xo

I'm Lisa Kirk, a wife, mama, writer, and founder. Since 2010, Something Pretty has been home to my favorite memories, reflections, and inspirations. Thanks so much for reading!

Six Months with Charlie

Lifestyle

A few thoughts, memories, and reflections on six months of motherhood…

The first three months of Charlie’s life were drastically different than the next three. “Fourth trimester” is such a real thing!! Those first three months were characterized by sleep deprivation, healing, marvel at Charlie’s tininess, deep gratitude for our family and friends who visited us and cooked us dinners, seemingly constant feedings, and feeling completely at the mercy of Charlie’s schedule (or lack thereof). What comes to mind when I think of months three through six though are Charlie’s big smiles and belly laughs, all of the new skills he has learned (especially rolling over and sitting up), and how much Charlie feels like a real part of our family, not just like a little stranger we take care of. While I loved him from the second we found out about his existence, I’ve fallen SO much more in love with him the more I’ve gotten to know him. I don’t know if I had ever heard a mom say that happens before, so if you’re pregnant/a new mama, just keep this nugget in mind in case you find yourself feeling the same way :)

In a similar vein, had you asked me in October or November if I loved being a mom (a totally separate question than if I loved Charlie), I wouldn’t have been able to say yes honestly. That terrified me. What if I never loved being a mom, and was stuck with this new identity that didn’t quite feel like “me” forever? It has taken some time and a LOT of prayer, and it is still such a process, but now, I can honestly and truly say that I love being a mom.

One of the best parts of motherhood, and one I didn’t expect, was how much it has deepened my friendships. I’m a lifelong introvert, but from pregnancy onward, having a baby has opened the door for honesty, vulnerability, and the sweetest camaraderie. I’m so thankful to share the experience of motherhood with women I barely knew a year ago, but now can’t imagine doing life without. I hope that this only continues throughout my life as Charlie grows up!

Dave and I talk about this often…it’s so thrilling to think that Charlie is totally his own person. His personality is certainly showing more every day, and we love thinking about what he might be like five, ten years from now. What will his favorite foods be? His favorite subject in school? What will he and his friends like to do together? It’s so funny to think that something like baseball could be a HUGE part of our life in a few years, when we barely think about it now.

Y’all have seen pictures of my house–I like things clean and white and classic. I was adamantly against loud, brightly colored baby gear, and actually stood my ground pretty well…until about a month ago. Because here’s what I realized: Charlie isn’t a guest in this home. He’s part of the family. And just like our “Grand Sofa” makes my 6’3″ husband happy every time he sits down on it and our blue and white ginger jars and marble fireplace make me happy every time I see them, Charlie deserves things in our house that make him happy without fail too. Right now, that thing is a rainforest-themed jumperoo that lives smack dab in the middle of our living room and makes him light up and giggle like crazy every time we put him into it. Totally worth it.

Happy half-birthday, sweet baby boy. You are the most precious thing in the world to us!

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  1. Mary says:

    Aw! This makes me so happy. That mimosa and babywearing pic is motherhood right there. :) You are an amazing mom to your little boy and I when I saw y’all in December you were totally rocking it! Charlie is so blessed to have you and Dave as parents. And I can’t believe Charlie is 6 months!!! :D

    • Lisa says:

      Mary! You are the sweetest, and this comment is so encouraging, especially considering that you are major #momgoals :) We’re SO grateful to experience parenthood alongside y’all!!

  2. Robyn says:

    Oh, Lisa! These types of posts are my favorite. Love reading your honest thoughts and reflections on motherhood and Charlie is so lucky to have you as his mama! :) xo

    • Lisa says:

      Thank you so much, Robyn! I am always a little worried that motherhood posts will be boring or irrelevant to people without kids, so your comment is really encouraging to me!

  3. Victoria says:

    Love this so much! So many thoughts.. First of all, Charlie is a handsome little nugget and those cheeks!! I want to just give him a cuddle!! Second, I agree that being a mama has been a sweet way of deepening friendships.. grateful to be a new boy mama with you!! If you think 6 months is fun.. there is so much joy ahead over the next few months. Every day is the sweetest with Beau lately!

    • Lisa says:

      Aww, thank you! It is SO sweet to see your pictures and read about your adventures and get a glimpse at what we have to look forward to. Beau seems like so much fun! Still hoping for a Charlie and Beau (and mamas!!) play date someday, somehow :)

  4. Lisa McCubbin says:

    Your joy is infectious! Welcome to the Mommy Club!

