Turning Thirty Three

Just over a week ago I celebrated another year on this planet and my first birthday as a mother, which made it vastly different from any other birthday I’ve ever had, but also one of the best.

I like to sleep in on my birthday, but not this year. The wee man had other ideas and decided he needed feeding at 6.30. But that was nice because I got a birthday smile super early (only to be replaced with crying for the rest of the morning). It was strange having responsibility on my birthday (I usually reserve that day for only doing what I want to do) but I wouldn’t have traded it. I also got to enjoy a relaxed and laughter filled evening with my little family and a few close friends.

My 32nd year was another great year but as it goes with my life, was full of ups and downs. I lost some weight, I gained a lot because I was pregnant, and I conquered a lot of demons. I started a course to develop my writing and actually did my homework and enjoyed it. I did several radio interviews regarding mental illness (I’m up to five now) and once again volunteered for the breast cancer Pink Ribbon collection.

I did something I never thought possible, I shared pictures of my body, stretch marks, bulges and all, because I was suddenly proud of my body. People told me how brave I was to do it, but the truth was it was surprisingly easy and I haven’t regretted it for a minute. I also completed the City 2 Surf, the 6km walk while nearly 6 months pregnant on what felt like the hottest day of the year after months of struggling to walk with a bad back.

I sent a piece off to Ariana Huffington who accepted me as a blogger for The Huffington Post, only to be disappointed when I never heard from them again (I was gutted and did send a few follow up emails but there was only so many times my anxiety would let me hound them) and I was diagnosed with Post Partum Depression.

And of course the best part of 32 was fulfilling a life long dream and becoming a mother to the most wonderful baby boy who is growing up so fast already!

I cried a lot, stressed myself over breast pumps and nappies, napped more than I ever have in my life and lost all my dignity on the operating table the day my son was born. I also laughed a lot, reconnected with old friends, felt excited and impatient for the birth of my baby and fell even more deeply in love with Zombie after seeing him with our boy.

I’ve been 33 for eight days now and already it’s shaping up to being another exciting and challenging year of my life that I’m determined to enjoy for all it’s ups and downs.

Smiles and Sunshine
Katie