I don’t know about you but becoming a BrandNewMom has changed my perspective on celebrating certain ‘holidays’. My birthday, pagan holidays etc. just don’t seem to carry the same excitement as they used to. It’s not that these days all of a sudden lack importance but emphasis on their celebration has changed. Perhaps, it’s because with age comes repetition and a little less surprise factor. But I think it’s more that since becoming a parent, my excitement comes from my son and his excitement/experience of the holidays rather than my own. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely still nice to be on the receiving end of thoughtful gifts and gestures but my heartstrings are tugged when I see my LO’s face light up, his little grin and hear that squeal!
Despite this, my husband on the other hand continues to celebrate our love no matter what dynamic our little family is going through.
Since returning to work from maternity leave, my husband and I have been learning to juggle work life, childcare, family time, maintaining a household, two greyhounds and somehow fit nurturing our marriage in there somewhere.
After we both get through a couple long stretches of work, I didn’t expect to really “celebrate”, Valentine’s Day at all. Prior to baby, we’d normally do a little dinner together but our work schedules this year didn’t permit it. Today was a 12 hour workday. I headed to my mom’s to have some dinner and pick up the bubbs. Lately, he’s been exceptionally needy, particularly picky, and teething terribly. We finally made it home in the -40 degree wind chill and by the time he was in bed, I had completely forgotten it was Valentine’s Day altogether.
My husband’s “workday” began at 430am, (when coincidently I left for work). That’s when baby decided he was going to wake up. Thankfully hubbs was able to get bubbs back to bed for a little while before really starting the day. 645am quickly rolled around and baby was babbling away to start the day. Breakfast, bum/clothing change, playtime and babywear to nap time made up most of his morning. Instead of resting, he cleaned the house and true to his love language, somehow made time to put together a Valentine’s Day surprise.
It was about 930pm, when he came home from work and I barely even acknowledged his entry. My eyes were so heavy and I was just ready to get ready for bed. Up I went to wash up for bed and when I looked at my bedside table there was a large, handmade/ handwritten, Valentine’s Day card from my love! I came downstairs with welled-up eyes to find flowers, chocolates and cupcakes too!
Despite all the ups and downs, challenges and quarrels, new dynamics in our family, my husband’s heart has never faltered. He continues to honour our wedding vows on a daily basis to work as hard, push as strong and love as much as he can.
This Valentine’s Day I am so thankful and blessed to have the most amazing and loving husband and father to my LO that any woman could pray for.
Now that you are a parent, comment below on how or how not the meaning of holidays/ celebrations changed?
Crystal
February 16, 2015 at 5:14 pm (2 months ago)My hubby took kids to a movie and brought me a drink from Sonic. Loved it! This is after 16 years and 7 kids. It doesn’t take much to impress me!
Crystal recently posted…The Wrong Way to Judge
Brandnewmomblog
February 18, 2015 at 2:09 pm (2 months ago)It’s definitely the thought that counts, Crystal! Congratulations on 16 yrs and 7 kids!!! You are an amazing mom based on those 2 factors alone! xooxo
Courtney
February 17, 2015 at 3:10 am (2 months ago)My views of holidays have always been a little different. I have always loved to give and give. So I am always thinking of holidays and things I can do for everyone else. This Valentine’s day turned into an adventure of visiting a new town.
Courtney recently posted…A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life! : Three Point One Four Creations: Geekish Love!
Brandnewmomblog
February 18, 2015 at 2:06 pm (2 months ago)Awe you speak the Gifts-Love Language Courtney! I love it! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! I am a big fan of yours!!
Brandyn
February 17, 2015 at 4:03 am (2 months ago)That is so sweet! I agree with you, holidays change when little ones enter the picture. I definitely enjoy them more now than I did before my Princess came along, simply because I get to see all the magic through her eyes!
Thank you so much for sharing with us at #MommyMeetupMondays!
Brandyn recently posted…Mommy Meetup Mondays Week #11
Brandnewmomblog
February 18, 2015 at 2:05 pm (2 months ago)Thanks for reading and commenting Brandyn!! See you next week!
Sharisse
February 17, 2015 at 5:22 am (2 months ago)Whoa, I wrote something very similar this week! New mama minds think alike
So glad you enjoyed your first Valentine’s Day with your little one!
Brandnewmomblog
February 18, 2015 at 2:05 pm (2 months ago)Holy! Great moms think alike!!!! lol Nice to meet you Sharisse!!! Great blog you have there! Thank you for commenting and stopping by!
linny
February 18, 2015 at 3:10 am (2 months ago)We’ve been together a long, long time and we always gave each other something to celebrate the holidays, we give and love receiving cards, and as the children came along it became all about them and the excitement of the day and what they could make mommy and daddy.
Brandnewmomblog
February 18, 2015 at 2:03 pm (2 months ago)It’s very special seeing their eyes light up isn’t it? Thank you for stopping by and commenting Linny!
Pam@over50feeling40
February 19, 2015 at 5:03 pm (2 months ago)Juggling family life is a challenge…but know, it will all work out! Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog Hop!
Pam@over50feeling40 recently posted…A Transformed, I MATTER Woman….and the Thursday Blog Hop!
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
February 20, 2015 at 3:42 am (2 months ago)These celebrations do kind of shift as we journey into parenthood.
What a lovely, thoughtful occasion it ended up being though!
Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…Melissa & Doug, Flip to Win, Memory Game Hack
Sharon
February 24, 2015 at 8:58 pm (2 months ago)Things are so much different as a parents then when it is just your married selves. Those little things matter. I know that I can get so overwhelmed with kids and family life that just the littlest, hug and “thank you for being you” make all the difference. Pinning and sharing. Thanks for sharing at Totally Terrific Tuesday! I can’t wait to see what you have to share this week.
Sharon
herorganizedchaos.com
Sharon recently posted…Totally Terrific Tuesday Link Party – 2/23
Brandnewmomblog
February 25, 2015 at 2:53 am (2 months ago)Isn’t it true?! I am trying to be better versed in my husbands’ love language. Thank you for stopping by and for sharing! I appreciate the blog love! See you next Tuesday, Sharon!
Sherry
February 28, 2015 at 12:29 am (2 months ago)Brand new little ones can certainly change the holidays and our routines. Thanks for linking up to Funtastic Friday. Hope to see you again this week.
Sherry recently posted…Funtastic Friday #13