What a lovely note......so thoughtful, poetic and deep while you must be in a whirlwind. I remember thinking how "easy" having my second child was when I already had a four year old. I knew what to do. I had organized my work life. I had a little helper. It was a very different experience from the first time around. But, wow, the pain was really the same.......the way you've articulated that is just astounding. Welcome to the world, Joelle! You're going to love it here!
100%. I was literally working in labor w/ my second daughter whereas w/ the first I was paralyzed w/ apprehension and awe. Back at home it was a breeze w/ #2 in terms of understanding not everything had to be perfect. You look so at ease w/ little J and the big girls seem dazzled which is so fun. Either way you continue w/ aplomb and style, inspiring us all even this 75yo grandmother. Adore you!
What an amazing description of a visitation (But are they perhaps always there..?). Thank you for this. I feel like I might be able to apply it to the experience of my job ... ❤️
Congratulations Leandra! All the best to You and Joelle. And a deepest thank you for writing this, it's been a long time since I have read something so beautiful and touching.
A lovely read. The pain disappears the moment the child was placed on my breast. My recovery room nurse was astonished to hear me tell my mother that I could not wait to do this again. She claimed that in her 11 years as
a L&D nurse she never heard a first time mother say those words. What I wanted to recapture was the overwhelming joy and love that tiny baby on my chest evoked in me in those first moments. My second son gave me what I had hoped for, fleeting as it was. Now I get it from my granddaughters. I have found that you don’t have to give birth for an all encompassing feeling of joy and love.
I relate to this! More so the first time. I remember feeling like if I didn’t get pregnant right away the high from the bubble of pure innocent and unadulterated love would wear off and I’d get too far from it to remember/not want to do it again. And I did go through a phase from the time they were like 2.5 to 4 where I thought I was done but when they transitioned from toddlers to KIDS at 4 it’s like I got hit with a truck full of nostalgia and was like: must recover new baby oxytocin levels
Congrats on the birth of your beautiful new daughter..
Any pain makes us stronger ..I went through much pain with the birth of each of my beautiful children .. but later when I had a journey with cancer and chemo ..
I felt at least at the end of birth..you held a new life ..with cancer ..I was just trying to hold onto life to be a mother ..best wishes
Your reflection and notes on chronic pain vs labor pain, resonate so deeply with me. You are so right, I wish I read this when I was going through my chronic pain that lasted years. Thank you
Congratulations on the arrival of Joelle! Beautiful letter. Thank you for sharing your journey. I am awaiting the arrival of my first grandchild--a girl--the first child of my first born. Welcome to the world, Joelle.
So happy for you and your family! Congratulations🌼🌼🌼
Congratulations to your family! What beautiful prose welcoming this sweet angel to earth!
Congratulations and best wishes to you and your family.
What a lovely note......so thoughtful, poetic and deep while you must be in a whirlwind. I remember thinking how "easy" having my second child was when I already had a four year old. I knew what to do. I had organized my work life. I had a little helper. It was a very different experience from the first time around. But, wow, the pain was really the same.......the way you've articulated that is just astounding. Welcome to the world, Joelle! You're going to love it here!
And there is so much more confidence. I think that’s the big one - it’s just parenting out of the gates with more authority and calm
100%. I was literally working in labor w/ my second daughter whereas w/ the first I was paralyzed w/ apprehension and awe. Back at home it was a breeze w/ #2 in terms of understanding not everything had to be perfect. You look so at ease w/ little J and the big girls seem dazzled which is so fun. Either way you continue w/ aplomb and style, inspiring us all even this 75yo grandmother. Adore you!
PS. The video w/ the big girls is hilarious. Love a uniform too!
“there can be peace within the most honest and vulnerable moments of fury” love this, so true! Congratulations Leandra 💝
What an amazing description of a visitation (But are they perhaps always there..?). Thank you for this. I feel like I might be able to apply it to the experience of my job ... ❤️
Congratulations Leandra! All the best to You and Joelle. And a deepest thank you for writing this, it's been a long time since I have read something so beautiful and touching.
A lovely read. The pain disappears the moment the child was placed on my breast. My recovery room nurse was astonished to hear me tell my mother that I could not wait to do this again. She claimed that in her 11 years as
a L&D nurse she never heard a first time mother say those words. What I wanted to recapture was the overwhelming joy and love that tiny baby on my chest evoked in me in those first moments. My second son gave me what I had hoped for, fleeting as it was. Now I get it from my granddaughters. I have found that you don’t have to give birth for an all encompassing feeling of joy and love.
I relate to this! More so the first time. I remember feeling like if I didn’t get pregnant right away the high from the bubble of pure innocent and unadulterated love would wear off and I’d get too far from it to remember/not want to do it again. And I did go through a phase from the time they were like 2.5 to 4 where I thought I was done but when they transitioned from toddlers to KIDS at 4 it’s like I got hit with a truck full of nostalgia and was like: must recover new baby oxytocin levels
So beautiful Leandra. You have a deep and beautiful soul. Thank you for sharing it with us and welcome baby Joelle!
Congrats on the birth of your beautiful new daughter..
Any pain makes us stronger ..I went through much pain with the birth of each of my beautiful children .. but later when I had a journey with cancer and chemo ..
I felt at least at the end of birth..you held a new life ..with cancer ..I was just trying to hold onto life to be a mother ..best wishes
A combination of physical and emotional pain. That’s the substance of what turns the best among us into warriors huh
You inspire many and are a beautiful writer and mother ..thank you for your words and style
Your reflection and notes on chronic pain vs labor pain, resonate so deeply with me. You are so right, I wish I read this when I was going through my chronic pain that lasted years. Thank you
Congratulations on the arrival of Joelle! Beautiful letter. Thank you for sharing your journey. I am awaiting the arrival of my first grandchild--a girl--the first child of my first born. Welcome to the world, Joelle.
That is so exciting! I feel comfortable
Speaking on my mom’s behalf when I say it is even better than having your own kids!
My aunt once said she would rather birth a baby than have dental work done! (She had 5 kids lol) Congrats on a great experience! ❤️
That is a statement alright.