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You are here: Home / family / {What it means to be a mom for the first time. // by Lisa Leonard}

{What it means to be a mom for the first time. // by Lisa Leonard}

March 5, 2013 · 12 Comments
Filed Under: family, friends, guest bloggers, inspiration, mamahood

Today my beautiful friend Lisa Leonard is sharing with us, “What it means to be a mom for the first time.” Lisa has such a kind, gentle, inspiring spirit — you’ll see that in her words below. Thank you Lisa for sharing your heart with us on this precious topic…

+ + +

Everything I thought about being a new mom change the day my son David was born.

lisa-leonard-gussy-sews

He came out quietly. There were whispers from the doctors. There was a terrifying tension that filled the room.

After the doctors did a quick evaluation, Steve, my husband brought David over to me and laid this tiny, swaddled baby on my chest.

He was adorable. He had a full head of hair, blue eyes and a button nose. He also had only two fingers on his left hand, a severe heart defect and we would soon find out, a genetic disorder that would make life look very different for our new baby.

The day my son was born was the day I began to learn that being a mom was about sacrifice. For me, being a new mom meant g-tube feeds, surgery, doctor visits and sleepless nights. But most of all, being a new mom meant opening my heart to a new kind of love. This little man came into my life and turned it upside down. He made me better. He made me less selfish. David makes the sunshine brighter and the stars twinkle at night.

He made me a mother, and I love him more than words can say.

Lisa Leonard blogs at Lisa Leonard Online where she shares stories from her heart, thrift store finds and her inspiring jewelry collection. Lisa and her husband, Steve, live in San Luis Obispo, CA with their two boys — David and Matthias.

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12 Comments
Filed Under: family, friends, guest bloggers, inspiration, mamahood

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Comments

  1. Southern Gal says

    March 5, 2013 at 4:05 am

    This story always makes my heart swell. Beautiful lady with a beautiful family.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      March 5, 2013 at 9:43 am

      @Southern Gal, I couldn’t agree more :)

      Reply
  2. Shannon says

    March 5, 2013 at 11:24 am

    I love her designs but had no idea about her story. What a beautiful one!

    Reply
  3. eileen marie says

    March 5, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    I teared up, I admit it. It’s clear you love BOTH of your boys very much, Lisa. I cannot wait to become a mother.

    Reply
  4. Debbie says

    March 5, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    I know what you mean Lisa, when my second son was born with severe disabilities it initially blew our world apart but he has been my biggest teacher and he has brought real joy into our lives. Good luck to you and your beautiful boys.

    Reply
  5. Shelly W. says

    March 5, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    Such truth. Our kids make us better.

    Reply
  6. Ashlee Spear says

    March 5, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    I read this post and instantly started to cry too. What a beautiful little kid. Thanks for this post.

    Reply
  7. Carole Z. says

    March 6, 2013 at 1:12 am

    I knew this story but it always makes me cry. This family is just amazingly full of love. And Lisa Leonard just has the perfect right words to talk about it. You can feel the love.

    Thanks for this wonderful post.

    Reply
  8. Kate @ Songs Kate Sang says

    March 13, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    Lisa’s heart is so beautiful. Love her.

    Reply
  9. Marla Murasko says

    April 7, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    What a beautiful post Lisa, and one that I can relate to. Our children truly are such a blessing and we are better parents because of them. Your son is beautiful just like you.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. {What it means to be a mom for the first time. // by Naomi Davis} says:
    March 14, 2013 at 3:00 am

    […] [See Lisa Leonard's response to this same question here.] […]

    Reply
  2. {What it means to be a mom for the first time. // by Erin Loechner} says:
    March 27, 2013 at 3:01 am

    […] to see Lisa Leonard's, Naomi Davis' and Arianne Segerman's response to this same […]

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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recent posts:

  • On writing regular letters. January 19, 2021
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JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

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Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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Ohhhhh, this year. Ohhhh, specifically these last Ohhhhh, this year. Ohhhh, specifically these last 3 months. I’ve had more anxiety than ever, and it’s seriously putting me on my knees in prayer —almost daily. My mind and chest aren’t unfamiliar of the attacks, but the grip it’s had on me since September has been so strong. The attacks are painful. But... Worship music has been one of my main healers. 🎶I know God is close to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18), and singing this truth really soothes me. Social media has been a big trigger for anxiety for me. I don’t want to “miss out on my life”, which is why I’ve hugely stepped back in posting and scrolling. 

One song in particular comes to mind:

“We step into Freedom. 
We step into all you have for us.” -Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson

There IS freedom from the anxiety attacks. For me: music, scripture, eating healthy, vitamins, rest, crying, prayer, honesty — these things help tremendously. Also getting up and MOVING when my anxiety sits on me like a boulder, that helps too. 🖤

Another soothing truth is from the end of Psalm 34:19 — “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the lord delivers him of them all.”

Seriously. Thank you lord. Thank you for music and for rest and for the words in your book. I need them. I need You. I need Your freedom. I trust you’ll deliver me.
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Thanks for coming along with me to the pool, nature trails, the park, hosting friends in our backyard, reading adventures, popcorn & movie night, art, planting flowers, planting a garden, bike rides, neighborhood walks, lake swimming, and supplying the ice cream truck w/ roughly $84 this summer. 

I loved our time together! 🥰🧒🏼👩🏻👧🏼🧒🏻

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Even if you don’t have students learning at home Even if you don’t have students learning at home, these ten “field trip” ideas will give your day a boost. 

When your mind feels foggy, step outside. When your home feels too small or too big, step outside. When the bickering is loud or your internal criticism is high, step outside. 

Give yourself (and your family) the joy of an adventure away from the home. 

🌾Visit my blog for the full post, link in profile or #maggiewhitleydotcom
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Many times we are out & about in the neighborhood and I think, “oh the flowers surrounding your porch are lovely!” Or, “wow” (to the elderly man) “you have such a great smile, thanks for sharing it with us!” Wouldn’t it be great to jot that down in a card and send it through the mail as well?

We are always in need of community & kind words! 🌷💬

I remember many years ago, when nearly pregnant with another baby and our personal finances were THE PITS, my best friend came over with $500 cash. Just to bless us. She also included a personal note. Of course, I’ve always known how special personal notes are, but this card really meant so much.

And so I’ve decided as the year-end nears: wouldn’t it be nice to send a letter a week for the final 20 weeks we have left in 2020. Me thinks so 🙂. 

Community & kind words: I’m coming for you!

PS. wanna join me in sending 20 cards by Dec. 31?
🖤working on our school room, mid-process update 🖤working on our school room, mid-process update! this wall is inspired by @mygrandparentschair 👏🏻 

I saw her feature in a recent issue of “Better Homes & Gardens” and I was all 🤩🤩over her foyer. I’m using 1/2” black masking tape (mistake-making friendly) instead of paint, also renter friendly. 

Working on this project has been so good for my mental health. Doing > worrying.
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