Une photo, une histoire #2

After such a lovely reception I received with Une photo, une histoire #1, I decided that I will aim to publish in this series on a weekly basis. So here we go today with the second post.

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One more time, Baba est à l’honneur! I took this picture at the maternity the day after his birth. He was not even 24 hours old. I recollect it very well. I spent my first night as a mummy with him, half asleep. Not that I wasn’t tired. Au contraire! But I was too excited to have ce petit être right next to me.

I loved the first night at the hospital, as it was just the two of us in a quiet ward. The day had been full of emotions. I was surrounded by many people: Grumpy Boyfriend, my mum, all the midwives and doctors. It was non-stop after the birth.

So it was so nice just to be back on my own, in my little private space. I could eventually look at him. I was still half-astonished that I made it to be honest! It was also weird because I realised then that my life was changed forever. Of course, I had thought about it all while I was pregnant. But it was different back then. He was here. This little thing I had wanted so badly over the last two years. And he was real.

Obviously, I didn’t know much. I remember being settled in my bed and the midwife asked me if I had changed the baby. I laughed ‘He barely had any milk so far. So I wouldn’t be worried. And he didn’t cry, so I think he is fine’. ‘Don’t be so sure. Boys don’t mind too much a dirty nappy’, she replied.  And then she opened la couche to check it out. A big moutarde was there! How naïve I was! The midwife was right. I couldn’t believe that I already needed to take care of the dirty work.

Looking at this picture, I can’t stop myself from smiling. I recall how worried I was because Baba wouldn’t drink that much. He actually spent most of his first day sleeping. The midwives were fast to reassure me that it was normal. There was nothing to be alarmed of. Turning 5 months old next week, the big boy is now weighing 17.4 pounds. Yep, you’re right, a bit more than 8 kilos.

I sent this picture to my boss and I remember being so pleased when he got back to me saying that my baby was beautiful. Later on, an official email was sent around the school to announce the birth of sa majesté. Part of me was surprised that it happened. But I must admit that I also felt very proud. Yes, he was très beau…And still, is!

More importantly, this photo is very symbolic and means so much to me now that I look back at it. It represents the start of a new journey: moi as a mother. Me being in charge of someone else, making sure that he is happy, healthy, safe and so much more… I can’t truly remember if I was scared that day because all of it was so new to me. I probably was! But now, I am truly enjoying it. It’s just the best thing in the world. Yeah, I know it’s a cliché, particularly if you don’t have any children. But it’s just the truth. I am sure any mummy who reads those words would smile and agree with me.

What about you? How was your first day/ night at the maternity? How did it feel? What were you thinking about at that stage?

 

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55 Comments

  1. June 20, 2016 / 5:41 am

    Oh what a lovely lovely post. I love reading things like this as the birth of my twins was very different (read all about it on my blog!) … you have brightened my day. Thank you x #fartglitter

  2. Mama
    June 20, 2016 / 6:18 am

    My first night is a blur. I’d been in the hospital being induced for 3 days and then suffered heavy bleeding so had to go to surgery. I was woken up at 4am and told by nurses my partner had to leave despite the fact the hospital was 40 minutes from home and she didn’t have a car. So sadly no good memories. Yours are very sweet though.
    #fartglitter

  3. mackenzieglanville
    June 20, 2016 / 6:39 am

    this is gorgeous, I treasured those first moments and night with my babies. My son was premie so he spent time in the care unit but once I held him I felt so much love that it actually made me feel so calm and sleepy, I still feel so at peace when I hold him and he is 6 now! #fartglitter

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 20, 2016 / 8:22 am

      I am not surprised. I love holding my baby too. It will be hard to let it go

  4. Kaye
    June 20, 2016 / 11:35 am

    Aw, such a beautiful picture of a beautiful boy. I remember all those feelings so so well. It really is the beginning of the most magical journey! Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Kaye xo

  5. June 20, 2016 / 2:02 pm

    Aww, lovely. I don’t remember too much from my very first night in maternity… Except that a) we heard a baby screaming ALL NIGHT from a nother room and my husband and I were grateful our baby was more peaceful and B) sometime in the middle of the night my baby started crying a bit and I had had a csection so couldn’t pick him up, and instead started singing. I realized immediately that I knew almost no pleasant nursery rhymes. And then my sleepy husband asked me to stop singing and I told him he could shove it. 🙂

