Saturday 25th February 2017 will mark the day that our lives changed forever, please don’t take it the wrong way, definitely for the better. However, if you asked me in the first six-eight weeks just how I was coping with motherhood, I probably would have looked straight through you with glazed over eyes and lied that it was all going wonderfully well.
Sleep deprivation, constant nappy changes and entire days spent on the couch feeding and soothing a newborn back to sleep was a far cry from my once very independent, busy and active lifestyle. Putting a load of washing on and better still getting it hung out was an achievement in those early days and I constantly asked myself the question – how on earth do so many women become mothers and live to tell the tale?
As an athlete I often get asked who my role model was growing up. Well after becoming a mother my very response to that question is any mother who has raised a child is the most positive and wonderful role model out there!
The biggest challenge for me in those early weeks was not having any control and structure around my day-to-day life. Being an athlete, your day is normally planned down to the minute, knowing where you have to be and what you need to be doing, but as many parents can relate, it’s not just all about you anymore.
You have been given this precious little human being that relies completely upon you and in return gives you a feeling of love like you have never experienced before.
As we kissed the first six weeks goodbye, I felt as though I was slowly getting my head around this motherhood business and decided that it was time to get back into a routine of some sort. It also occurred to me that I had not been doing what has been a huge part of my life as long as I can remember, living an active lifestyle. Sure there was no way I could get out on the court to train, but being outside, getting some fresh air and some blood pumping through the veins was what I needed to include in my day for not only my benefit but also Barney’s.
Pilates became my lifesaver.
I was a huge fan of reformer pilates throughout my pregnancy and because I am finding it equally as important to keep my mind and body moving in the right direction. Long walks with the pram and my dog Charlie with coffee in hand were the simple things that all of sudden made such a difference to getting me out and about.
Ask me now about motherhood and I would say it is the most wonderfully rewarding and best job I have ever had the pleasure of doing. Routine, keeping active and enjoying the moment have been my motherhood motto’s as I embrace everyday with Barney and look into his little face and realise just how lucky I am that he chose me to be his Mum.
I am super excited and looking forward to returning to the court for the Queensland Firebirds in 2018 with my little man watching from the stands.