When I was pregnant, I promised myself that I'd post regular updates after Finley was born and document every milestone, every achievement and every new experience... That was until he actually arrived and I discovered just how tricky it is to juggle being a mum with, well, anything really - let alone blogging! (Seriously, hats off to those all you mums and dads who manage to find the time and energy to write such great posts on top of looking after little ones!)
Life has been pretty full on since Finley was born and, whilst I always knew that would be the case, I don't think anyone or anything can prepare you for just how much things will change with a new addition to the family. If I'm being completely honest, I didn't find it easy (and any mum who tells you that they did is either Superwoman or just telling fibs!) I struggled with the sleepless nights in those early newborn days, I struggled with not having any time to myself or get anything done, I struggled with the baby weight I'd gained and, more than anything, I struggled with the complete lack of identity came with my new title of 'mum'.
Welcoming Finley into our little family wasn't the only major life event to occur last year - after calling the South East of England home for 4 years, we decided to move back to the West Country to be closer to friends and family in Bristol. As much as I loved being in close proximity to London, Bristol is so much cheaper, greener, quieter and home to so many people that we know, so moving was a bit of a no-brainer really!
Moving house was easily one of the best decisions we've ever made - since being in our new home, we've had so much fun, visited so many new places, had so many opportunities and made so many new friends (including the most amazing group of mummy and baby friends!)
On top of all that, moving house also paved the way to me starting a new job in September. I'm now working for a students' union doing a job that I love, surrounded by the most positive, passionate people I've ever met and I couldn't be happier!
2014 was a busy year which gave me a whole load of new challenges and completely turned my life upside down. Yes it was a struggle, but that's not to say that I haven't enjoyed becoming a mum. The good times have outweighed the bad and watching Finley grow from a teeny tiny 5lb 15oz baby into the funniest, happiest, cheekiest little boy over the last 12 months is easily the most rewarding thing I've ever done. Put simply, he makes me proud to be a mum!
I guess what I'm trying to say with this post is that it's ok to not be ok. For some women being a mum comes naturally, but for others it takes a while to get used to the new role, and that's fine too. I'll admit that was one of the latter types and found myself stressing over little niggles that really didn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I wanted to be super-capable and do everything at once, all by myself which was just totally impossible.
Although I've missed blogging and feel a bit guilty for not keeping things up to date, it has been nice to just focus on Finley and put the pieces of my new life into place. Although it seemed like I was failing at the time, in hindsight I feel I got the balance right by putting my own wellbeing first. So with that in mind, I'm making it my New Year's Resolution to be kinder to myself this year: Kinder to my body, by drinking more water and eating healthily.
Kinder to my skin, by remembering to moisturise and take my make-up off at the end of every day. And above all, kinder to my mind by not sweating the small stuff. Texts, emails, laundry and tidying can wait!
As for my blog? Well I'm going to try to be kinder to that too by posting more often and keeping it up to date, so if any fellow parent bloggers have any tips then feel free to send them my way!
