I became a mom in April 2018. Leading up to the birth of my son I did the things that all first-time moms do: spend hours googling how to decorate the nursery, diligently filling out the baby registry, finalizing baby names, and having a baby shower (or 2…. or more!).
I LOVED all of the gifts I received, both new and old. It’s so fun and EXCITING to have all of the gifts come pouring in: the stroller, car seat, diapers, infant clothes, toys, books, feeding supplies, bouncy chair, baby bathtub, baby toiletries, blankets, those tiny little baby hangers. You name it, we got it.
Hand-me-downs are just as good as the brand-new stuff if you ask me!
For all of the gifts that we received, and continue to receive, I am forever grateful.
This was generosity at its finest.
What I NEVER anticipated was the outpouring of love from our families and community once our baby was born.
The gifts that arrived after baby was born was what every mom really wants and needs. These gifts were more a service of love, and boy did I feel loved.
#1 Meals
Family cooked meals and friends cooked meals. Those who we are close with and those who are really just acquaintances to us. There was always food and a fresh meal at our house those first few weeks of our baby’s life.
I’m not talking a frozen pizza here, people. I’m talking homemade Shepherd’s Pie, Lasagna, Sloppy Joes, and all the fixins’: bread, desert, salad, and even wine (and, boy, did that taste good!). You name it, we had it.
I did not have to cook a single meal for the first 3-4 weeks of our baby’s life. I NEVER thought how much this would be a blessing to our family, but let me tell you, it was a game changer. With being a first-time mom, I could not even fathom having to cook dinner. These friends, family, and acquaintances were such a blessing to us., and I try hard to be this kind of a blessing to other new moms.
#2 Company
Nothing says “I love you” like a sweet friend sitting with you in the hospital while your husband goes home to take a shower. Twice. That same sweet friend visited me at the house once our hospital stay was over. She didn’t do anything out of the ordinary but just be there with me for a few minutes so I wasn’t alone.
While company who come to visit the baby can be exhausting, having that friend come to see me was one of life’s greatest blessings to me. Thank you, my dear friend.
#3 Gifts
My love language is definitely not receiving gifts. Actually, I’m really bad about receiving gifts. Was I appreciative enough? Did I respond the right way? Do they know I’m grateful? I honestly struggle with receiving gifts, and there are only a handful of times in my life when I was touched by a gift I received.
This was one of those times.
That friend who sat with me at the house to just check up on me? Well, she also brought a gift. Others brought gifts too, but this one was for me, not the baby. A candle, lip balm, chocolate, a face mask. Things to help me feel good when I didn’t feel so lovely.
I NEVER expected a gift at a time like this. Shoot, I was so used to getting gifts for the baby, and I really did enjoy those. But this gift, well, it was one of those pleasant surprises that arrived at a time when I didn’t think twice about myself or my well-being.
This gift made me feel loved, valued, important, and human. For someone who is not a gift receiver, this gift has left a lasting touch on me, even to this day.
#4 A Live-In Helper
Thank you, sweet Momma, for coming to stay with us for a week once Michael (my husband) had to go back to work. She stocked our freezer, helped with laundry, gave me affirmation that I was doing this mom-thing right, went to baby’s weigh-in at the hospital, did the grocery shopping, and went to the baby’s first doctor’s appointment.
I feel lucky to have a mom that was willing to and had the time to do all of these things. It made the transition of Michael returning back to work much easier.
As I reflect on all of these blessings that have been given to us within the past year, I realize that I have many opportunities to be a blessing to other new mommas.
How can you be a blessing to these new moms when they need it most?
