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Mother's Day with Natalia Emeschajmer

EDN friend, alumni and talented woodworker, Natalia (Talcia), answered some questions about motherhood and the daily rituals she has been practising during lockdown with her son, Milo, and partner, Morgan.

EDN friend, alumni and talented woodworker, Natalia (Talcia), answered some questions about motherhood and the daily rituals she has been practising during lockdown with her son, Milo, and partner, Morgan.

We had the joy of working with her in both our Ponsonby store and the Mt Maunganui Pop up, she has been on maternity leave since Milo was born. 

 

EDN - How have you found this lockdown as a new mother? T - My son was born in January, so it feels like I have been in a bubble for a while now. As a new mother spending days centred around home, not too much has changed - however during level four my partner Morgan was home from work and we really treasured this time together. After having a baby I found that simple moments with family and friends was the best medicine, especially when feeling tired and adjusting to a new rhythm. Having their company or watching your child be loved and cared for by the people who are most important to you is a beautiful thing. Missing these moments has been the hardest part of lockdown.<format> small left

 

 

EDN - What daily rituals are you performing to keep healthy and happy? T - I’ve started wetting a face towel and pressing water into my skin. It was a tip I heard from a facialist and has become a morning ritual before applying face oil to damp skin. Milo plays with his rattle while I do this, it’s his ritual for now. I can’t imagine a day without tea, quickly tossing a tea bag into a mug or taking an intentional moment to brew loose leaf in a teapot, I love them both. A friend gifted me nursing tea which keeps me feeling healthy and happy. I sometimes do this silly thing where I watch my hands make waves in the mirror. Observing this movement helps me feel instantly present, a bit like a child discovering their hands. <format> Large

 T - And at the end of the day I talk to my mum on the phone. It has been a ritual ever since I moved out of home, and even if we can only squeeze in five minutes it’s one constant that I look forward to and always feel better for it. 

<format> small right EDN - What have you learnt as a new mother? T - That if you wear a nappy you can poop anywhere, anytime, even in the most inconvenient of places. And that its possible for the heart to feel like it may pop!<format> small right

 T - I’ve also had to learn how to soften ideas around how much I can get done in a day, and that vulnerability isn’t always a bad thing and can foster a new kind of strength.

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EDN - What time are you taking for yourself? T - I take time to do the dishes and fold washing, it sounds sad but I enjoy mundane tasks where my mind can drift. Once Milo goes to bed I can take a warm shower and read a chapter of my book. Carving out time for myself looks quite different now with a baby but I’ve found that dipping my toes in the ocean while Milo is asleep in the sling counts as me time. <format> small right EDN - What have you been doing whilst in lockdown? T - Nursing, listening to records and reading lots of picture books. Enjoying daily walks to the beach, I’m always hopeful the sky will be pink. Trying to strengthen my core so that I don’t feel like a jellyfish doing yoga. Morgan has been finding cool old houses on Trade Me. We pretend we are able to buy them and dream up the renovations down to the smallest details. I’ve also been practicing how to pronounce and sing Purea Nei. <format>large

Words and Images by Natalia Emeschajmer.<format> small

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