing those days. If you’re anxiously waiting for your child to eat, crawl, stand, walk, talk, etc. then we may miss all those beautiful moments in between. Mamas slow down – take a few deep breaths and soak in the scent of your baby’s soft head and kiss those round cheeks every chance you get.  We’ll all hit those milestones eventually, but don’t wish away those fleeting moments today.

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Jana Antil
Hi fellow Dayton moms – I am looking forward to joining your club very soon! You see, I am without a doubt the newest parent of the Dayton Moms Blog contributors. Our first baby is due early September and I am so excited to share my experiences of becoming a first-time mom with all of you! Along the way, I know I will learn even more about myself and about what it means to be a mom. I want my posts to resonate with moms-to-be, acting as a source of encouragement and advice through my own first-hand accounts. I also hope to provide a bit of nostalgia to all you expert parents out there by reminding you of your own first time memories of becoming a mom! My husband and I both grew up in the Dayton area and graduated from Northmont High School. In 2007, I moved to Columbus where I studied journalism at the Ohio State University and wrote for the student newspaper, The Lantern. After graduation, we moved back to Dayton and bought a home in Springboro where we still live today with our first born, a precious and playful three year old black lab named Tebow who brings so much joy and laughter into our lives! Currently I work in the Public Relations department of a large high school in southwest Ohio, but I have also spent the past four years writing a lifestyle blog – Happy Wife Healthy Life. Writing is such a passion of mine and I am looking forward to continue sharing my love of words here on DMB! In my free time, I also enjoy baking cookies and whipping up healthy (and not-so-healthy!) dinners, going on walks with my little family, continuing to date my sweet husband, traveling, eating good food, and staying as active as possible. Preparing to become a mom has been the most wonderful, terrifying, exciting, overwhelming, and amazing thing I’ve done so far. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with all of you as we welcome a baby boy into our lives soon!