Reflections on a first Mother's Day

Yesterday I celebrated my first Mother's Day. My Mom, Hannah and I went to Red Lobster for lunch.

It was a nice time to reflect on how lucky I am to be my Mother's daughter and how lucky I am to be Mother to Hannah. It also made me realize how much closer to my Mom I've become since Hannah was born and I became a mother myself - probably because once again I am seeking her advice.

After post-secondary school when I moved out, I didn't really "need" my Mom. After a year in the working world, paying your own bills and living on your own, you don't really inquire and check in with your Mom to see what shoes you should wear out to the bar, or how long is an acceptable amount of time for the guy you are dating to text you back. When it comes to life, it seems like your Mom has stopped being the person you go to and your friends are the wise ones when you have problems that need to be solved.

But as soon as Hannah started to grow and move in my belly, I was all questions with my Mom. Apparently I got some just desserts - when my Mom was pregnant with me I wouldn't stop kicking her ribcage. Hannah was the same way in the womb. I hated to nap, but was quite content in my stroller soaking everything in. Hannah also hates to nap for fear of missing out on anything.

I'm also very lucky in that my Mom only gives me advice when I seek it. I was formula-fed. My Mom supported my breastfeeding Hannah, and I know she will stand behind all my decisions even if she would do (or did do) things differently. My Mom has definitely eased my transition into becoming a Mom. And I am sure she will remain steadfast even into Hannah's teenage years, where I am sure to receive even MORE just desserts.

I hope all the Moms out there had a great Mother's Day! It's the cherry on top - to be recognized for doing the best job in the world.

Migraine Mommy = Colicky Baby?

The thing I miss most about being pregnant is lack of migraines.

I started suffering migraines in 2010. They came on quite suddenly, and the two neurologists I've seen have no idea why I have the neurological deficits I do. (My face, right arm and right leg often go numb in addition to a 12 hour headache, feeling dizzy and having nausea).

Because migraines are genetic, I was and continue to be very worried that I could pass them on to my daughter. It also doesn't help that her father had migraines when he was a child.

However a new study presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting this week gives me a little hope that Hannah might not suffer migraines like her parents.

The general findings from the report done by the Headache Center at the University of California, San Francisco according to an article from Medical News Today:

"The researchers looked at more than 150 mothers and their babies, and colic was reported by questions the scientists developed - using standard criteria for identifying colic. Twenty nine percent of infants had colic when mothers had a history of migraines, whereas only eleven percent of babies had colic when their mothers didn't have migraines."

Thankfully Hannah does not have colic. However, I didn't have colic as a baby either, so perhaps Hannah will still be like me and suffer from migraines when she's older. Regardless, I'm still glad she's made it through the first potential sign with no indication that she will.