Someone said to me yesterday that with a baby, the days are long and the years are short. Mmmm, I can already see what they mean.
It’s been just about 4 weeks since the birth of our baby girl, and it seems like 4 months and yet on another level it’s all gone so quickly. Tula Bliss was born on the morning of 22 June – a very beautiful experience for us two three – Tula was born in a pool, at our home on Waiheke, no complications, though of course birthing was intense. So many amazing moments, connecting eye to eye, soul to soul, learning to be parents, sleep deprivation (no matter what people tell you nothing prepares you for so many sleepless nights), changing nappies endlessly, endless feeding sessions, figuring out an approach to bouts of baby crying….
It’s a steep learning curve that’s for sure and every day seems like a long adventure. That’s why the days are long, and we have to be so present, that the weeks are beginning to pass by. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
In the past mothers would say to me that they wish they could come to yoga class but don’t have the time as it’s all taken up being a parent. And I would reply, “Well that’s a yoga practice in itself, looking after a young being.” And now I truly know what it is like. Looking after Tula has opened my heart, opened me to new levels of unconditional kindness and unconditional service.
Yogis and Buddhists often talk about service and kindness as spiritual paths, and I have truly felt the truth of that over the last 4 weeks.
Yes I have been immensely challenged, incredibly tired, and yet still rise from the bed at 3am to change nappies….and I don’t mind…all it takes is the hint of a smile from Tula and I know its the right thing! I know Sacha is doing an amazing job of being a mother…it’s very heart-warming to see her be so tender with our baby.
It’ll be interesting to see how it progresses, whether I can sustain this level of parenting. I’ll keep you all informed on this blog, and if anybody has any parenting tips…please do share them and write a reply!
Blessings and peace,
Neal