  5. Connie Puls says:

    Overjoyed that you love being a mom. Sometimes the days are long but the years are short. I can’t say you will enjoy every moment but through joy, sorrow, pain and love you will cherish your son forever!

    • Lisa says:

      Thank you so much for this encouragement, Mrs. Puls! I’m so glad you got to meet him :)

  6. Charlie is such a doll! It’s so fun to read about how much things change over only six months! I’ve heard a lot of people say the first three months were way harder than they thought, too. I am already experiencing the deeper friendships with other mamas too, and I’m only in my second trimester! That has been such a sweet, unexpected aspect of this whole motherhood thing. :)

    • Lisa says:

      I love that you’re experiencing those deepened friendships too! When I was pregnant, anytime I saw an acquaintance post their own pregnancy announcement, I was pretty much like “I’m pregnant too! Do you want to be my friend?” Haha! Totally unlike me, but it paid off!!

  7. Bethany says:

    Thank you so much for this post! My baby girl is 11 weeks right now, so I’m nearing the end of the “fourth trimester,” and it’s been really tough. I can totally relate to your first paragraph. Glad to hear that things will change soon. :)

    • Lisa says:

      Oh girl, it is about to get so much better, I promise! I’m encouraged to hear that you’re feeling the same way I have…it sure feels lonely sometime. Thinking of you! P.S. I’ve been LOVING the Coffee + Crumbs blog and podcast lately. It’s one of the things that always builds me up as a mama and makes me feel like I’m doing okay, so I highly recommend it!

  8. Abbi Hearne says:

    I love how honest and real you are about motherhood! I don’t have any kiddos yet, but I feel like I can really relate (? idk relate isn’t the right word) to how you talk about things. Also, I love what you said about Charlie being a family member and not a guest! I’ve never thought about it that way. Your writing style and honesty is so refreshing!

    • Lisa says:

      This comment is so encouraging–thank you so much! I get nervous that people who aren’t moms won’t like motherhood posts, so I’m truly so glad you still found this relatable and interesting. Thank you! xo

  9. Kristen says:

    Ugh every single picture is too cute, especially puppy sweater!!!!!! Happy first half birthday lil neph <3

  10. Kate says:

    Thank you for sharing so honestly, Lisa! While I don’t have children yet, I have often wondered whether motherhood would feel like “me.” I’m glad to hear that it is a process for you, too, rather than something that has to be set in stone from day 1!

    • Lisa says:

      Thanks so much for your comment, Kate! It has been such a process for me, but I feel like I’ve been settling into it more and more every day, which I’m so grateful for.

  11. Em says:

    I always love reading your thoughts on motherhood! And yes, everyone deserves a few things that make them unfailingly happy in their home – fun to think about what that is for each of my family members! :)

    P.S. Top right photo = the best. Cutie boy!!

    • Lisa says:

      I’m going to go ahead and assume it’s the food dispenser for Jack and Ollie! :) Loved seeing you guys this weekend!

  12. Dana says:

    Happy 6th months, godson!!! So glad I got to see him because he is already the coolest and sweetest guy around. Those giggles <3 His jumparoo worksouts are worth all the loud, overstimulating sounds! You're doing great!

  13. Allison says:

    Yes, YES, YES. This sounds so eerily similar to my transition to mamahood. Thank you for speaking out about it. We aren’t alone in feeling this way.

    • Lisa says:

      Thanks so much for this comment, Allison–it’s so encouraging to hear that others have felt the same way! Xo

  14. Sadie Lewis says:

    Wanted to leave a belated comment to let you know just how much I relate to your experience transitioning into the new shoes of motherhood. I’ve borrowed your description of always loving Annabelle, not always loving motherhood (but loving it more and more!) several times over the last week or so, and I want to thank you for giving me the words to express those feelings that I find often leave new mothers feeling quite lonely and unlike the “norm.” I’m also right there with you on the colorful toys in our house! Just like you said, I’ve so enjoyed seeing Annabelle enjoy them when I finally started making colorful purchases- definitely worth it. Lastly, Charlie’s puppy and dino sweaters are everything! So cute.

    I’m cheering you on from afar, mama. You’ve got this, and I can tell from all your posts you’re killing the mom game. Xoxo

    • Lisa says:

      Thank you so much for this comment, Sadie! It is seriously the most encouraging thing to hear that other mamas feel or have felt the same way. I think we need to Instagram DM more to cheer each other on :) You’re an amazing mom and I’m always so inspired by your sweet posts about Annabelle. Here’s to colorful toys, happy babies, and figuring this motherhood thing out one day at a time! Xo

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