My First Mother’s Day

I’m conscious that I don’t want The Daydreamer to become utterly focused on baby talk, and I promise it won’t – but how could I let my first Mother’s Day go past without writing something?

I was thoroughly spoiled all morning (breakfast in bed, flowers) but it was later, at Blair Castle, when I felt different, when Mother’s Day resonated with me as being significant rather than just a commercial marketing ploy.

We’d gone with Mr Daydreamer on a job of his to Blair Castle and while he worked I fed NCM on the grass beneath the springtime sun. Later, husband and I took NCM in our arms for a short stroll in the grounds with the dog. As we stood on a wooden bridge, admiring the sparkling stream below us, we gathered close for a selfie – and I knew that moments like these were to be treasured, and felt such happiness in the knowledge that we would have more opportunities to make precious memories together.

Becoming a parent is the most challenging adjustment I’ve had to undertake. I never really considered what life would be like post pregnancy (for fear of ‘jinxing’ it) but even if I had, there’d be nothing that could prepare me for the culture shock. Gone are the days of writing (well, meeting deadlines) into the wee hours of the morning, no longer can I simply hop in the car to nip out and pick up emergency milk (by the time you’ve dressed the baby and strapped him into his car seat, you don’t want the cup of tea anymore), and any quiet time has to be grabbed with both hands as it flies by at the speed of Andy Murray’s serve, rather than scheduled in. And if that quiet time does slow down just enough for you to catch it, the hoovering takes priority over the DIY mani (CND Vinylux ‘Wild Fire’ is my current favourite).

My point is that my world has been turned completely upside down, and that can take a lot of getting used to; the things that used to come so easily are now being learned all over again. I’m finding out things about myself that I didn’t know before (for example, the discovery of incredible strength, the realisation of my weaknesses, the acceptance of being a closet control freak) and that can be a difficult situation to overcome at the best of times, when you can choose whether to address it or ignore it. I’d like to brush some parts of this learning curve under the carpet but, alas, there’s no ignoring a baby.

However, Mother’s Day was a high point of this eight week rollercoaster. Finally, I relaxed a bit: just us two has become we three, and our beloved furry friend. We are a family – I’m a mum – and no matter how hard it might be at times, I know I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

I’m Wearing: top, M&S; jeans, Next (maternity); sunglasses, Dolce & Gabbana; trainers, Superga.

Images: Kris Miller