Transition

Isn't this the most beautiful quote? I've written about this idea before but this quote is just so true of the whole process...

"The most difficult part of birth is the first year afterwards. It is the year of travail - when the soul of a woman must birth the mother inside her. The emotional labour pains of becoming a mother are far greater than the physical pangs of birth; these are the growing surges of your heart as it pushes out selfishness and fear and makes room for sacrifice and love. It is a private and silent birth of the soul, but it is no less holy than the event of childbirth, perhaps it is even more sacred." - Joy Kusek

I felt like I had to allow myself some time after each child to become accustomed to a new life, and a new me. 

Looking at both of these pictures still fills my eyes with tears. Because I remember the feeling of that moment so well. And because the memory is so precious to me.

There is no experience like it.
And I look back at photos of those "transitional" times when I was learning the new me. And I was plumper than I've ever been, and full of milk and soo tired. And I love those pictures, even though I am not the picture of an ideal beauty. I especially love this one because it shows just how tiny my little ones were next to me, the one who made and fed them, the big mama.

 I need to get in the picture with my kids more often.