New Mom

Bradley Agather Means is no stranger to doing her research to find the latest and greatest in lifestyle, fashion and beauty products for readers of her blog. But the Luella & June founder (luellajune.com) admits she isn’t fully versed on all things baby—even months after her son’s arrival. “I’m not somebody who grew up babysitting. I didn’t know much about babies. Definitely every single day is a learning process,” Agather Means shares. That doesn’t mean she hasn’t fully immersed herself in parenting (with a super healthy mindset, in our opinion) since having George 4 months ago. “I can’t worry if he is eating as much or sleeping as much as this [other] baby. It’s going to be fine. He’s still going to go to college.”

OF MOTHERHOOD? I had no expectations. It’s a totally new and different and exciting and wonderful thing. I think that the best way to describe postpartum is that everything is weird and special and wonderful all at the same time.

My pregnancy was wonderful. Again, I went into it with absolutely no expectations. I was just grateful to be pregnant. I’ll be honest; I think it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s just a total change. I think that you become a mom the second that you are pregnant, like your body is not your own anymore.

MOST? The overwhelming love that I feel for this baby. Really— the sheer amount of love there is. I love this baby so much, and loving something that much can be scary, because they’re just the best thing and you want the best for them and the anxiety of that.

THIS EXPERIENCE? I had heard about [mom shaming] from friends, but there’s a lot. I think that it’s [often] well intentioned and coming from a good place. Take what you will with it and tune out the rest; pick your person or pick your two people to get advice from, because you need the help and you need the advice. But learning to not let [other people’s opinions] affect you is not easy. It is important to do, because otherwise I would just be nuts.

MORE CHILDREN? I don’t know, I really don’t. I’ve never been someone who plans like that. I think we’re so grateful and happy with one—maybe never say never, but if this is just the one that I’ll have, then I’m OK with that too.

When people ask me that, I sort of hesitate because I’m like, I think he’s the best damn baby that ever existed. He’s definitely the best part of my day. I just think he’s wonderful.

BEEN AS A NEW DAD? He is amazing, and I really think that having a great partner is probably the reason I’m sitting here telling you that I have the best baby. Because I have somebody who is doing it with me.

ING A MOM? I think probably the greatest lesson is asking for help, and being present—not taking yesterday into today. If yesterday was a bad day, let’s wake up today and it’s just new and it could be totally different. Babies really teach you that. They’re changing all the time and it’s like, just be present where you are and know that it will change. Be accepting of it. And I’m not necessarily that great with change, but I’m learning. Also, it’s amazing the things you can do with one hand. ●