By Charlie Emilia
This millennial content creator, social media geek, part-time healthy person and now first-time mom is coming back to my original roots as a writer. Formerly a radio show, “Chill Out with Charlie” was a peek into my life and what I had going on. Since leaving the airwaves, my journey has taken an extreme turn. For updates on what’s been happening, sit back and chill out with me as I navigate these new paths in a whole new way.
I’m in bed. The article I’ve been trying to write has been destroyed – thanks to the magic of technology. At least some of that magic allows me to comfortably write this on my phone from underneath my sleeping baby – all this after I’d spent something like 20 minutes sending hysterical voice notes to my colleague.
I’d written this poignant article about deep emotion, but now that I think about it, what I’d written was a little dark and I wasn’t sure that I wanted to share that kind of energy with everyone. So, maybe it’s best that I keep it light.
I love to share my new mom experiences, because sharing is how I’m learning to be better at being a mom. Also, these articles are a commitment I wanted to make to remember what it’s like right now for me.
It would also be great if my daughter ever decided to look back, she could have some reference of how weird her mother was, and maybe find some joy in the fact that I love her so much. Also, it’s Women’s Month – yes, I’m claiming the whole month – and this past Sunday was International Women’s Day.
Usually, that would get me to thinking about what it’s like to be a woman. Instead, this year, I’m thinking about raising someone who will become a woman in her time. Raising a baby is a lot of work – not something to be taken lightly. You’re moulding an entire life and when that life belongs to a girl, there’s something even scarier.
I’m drawing nearer to the end of my maternity leave/vacation and I’m going to miss what the first few months of her life was like. As if to add a little emotional exclamation point, she just turned her head on my chest and made the cutest little smacking sound with her lips. I’m going to miss mornings like this where I wake up to nurse and let her fall asleep on top of me.
I like to pretend it’s because I’m waiting for her to make one of her loud, old-man burps, but let’s be real, I love this time. Her little body starts right in the space just under my chin and extends to the little socks covering her tiny feet touching the middle of my thighs.
I sometimes worry I’m not tall enough to be a bed for her, but she seems to love it just fine. Her tiny head of hair is so soft; it smells of French baby shampoo. The breathing! Oh, the little breaths she takes come with audible sighs – and every time I hear them, my heart melts just a little more.
I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if I’m ready to leave her just yet. I’m ready to head back to work, because I miss it. But I also wish… Oh boy! She just ripped three loud, rolling farts and I’m not sure how to stop laughing. She’s so tiny, how are hers louder than mine?
I’m so impressed! Now her gas has startled her awake. Her little arms flail around and her bright eyes are alert, looking for what caused this disturbance. See? Things went from zero to 60 in the span of two bouts of flatulence. These are the moments I’ll miss – the morning bonding sessions.
Soon I’ll be back at work and raising a toddler, but it will be different as she explores the world around her with newfound mobility. She will learn new things to entice her senses. There will be new foods to try. She will have words to learn and some to learn not to repeat.
Potties and high chairs are the new levels she has to learn to unlock. Raising a little girl will be exciting, as we teach her to assert herself without traumatising her teachers. She will learn to run, jump and keep up with her peers. Before I know it, my little baby will be a grown woman, and I will love her for as long as I live. But for now, I’m going to enjoy those precious moments of her stealing my heart.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, she has performed her daily vomit on my shirt and is now laughing about it. I love this little girl.
Feel free to follow me on Facebook.com/LikeCharlieEmilia or my Instagram Chvrl13. I’m open to questions, comments and any concerns you may have about your own health; but please remember I am not a doctor. My column is strictly for entertainment, and although I may try my utmost to give accurate information, it should in no way replace a visit to your healthcare provider.
Until next time, “Drive Safe!”
