I wrote this poem before Forest was born. Now that I’m on the other side of things, I see now that it is just as much for you as for him. For all the people that saw me and supported me during my pregnancy. And it’s a poem for some old version of me that I can’t quite remember. Even though it’s only been a few days, my life has changed so much. I don’t remember the person who made this, or any of the pieces from the Pregnant Potter Project. But I thank her for all of the art she created and for all of the thoughts she had. If I were to write a poem to Forest now, to the little life sleeping in my arms, there is so much more I would say. I would tell him how proud I am of the 20 hours we both worked to bring him here. I would tell him about the unexpected, life-saving scar that marked me as his mama. How scared both his parents were when things went wrong, and how incredibly relieved I was when I finally held him and knew we were both okay. I would tell him that I’m simultaneously so in love with him and so overwhelmed by him. I would tell him that he is the most beautiful, special, incredible thing I’ve ever seen. That I can’t believe he is mine. And that know I won’t be a perfect mom, but that I will do everything in my power to hold him in love and keep him safe. Everyone says that pregnancy is a rebirth for the mom too. Before Forest’s arrival, I thought that meant just metaphorically. I didn’t expect that in these early days, I would actually become a baby again. That I would feel so insanely helpless. That I would cry hysterically for hours because of everything and nothing. That my husband would have to feed me food and water because taking care of two people is just too much. That I would have to figure out how certain parts of my body work. Or that the world would feel so new and strange. We have been a chaotic little team, me and Forest. Two helpless blobs, drunk on love and breastmilk, doing the best we can. Also very grateful for dad’s support as team manager, encouraging and holding both of us. To all the mothers out there: I’m floored by your strength, by our strength. #pregnantpotterproject #birthannouncement #potteryprocess #ceramics #thirdtrimester #39weekspregnant #pregnancytok #pregnancyjourney #pottersoftiktok