enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

elise blaha on motherhood.*

So, this lady came into the store today pushing a stroller which held what must have been the newest baby in the world. (if no babies have been born in the last two weeks.)

At the time, I was moving some flower fans around. The lady looked at me and asked "is that a fan?" To which I responded, "yes." I then handed her said fan. "Does it work?" she wanted to know. Again, I responded, "yes."

"I think I will try it. She loves the air blowing on her but it can't be to strong." She said, as she motioned toward the sleeping baby.

At the time I wanted to ask, "How do you know that? How do you know what she likes ALREADY?!?"

(Well actually, what I wanted to ask was "Do you mind if I hug her? And then go sit in that chair and hold her for about 14 or so minutes?")

But instead I said, "Oh, yes, it will be perfect."

As I moved the fans around, I kept thinking about how you have a baby – like you GET IT OUT OF YOU – and then you get to know it. For his or her ENTIRE life you know them. They just sort of squish in right next to you. As a part of you. And you of course become a part of them – you sort of ARE them.

And I have no idea why JUST TODAY because of some FLOWER FANS I made this connection.

But I suppose there are worse connections to make.

*nope, approximately zero babies on the way.

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14 responses to “elise blaha on motherhood.*”

  1. Kal Barteski Avatar
    Kal Barteski

    You can hold Pilot for 14 minutes if you want. If you can contain her.
    I’m not so sure that you KNOW them. You try a zillion things and stick to what works and doesn’t make them freak out. And somewhere in your weary brain you make a note.
    Or something like that. I’m pretty new to this.
    😉

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  2. jen geigley Avatar
    jen geigley

    this is adorable and I wonder if I would have picked that up pre-kids. kudos to you.

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  3. Mandi Avatar
    Mandi

    I had this same sort of epiphany not too long ago. It’s something that you always “know,” but never really get until it just clicks. I’m sure there will be further epiphany when I’ve got one of my own! 😉

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  4. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    Having children is most beautiful experience ever. I wish that everyone in the world would have the opportunity. I don’t know how life ever HAPPENED before my son came along. Great post!! You are so inspiring by the way.

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  5. Mich Avatar
    Mich

    My life would be empty without my kids – now 3 and 5 yrs! The cuddles, butterfly kisses – make my heart melt. Sure there are the moments when you would quite happily give them away – but I would be lost without them.

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  6. Natty Avatar
    Natty

    that is so cute.. makes me want a baby.. RIGHT NOW:P

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  7. lorena b. Avatar
    lorena b.

    Really that is too cute! I laughed outloud when I read this because I’m pretty sure I made that same revelation AFTER I popped my kid out and said to myself “WTH did I just get into?”

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  8. Gillian Avatar
    Gillian

    I loved this story! And I completely understand how you feel because i have odd revelations like that all the time 🙂

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  9. grungedandy Avatar
    grungedandy

    yeah i think the getting it out of you is the scary part!
    i don’t have any kids but my mother was a child minder most of my life so we had them around all the time (& still have some of them but they grew up LoL) and from what i can gather as i’ve held babies as young as 2 hours old it’s very much trial & error not every one is in tune some are some aren’t you learn along with them. they get to teach you as much as you teach them & each new one always teaches you something new almost everyday it’s a blessing!
    seeya hugya G

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  10. melanie Avatar
    melanie

    yes, it is miraculous.
    as they get older it starts to freak them out too. not the getting out part, but the psychic mama thing.

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  11. thursday Avatar
    thursday

    Well, as a new mother (7 weeks tomorrow!), I think I would’ve been astounded that she knew already what her baby liked. I mean, I feel like a bit of a failure still – what does my baby like? I’m not sure I know! I’m not even sure I like being a mother yet. Probably because I can’t think straight for lack of sleep.
    Everyone notices the baby when I’m out. I get lots of “oh, cute! a newborn!” – and lots of little kids saying “mom! look at the baby! hi, baby!” He looks huge to me, but people think he’s brand new (and sure, 7 weeks is pretty new, but he’s already gained a few pounds!).

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  12. Mollie Neff Avatar
    Mollie Neff

    I’m trying to think of a word or phrase that sums this feeling up without sounding like a freakish blog stalker:
    I was in a horrible mood… I decided to blog surf, and I came here first… and I read this blogpost and it was so cute, funny, enlightening, etc… that it just made me in a much better mood. And it’s sort of amazing that something so simple could do that right now. Because I’ve had a horrible morning. But now I feel so light-hearted and good-moodish. Weird.
    So… I’m still not sure how to sum that up. But I think a Thank You is in order. 🙂 Have a fantastic day.

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  13. kerry lynn Avatar
    kerry lynn

    lol
    if only it was that simple
    😉

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  14. sara Avatar
    sara

    Your post made me smile remembering the first time I actually laid eyes on my son. We knew we were having a boy and M had picked out his name but I lovingly referred to him as ‘the pod’ the entire time I was pregnant (sometimes I called him ‘little guy in there’). When he was born and I looked at him for the first time there was this amazing moment of “OH, it was YOU..the whole time it has been you in there! Hi.” and we’ve been inseparable ever since. You are going to be a great mom when the time comes–you revel in joy and that is what children are all about.

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