A Thousand Random Things

I sprayed breastmilk in my face by mistake a few seconds ago as I wondered if I had run out of it or Naa was just too sleepy to suckle. I guess the latter was true. And I remembered how far I’ve come with this milk journey and how every mother has a unique story around it. From those that stopped producing and totally ran out of milk a week after resuming work to those that couldn’t produce milk for days after birth (like me). Not forgetting the many that got home with engorged breasts and had to make some plan for extracting at work. Not forgetting the baby formula that our babies preferred or not. It’s amazing how far we’ve all come. Me? I’m amazed… 

A thousand random things… 

I was also thinking of what to write today. There’s time to sit and breastfeed this particular morning so I’m taking advantage of it to type and my mind kept jumping to the different things I could write about. One being how the babies (yes, we have two at home) stopped wailing when I switched the channel to the Teletubbies show. It was hilarious, in that brief moment, I realised how I loved Teletubbies myself, even up to University but not once did I think my own baby would find it pleasantly calming and maybe even quietly hilarious like I have. And yet, here we were, watching Lala count 3 big flowers over and over again amidst her own giggles and all 4 of them giving themselves a “biiig huuug”… lol… the journeys we have… 

A thousand random things… 

Another thing I wanted to write about was a willingness I had recently developed to stop explaining. I feel I’m one of those people who value “why” so much that I give reasons even when it isn’t needed. And yet recently, I find myself stopping at what is essential to say in everyday conversations and correspondence. No “because of”, “this will help to”, “since there is”… it’s like a tap is gradually closing on this one. It started with my clients at Enosua’s heArt and made it’s way to conversations with friends and emails to colleagues. It’s like suddenly my brain became more aware of it and started feeling lazy. Those who know me may not see the difference as much as I do… but I’m amazed… I wonder if it’s going to be a 9-day wonder but whatever it is, I’m pleasantly intrigued… the progress we make… 

A thousand random things… 

Now I realise that those thousand and one things have just left the building. I can’t remember all the many things I wanted to type… typical 😂😂😂 I do know I’m starting to do things that “help” with not being as forgetful. Like setting up calendar invites just to do stuff. Or setting alarms on my phone to do same. Let’s not start about how I got here though, I was forgetful before Naa came along and now I’m not sure if I’m better or worse. What I do know though is, surprisingly, I’m getting so many names right at my new job. Like! Like I’m thoroughly impressed! No lie! Maybe I should buy myself a treat… or better yet, just take a long lovely walk in our neighbourhood to celebrate this “achievement”. It’s interesting how in this moment I’ve suddenly thought of rewarding myself with something that isn’t necessarily pampering or indulgent for celebrating an achievement. It’s funny though, I may stop saying, “if I do X, I’ll buy myself Malt” and replace it with “if I do X, I’ll take a lovely walk” 😂😂😂 There could be something here. A whole business plan or lifestyle change, but let me not get ahead of myself. I’ll take that walk soon and then see where the rest takes me. 

A thousand random things… 

Speaking of rest. It was a very adorable thing cuddling with Naa as I ended my work for the day yesterday. It was one of those “work weekends” so finally finishing what I wanted to do, and then closing my laptop, it was so cute seeing Naa reach out to me. Her hands open and raised with her fussy voice and eager eyes looking at me. It was nice to pick her up, rest her in my bosom and experience her falling asleep as I caught up on social media. It’s one of those everyday things and yet one of those everyday blessings too. Knowing you love someone who loves you too. Knowing you’re needed and have the chance to give off your best to the ones who adore you. Knowing you have many chances to cuddle with your baby whilst it lasts… it’s a beautiful thing. Our lives are filled with so much beauty in spite of all our pains and frustrations. And cuddles with Naa is one of my beautiful havens in life. 

A thousand random things… 

8:15am

1st baby diaries || Sunday, 17th July, 2022 || 7 calendar months, 22 days 

Priority

Tonight I got a call from the hospital; we have to return tomorrow to ensure any red flags from our labs earlier today are put in check. There wasn’t enough info from the labs to say there was a serious issue or a rather benign one. At some point in the conversation, the doctor said, “Oh, please come ooo”. That’s when I caught myself a little distracted by my planning. I was already thinking of what to tell my boss, how we’d meet this very important global deadline at work, how we can still work remotely with the hospital visit tomorrow. No… not at all, I wasn’t even considering not going to the hospital. “Oh no,” I replied, “we are very clear who the priority is, she’s priority, always. We’ll be there tomorrow.”

And that’s when it struck me. Naa Ameley will always be priority, family will always be priority, no matter what. 

