Motherhood, in Four Words

When you think about the whole experience of motherhood, what comes to mind? From your baby’s first cry, to your baby’s baby’s first cry, that long stretch of life that passes in the blink of an eye is an experience like no other. Can you even describe it? What if you had to do it in only four words? The highs, the lows, the humor, the deep and boundless affection, the exasperation, the desperate fatigue, the soaring joy, the confusion and worry, the all-consuming love…Motherhood is a trip. A crazy, amazing trip.

You only have four words. Can you describe it?

Birth:

I can do it!

Due dates are lies.

When will it stop?

I want an epidural!

Poop? No big deal.

this is it 3

Push. Push. Push. Push.

Here comes the head!

More ice chips please.

Give me the baby!

The wait is over.

Welcome to the world!

Never doing that again!

Recovery:

What is all that?!

Where’s the epidural now?

More tylenol with codeine.

More ice diapers now!

Stop turning lights on!

Stop pushing my stomach!

Mesh panties, giant pads.

March 2012

Where is my nurse?

Newborn Sleep:

Now there’s an oxymoron!

Is this a joke?

It’s daytime, not nighttime!!

Awake every two hours.

I’m now certifiably insane.

I don’t make memories.

Just 5 more minutes…

Diapers:

Is this on right?

Up a size already?!

That’s a big blowout.

Oh no, it leaked!

I just changed clothes.

Generic all the way!

Point the peepee down!

Another load of laundry…

Middle of the Night:

sickday2

Don’t wake the baby!

Go back to sleep.

Please sleep 4 hours!

This is literal torture.

It’s SO your turn.

My husband is snoring.

Thank Goodness for DVR

What’s new on Netflix?

Breastfeeding:

Why is this hard?

My nipples are sore!

Buy more nipple cream.

Pumping is so lonely.

I didn’t want to.

Whew! It doesn’t hurt!

We’re actually doing it!

My favorite sweet moments.

Best and hardest thing.

I’ll never forget this.

Formula/bottle feeding:

We are out AGAIN?!

Dollar dollar bills, y’all.

bottlefeeding

Constipated? Add corn syrup! (dark)

Honey, get a bottle!

This stuff is stinky.

Feeding solids:

Did she swallow ANY?

Eating as performance art

More on than in

WOW, she is messy!

Crawling:

Time to baby-proof!

Time to break everything!

3 under 3 washing dishes

Can’t stop ’em now

Where did she go?!

Walking:

We need baby gates!

Watch out! Watch out!

Where did you go?

This is pretty amazing.

Not another bonked head!

He needs a helmet.

First birthday:

We kept her alive!

One Sweet Birthday

It’s time for cake!

We over-planned this.

It’s for the parents.

Best/worst year ever.

Stop growing so fast!

First words:

Time to stop swearing!

Man, never quiet again!

What did he say?

Toddlers:

CrabbyToddler03

I said no biting.

Time for a time-out.

Please eat your lunch.

Do not eat that!

No! No! No! No!

Don’t kill the toddler…

Is it bedtime yet?

Stay in your bed.

Stop picking your nose.

Look at him grow!

From baby to kid…

Potty training:

mom win 2

Pee IN the potty!

I’ll give you candy.

Don’t pee on Olaf!

Princess potty didn’t work.

I’m buying diapers again.

This will never happen.

Purse has extra undies.

Just another wet sock…

Preschool:

He’s practically in college!

Where’d my baby go?

You’re my little buddy.

Pick up your toys!

Where’d you learn that?

She’s her own person

Back to school jitters - walking to school

Too independent too soon.

First day of kindergarten:

How did this happen?

I’m not ready yet!

Off walks my heart.

No daycare? Pay raise!

I miss you everyday.

  You’re still my baby.

IMG_1290

Elementary School:

Stop hitting your sister!

Wow, homework still sucks!

Stop picking your nose!

Listen to your teacher.

Look! She made friends!

They like you, honey.

What? Another birthday party?

Middle School:

Privilege, not a right.

Hole in my drywall.

motherhood 4 words 5

Those aren’t your friends.

His feet got huge!

Clean up your room!

Where is your floor?

Be who you are.

Puberty:

She looks like me.

My favorite Target date!

Now we’re sharing clothes?

Is he old enough?

How to explain this…

IMG_9148

Where’d my baby go?

She’s so much fun!

You’re STILL in there?!

Teenagers:

Uh-oh. Drivers’ Ed…

Hide the car keys!

Should I let him?

Not under my roof!

motherhood 4 words 4

We share this bathroom!

They are becoming adults!

She can decide this.

You are wearing THAT?

High School:

You’re bigger than me!

You make me proud!

Way too many sports.

No, you can’t date.

motherhood 4 words 3

Come back by curfew!

You’re still my baby.

Graduation:

Where’d the time go?

Weren’t you just born?

Why did I blink?

I am so proud.

You’re still my baby.

College:

motherhood 4 words 6

Do your own laundry.

Pay your own bills.

Don’t forget about class!

She’s becoming my friend.

She likes me again!

He thinks I’m stupid.

You’re still my baby.

Becoming parents:

motherhood 4 words 2

She needs me again!

He thinks I’m smart!

We are friends again.

I remember holding babies…

Let Grandma hold baby.

I am so proud.

This is the best!

You’re still my baby.

The circle of life.

motherhood 4 words 7

Lianna
Lianna is a homesteading mama of three: a sparkly seven-year-old daughter, a joyful five-year-old boy, and a confident three-year-old boy. After graduating from the University of Iowa’s college of education, she started Wondergarten Early Enrichment Home, a multi-age, play-based early childhood program. A self-proclaimed Queen Dabbler, she has a long list of hobbies (from gardening and canning to sewing and painting), and doesn’t mind being only mediocre at all of them. She lives with her husband, mother, three kiddos, dog, cat, rabbits, dwarf goats, and chickens on an acreage in the country. The Cornally family spends their time talking about education, learning how to grow and preserve their own food, and romping around in their woods.

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