It’s true that when you enter motherhood, your emotions are multiplied.

All of a sudden you find yourself with more capacity for love, compassion, empathy, trust, patience, understanding, hope, sympathy, remorse, happiness, endearment ……. the list is endless. A lot of these you have expected to grow. Whilst you were pregnant you may have imagined how much extra love your baby would bring to your heart or how patient you would need to be etc.

For me, the growth of pride was an unexpected one. I don’t know if it’s because I didn’t really think about how my baby would make me proud (as a baby), but my capacity for pride has expanded so much.

I was immensely proud when for he first time he rolled over, or said “mum”, or sat up unaided.  I still remember the squeal I made when he took his first steps by himself into my arms. I remember how much I wanted to cry with joy when I was given his first piece of art from nursery for mother’s day.  But you know what, I could never have anticipated the pride I felt when Otis nailed this shape-sorter for the first time! Seriously, these things are tricky! This shape-sorter thing is a big deal. My baby is now officially a genius. I am so proud. I am proud of him in ways that I didn’t even think I could be and I’m sure the pride I feel for him will continue to surprise me for the rest of his life.