One Month On…

This post originally appeared in my old blog, www.the-alice.co.uk

…and what have I learned?

I now know how to change a nappy in 30 seconds – something I’d never done before baby Elfie came along. I know that it’s a lot easier to get up after only 4 hours sleep if you didn’t have 8 shots of sambucca the night before. I know that non-maternity jeans are actually fairly uncomfortable and if I had it my way I would wear soft jersey 24/7 (but I like clothes to much to do this). I know it’s bloody hard work to look after a baby, house and husband, and how do mothers of twins do it? (Young Mummy, I’m looking at you. You are my absolute hero). I know there’s always washing, housework, baby entertainment or cooking to be done. I know that being a stay-at-home mum is the hardest job I’ve ever had!

I also know how wonderful it is to see Elfie come on every day, how proud I felt when she woke only once in the night instead ofher usual twice (she hasn’t done this since, unfortunately). It’s amazing to watch her eyes take in the world around her, to be the one who gives her baths when she stops screaming and starts loving splashing around in the water. I can tell she’s
just about to smile for real – we have lots of sleep and fart smiles so I’m sure this is just around the corner.

I’ve learned I miss work a lot more than I ever expected – ridiculously I miss the feeling of making a difference, of being ‘important’ in the work world. I’ve missed all the festivals – Field Day, where I was really looking forward to Phoenix, and Will’s first solo event. I’ll miss London Fashion Week again this year (I missed the last one as I was suffering pregnancy-induced exhaustion) and I’m still getting email invites to lots of fantastic parties that I’m unable to attend.

However, most importantly I’ve learned that right now I wouldn’t change a thing.