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 20, 2016 / 2:28 pm

      You were trying something. Well done for saying to shove it. x

  6. organisedjo
    June 20, 2016 / 7:47 pm

    What a lovely post. My first night with my eldest was a lovely bonding time for us, as she arrived late morning so I already had most of the day settling into the idea that I was a mother. With my second, I slept a lot! Very long labour and didn’t make it down to the ward until 3 am! #MarvMonday

  7. Kaye
    June 21, 2016 / 5:23 am

    Visiting this beautiful post from #dreamteam as well! xo

  8. June 21, 2016 / 5:24 am

    Aw this photo brings back so many happy memories for me too, I was so excited and overwhelmed by what we had created I couldn’t take my eyes of my new baby. #TwinklyTuesday

  9. turningupindevon
    June 21, 2016 / 1:52 pm

    Your blog will be such a brilliant way of looking back and remembering all these moments. I remember very clearly my nights in hospital with my new babies, I know I didn’t even want to go to the toilet because it meant leaving them! I also remember it being so noisy and hardly getting any sleep! Just setting me up for the future then! #fartglitter

  10. June 23, 2016 / 8:34 am

    Lovely photo and recollection of your memories. So precious. I bet you look back now at that photo and think how far you’ve come already in such a short space of time as I also do 🙂 #stayclassymama

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 23, 2016 / 8:40 am

      Absolutely! Thanks for commenting x

  11. June 23, 2016 / 8:36 am

    Aw this is lovely! I loved the first night in hospital too – there was something wonderful (and a little terrifying) when it was just the two of us and the lights went down in the eve. Somehow she slept through an entire night of babies screaming….me not so much haha! #stayclassymama

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 23, 2016 / 8:41 am

      Poor little things, it’s exhausting being born in the world. Thanks for stopping by x

  12. alisonlonghurst
    June 23, 2016 / 12:50 pm

    Lovely. It sounds so positive. My first was an undiagnosed breech who I delivered naturally. Unfortunately her bum was podded and poked with the needle to break my waters, before they realised it was her bum. So her first few days in hospital were spent nappyless and rather unsettled. I just wanted to go home, but they wouldn’t let us! It sounds as if you had a better experience 🙂 Alison x #StayClassyMama

  13. Squirmy Popple
    June 23, 2016 / 6:51 pm

    What a sweet picture! I mostly just remember being utterly, completely knackered that first night/day on the maternity ward. Little did I know I would be knackered for the better part of the next 12 months.

    And wow – 17.4lbs! The Popple is only around 16lbs and she’s 12 months old. #StayClassyMama

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 23, 2016 / 7:18 pm

      yep, 8.06kg exactly.I didn’t lie when I said that Baba was a milk monster ?. thanks for commenting again x

  14. June 24, 2016 / 12:23 pm

    It’s lovely to hear that your 1st night together was a positive experience, even if you were feeling very tired. Mine wasn’t quite as lovely (it’s a long story, you can read it over on MeetOtherMums if you like). Beautiful photo. #DreamTeam

  15. June 25, 2016 / 8:32 am

    Lovely post. My baby is not yet five weeks old so this is still a fairly recent memory for me. I remember lying in the hospital bed, holding her, and couldn’t believe that this little person had actually come out of me! #marvmondays

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 25, 2016 / 9:03 am

      Such a lovely memory right? I know I couldn’t believe either that Baba was inside me, especially now as he is getting so big, 18 pounds at 5 months. thank you so much for following by the way x

  16. June 25, 2016 / 9:59 pm

    How lovely! Such a beautiful post! All the emotions came flooding back to me, it is a strange and magical time during those early days. You’ve painted a wonderful picture and it resonates so clearly. Congratulations xx #StayClassyMama

  17. Darren Coleshill (@Photalife)
    June 26, 2016 / 10:33 am

    Beautiful photo, and a lovely post.

    Thank you for linking up

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 26, 2016 / 10:33 am

      Thanks for hosting

  18. June 26, 2016 / 2:49 pm

    You were very lucky having time alone just the two if you. I spent the whole time in hospital with second baby surrounded by others who had just had their babies. #happydayslinky

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 26, 2016 / 2:57 pm

      There were other mummies and babies but it was night time so it was relatively quiet. I didn’t have the privilege to be on my own in a room ?