Yes, there would be days Naa won’t get to play with me just because I’m home. There are days she gets shipped out of the room because she wants to “say some” during my work call 😂😂. And there are days she may wait an hour or 2 longer to suckle after I close from work because I had to leave the office later than usual. Yes, there may be many days like that. Honouring God in my work is important. And yes, there are days Ariel may have to wait with Naa outside our bedroom so I can complete an important call with an Enosua’s heArt client. Those days will come, but that doesn’t mean my family isn’t priority. Naa, if you or any of your siblings are reading this, know that the times you have to wait “your turn” doesn’t mean you aren’t priority. You are. Always. Just not a first pick as a constant, but when it’s really important, when it boils down to choosing one thing over my family, like my last job move was, you, my family, will always always be priority. 

It spooked me. The very thought. That one day I could walk away from a good career prospect or a great Enosua’s heArt break because my priorities are clear, our priorities are clear: Family first. 

Yes, it was spooky but “boy!!!” did that make me proud! An unwavering conviction, when push comes to shove, no one shoves my family out. 

Will I be irresponsible when choosing family over all (please don’t add God to the “all”… lol… that’s also very clear to me)? Hell no? I don’t plan to be and hope I meet people with grace who call that out if I ever do so blindly. I’ll do my very best to plan or mitigate, so I can honour God in honouring my family. And honour God in every other aspect of my life. I may pick work calls in the car at a hospital, if needed. Or wake up really early to fulfill a client’s order. And for sure, I would work late like I’m doing today to make up for “borrowed” time from my day job or other responsibilities. But will I put them first over you, Naa? Over our family? No… no, I won’t. God forbid that I do. 

I really ask for grace to keep us first, Naa. Speeches are easy, and announced convictions can be glamorous. So we thank God that grace abounds. 

That call has shaken me because of this thought that it generated, Naa. Thankfully the content of the call itself wasn’t scary. However, I’m thankful I’ve gotten those shock waves this evening. It’s a humbling reminder why I work, why I chase my dreams, why I love being a Mum, a Wife, a Daughter of God too. Typing this out has strengthened my resolve, and ooo am I grateful that I had this experience tonight. 

Tomorrow, we’d make it. Come hell or high water. And may we be given many opportunities to make it when it counts… for you, for family, for us…

6:38pm

1st Baby Diaries || Thursday, 14th July, 2022 || 7 calendar months, 19 days 

Exhausted, Super Proud!

One thing I’ve learnt being a Mom, Full time worker and a small business owner, either can make you exhausted… all 3? Very exhausted. 

Sometimes I’m so exhausted everything just takes a pause. Other times, the long hours of one become the more hours of another, especially with discipline and the frequent reminder that, “Sis! You don’t have time!” 

It’s fun building a business, adding value to your employer, pouring love and milk into your child. They have their ups and downs but let’s face it: it’s more than fun, each is a rewarding experience. They truly are. 

So tonight, I find myself trying to soothe my fussy teething baby so she can sleep on what could have been a semi-empty stomach. Thankfully the calm and wait till past 11pm paid off! She drank the rest of her formula! Finally! The one she rejected earlier. Naa Ameley loooooves food! So when she rejected food, I knew there was going to be extra effort needed tonight. Thankfully, whilst I waited and allowed her to fuss in and out of sleep till she got hungry, I worked on some paperwork for Enosua’s heArt… not a minute wasted being a goal, it was nice using up this TV/Mom time to catch up on what I had been putting off too long. Mompreneur.

After she finally finally fell asleep better fed, I put her down and then ironed my new dress for work. Day 5 on my new job and I wanted to look really good this time. If it didn’t fit perfectly just from all the weight I’ve gained these past few weeks, it surely had to be look well ironed. Thankful for all the leg work Mandy had put in, I just needed to iron out a few stubborn creases to finish it off. The plan was to catch up on some audio learning for my business as I ironed. I guess I forgot but it’s nice that the thought was there. Prepping for work and sharpening my side-hustle ask in tandem. Sidepreneur.

Yes, all this leaves me exhausted. I could have been asleep before 9pm but here I am, right before midnight, briefly catching this moment because I want to remember these days. 

I’m a young Mompreneur and Sidepreneur, I’m proud of both, proud of the 3 elements that make me both: Mom, full time employee and business owner (mostly in this order). Proud of all the systems currently in place plus the new ones I am building to help me excel as much as feasible in my circumstance at each. Proud of the awesome people I have at home, work and my Enosua’s heArt affiliations who support me. 

Yes. I’m a young Mompreneur and Sidepreneur, exhausted and super proud. 

00:02am

Mompreneur/Sidepreneur Diaries || Thursday, 7th July, 2022