60 Things I've Learned in the First 6 Months of Motherhood - Life as Mrs. Wilson

11 April, 2017

60 Things I've Learned in the First 6 Months of Motherhood

First of all, how is my baby a half year old already?! Conrad is happy as ever and crawling all over the place. It has been so fun to watch him learn and grow each day, and I have been reflecting a lot lately on how much I've learned and grown as a mother as well. So, here are 60 things that I've learned in these first 6 months of motherhood:


1. You can do anything for a minute.

2. Lean into it.

3. What matters most will last.

4. Rock paper scissors saves conflicts over who does what in moments of exhaustion.

5. Take time for yourself and don't feel guilty about it. 

6. Accept help when offered.

7. College all-nighters are nothing compared to the first month of motherhood.

8. You'll never regret letting your baby nap on you, no matter how much work you need to get done.

9. There are more important things in life to worry about than stretchmarks.

10. Parenting doesn't have to be a guessing game.

11. Baby smiles will melt your heart no matter how frustrating the day has been.

12. It takes twice as long to get anywhere with a baby. 

13. Watching your child learn something new is one of the most rewarding feelings in the world.

14. You have more resources than you know.

15. Babies are gross, but their cuteness makes up for it. 

16. Babies have complex emotions just as we do.

17. You can look at your phone later - be present.

18. Do what works for you and your baby.

19. Breastfeeding doesn't work out for everyone, and it doesn't make you less of a mom if it doesn't work out for you.

20. You'll still be tired even when your baby starts sleeping through the night.

21. My husband is the most amazing person in the world.

22. Consistent schedules make life much easier.

23. Sometimes 3 back up outfits still won't be enough even when you're only out for a few hours.

24. I will do nearly anything to get my baby to smile or laugh (no matter how humiliating;)

25. Baby fingernails grow at an alarmingly quick rate.

26. Babies have a ridiculously tight grip, especially on hair.

27. Soak up all the snuggles.

28. Your baby looks to you more than you realize.

29. It is very possible to forget to eat breakfast until 2 PM. 

30. The world became a lot scarier once I had my son, but it also became a lot more hopeful at the same time.

31. It is possible to keep your house clean with a baby despite popular belief, but spending time with your baby is more important.

32. Write everything down and take as many pictures as you can.

33. Getting your baby to smile for a picture can sometimes be a difficult task (see #24).

34. Blowouts aren't as common as everyone warned me they'd be. My son has only had one so far (though I may have just jinxed myself by saying that). 

35. I'm a lot stronger than I thought I was.

36. Not everything will work out the way you planned - and that's okay.

37. Mother's intuition is so real.

38. No matter how many books you read beforehand, nothing can prepare you for the emotions that come with being a mom. 

39. It gets easier. And it gets harder.

40. Sizing is weird. My son currently wears 12-18 month shirts and 3-6 month pants.

41. The songs that calm your baby may not be classic lullabies (Beautiful Boy by John Lennon and Silent Night are what work for us over here).

42. Don't forget the diaper bag. Ever.

43. Don't even bother trying to feed your baby solids with them dressed. Strip them down to just their diaper, put a bib on them, and prepare for all your concerns of cleanliness to go out the window. 

44. There will be days that you cry more than your baby does. 

45. There will also be days that you can't even comprehend the joy you're feeling. 

46. Watching my son get vaccinated was probably more painful for my momma heart than it was for his little legs.

47. Snaps are cuter, but zippers are easier.

48. It is possible to feel trapped in your own home at times - go outside as much as possible.

49. Watching your parents become grandparents is one of the sweetest things.

50. Anything with a corner will look much sharper when your baby starts crawling.

51. It truly does take a village. 

52. Things don't have to be perfect to be good enough.

53. Drool doesn't gross me out as much as it used to. 

54. Everyone has their own opinion on how to raise children, and that's okay (see #18).

55. Don't compare your baby to anyone else.

56. Don't compare your postpartum body to anyone else.

57. Asking for help doesn't make you a bad mom.

58. Don't ever take motherhood for granted, but don't beat yourself up in the moments you just don't enjoy being a mom.

59. These are the days you'll look back on and smile - cherish them.

60. Your best is enough. You are enough. You are 100% enough.


These past 6 months have been an absolute joy with my Conrad James. I never imagined how much I would be learning and growing alongside my son, and I love it so much. I can't believe how fast this is all going. Being a mom means constantly feeling excited about your child's growth while being torn that it's going too fast. My biggest hope is that I can always take the time to stop and appreciate motherhood for what it is - because all in all, it truly is the greatest blessing I could have ever hoped for.

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