  19. June 26, 2016 / 4:27 pm

    It’s always so amazing to look back at those early days photos..they grow so quickly. Can’t wait to see more of your pics #stayclassy

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 26, 2016 / 4:29 pm

      Merci, you’re a sweetie, as usual xx

  20. Paula @ MummyVsWork
    June 26, 2016 / 7:19 pm

    First nights are always a blur, trying to take it all in and sleep but too much going on too sleep! It just goes so fast though!

  21. June 27, 2016 / 3:35 pm

    Yea I know what you mean! I am enjoying being a mother now, the first month was a bit of a whirlwind. Luckily I didn’t change a nappy for the first two weeks haha! But I do understand the feeling of worrying about every little thing, now I am quite laid back lol. Thanks for this lovely post and sharing with #StayClassyMama!

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 27, 2016 / 3:39 pm

      Thanks for having me again ?

  22. June 28, 2016 / 5:13 am

    This made me remember our first few days! Thanks for sharing this and it gave me a chance to reminisce of my memories too. #mysundayphoto

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 28, 2016 / 5:26 am

      thanks for stopping by ?

  23. Molly
    June 28, 2016 / 9:50 pm

    Oh I remember this feeling “I was still half-astonished that I made it to be honest!” He is 16 now and towers over me

    Mollyxxx

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      June 28, 2016 / 10:14 pm

      ? I love this comment! Thank you for stopping by xx

  24. June 29, 2016 / 8:19 pm

    Such a lovely photo of your little one! You forget how teensy they were! #bestandworst

  25. June 30, 2016 / 10:07 pm

    I remember looking at my daughter and thinking how weird it was that I was now actually a mother. Time goes so fast as she is now 10!

  26. July 1, 2016 / 8:11 pm

    Gosh this will be me again in a month or so. Love those first photos people take, so exciting welcoming a new life. Thanks for sharing in #HappyDaysLinky x

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 1, 2016 / 9:20 pm

      So looking forward to knowing everything about your new baby ♥ Thanks for commenting x

  27. July 1, 2016 / 8:27 pm

    Oooh you’ve given me goosebumps as I had forgotten how it feels during the first few days and you’ve brought it all back to me with this post. Thanks for linking up to #HappyDaysLinky x

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 1, 2016 / 9:21 pm

      ? thanks for commenting

  28. July 3, 2016 / 7:13 am

    What a lovely idea and a lovely post 🙂 My first night was very overwhelming. I’d had a section and was still unable to leave the bed so had to ring for the nurse every time T needed a nappy change or was sick (which was a lot as he kept bringing up mucus after his scary birth). Thanks for sharing x

      • thefrenchiemummy
        Author
        July 3, 2016 / 8:22 am

        I always forget as well when I am going on about, not that you did that ?

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 3, 2016 / 8:21 am

      Even if it wasn’t easy, this experience will stay with you forever. Thanks for reading x

  29. July 3, 2016 / 1:51 pm

    Ahh bless him. I was scared!! My little girl slept tonnes too and hardly fed. I wasn’t really left alone though as hubby always with me. I’m dying to have squishes with the second one I have on the way. Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 3, 2016 / 1:53 pm

      Good luck with it all. Looking forward reading about it xx

  30. August 3, 2016 / 6:49 am

    What a lovely post, I love linkys for finding new blogs – yours in a gem 🙂 #bloggersclubuk

  31. August 3, 2016 / 10:50 am

    Gorgeous photo! Lovely to hear you had such a good first night – and your right it is the start of a LOOOOOOOOONG, expensive but amazing journey!! My first night with our first wasn’t great, I’d had a emergency section under a GA and spent the night really out of it and strapped down to a bed by all sorts of wires BUT Alys kept me company and it was the beginning of me & her taking on the world (we have a little help from her two sisters these days!!).

  32. mummyfever
    August 9, 2016 / 11:18 am

    How lovely – gorgeous photo. My four were all very different but every time I struggled to cope with the noise and constant disruptions in the hospital. With my first we were in a week afterwards and it was torture – thanks for linking to #sharewithme

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