Just Wait Until: The Beautiful Side of Motherhood

Hi friend,

Do you know what I look forward to every single day? Hearing the sound of my daughter’s laugh. Gosh, it’s the best thing in the whole entire world. I can’t put into words how it makes me feel but it gives me SO much joy. I could be in the worst mood and just the sound of her tinkling little giggle or her big belly laugh will put a smile on my face. You can catch me doing the most absurd things to try to get her to laugh – I will put on a whole theatrical show just to hear it over and over again.

I think people have gotten better about this, but you’re bound to hear the words “just wait until” at some point in your journey through motherhood. I do think that sometimes these comments can be helpful by keeping us from naively navigating our way through motherhood or being unprepared for challenges, but it needs to be presented in a constructive and supportive way. Don’t make me scared that I’m never going to sleep for the rest of my life while I’m already in the trenches in first trimester, please and thank you.

I would rather celebrate the positive moments in motherhood than dwell on the negative. I love the shift I’ve seen lately where we’re putting a positive spin on this comment that we normally dread hearing, and I wanted to share some of my own with you.

The “Just Wait Until” Moments No One Thinks to Mention

The first moment you see your baby. This is something that will stick with you forever & is difficult to put into words. It’s an out of this world experience to meet the little life that you created.

It’s 3am and it seems like it’s just you and your newborn existing in your own little world. These quiet times provide the best opportunity to just sit and soak in your tiny little human.

You see your partner flourish in their new role. The way that they step up to the plate & take everything in stride may be a beautiful surprise.

You do your first solo trip out of the house. No matter how chaotic it may seem, you will feel like the most badass woman out there for having the strength to do hard things all on your own. (& I promise it feels way easier after you have the first one under your belt.)

You see your baby’s first smile. Those sleepy little milk drunk smiles are adorable but the first time your baby intentionally smiles at you? Heart melting.

You see your child discover the world. The never-ending innocent curiosity about the smallest things helps you to slow down and pay attention to something that might typically go unnoticed.

They hold onto you for the first time. There’s just something about that little hand grabbing onto the back of your arm when you pick them up.

You see all of their first milestones. They will amaze you with their strength and determination, and you will be so overwhelmingly proud of them.

You get your first open-mouthed, sloppy kiss. It will be the best surprise the first time & then you’ll be impatiently waiting for more after that.

They realize they can make you laugh. You can see the pure joy on their face and they will continue to do the silliest things over and over just to share in that happiness with you.

You get to put that first little ponytail in your daughter’s hair. That tiny little antennae will be the cutest thing you’ve ever seen.

They dance for the first time. That little head bouncing, booty wiggling signature move will make you want to have a dance party every day.

You go on your first trip as a family. Being in charge of creating someone’s childhood memories and experiences is the biggest and best responsibility that you’ll ever be given.

& there’s so many more. Yes, being a mother is not always the easiest thing in the world, but there is so much to look forward to. I hope that this helps to ease some fears – it’s not all doom and gloom! The good outweighs the hard by a landslide.