I know some of you out there are moms already. I also know that some of you are expectant mothers, or not even that far, but I only feel it fair to share some pearls of wisdom with you that I have gathered over the last six months. Some of it was from my own experience, and some of the advice was gleaned from my online mommies group. They are some smart cookies, and have helped me through many a troubled day! So...here it is.
1. The first night is one of the biggest, most mind-boggling, tiring, exhausting, stressful, confusing, shocking nights of your life. It's your first official night on the job, and although you are still running on adrenaline, you are starting to learn how different your life already is.
2. You need to pick your battles carefully. Your husband/wife is your partner and the other half of this little miracle. You need each other more now than you ever have before, so, even when it's 3 weeks in and it's 3am, don't fight about who's more tired. You're both exhausted, but try not to take it out on each other.
3. Everything is 100x harder. Everything. Showering, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, sleeping, bring a spouse, being yourself, everything.
4. There is literally no more
alone time. You run on the baby's schedule. Your life is dictated by a baby. You plan everything around naps and feedings. You wonder if you will ever feel 'normal' again...(Answer is no. This actually turns out to be a good thing.)
5. You will cry a LOT in the first couple of weeks, mostly out of frustration, sleep deprivation, panic, and guilt (over having thoughts that you'd never imagine having!). Then, you will also cry in awe and love for your little baby. It's normal and okay. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
6. Your body will be different. I thought it would never happen to me, but I was wrong. You will weigh more have less attractive
boobs stomach hips features. You may wear maternity clothes for months after birth (even longer if you refuse to accept defeat and buy that crazy, unspoken of, size. *Shudder.*)
7. Don't doubt your spouse. No matter what they were like PB (pre-baby), they will shock and amaze you when you realize they CAN do everything you can do, and sometimes even better. You will fall in love with them all over again, in a bigger, better, different way.
8.
Breastfeeding can be hard work. Babies don't necessarily know what to do, so you may have to work on it for a while. And be sure to invest in a good pump and have a supply of bottles handy. (Taken from a breastfeeding mama)
9. Never say never. You may be doing a lot of things you said you would never do.
10. Don't rely on books like What to Expect When You're Expecting, parenting websites, or other people to give you black or white answers on parenting. Trust your gut, and don't do something just because someone told you it's the best way for you and your family.
11. For the days/weeks following your return home from the hospital, you will NOT cook a worthwhile meal. If you eat, it will be crap, so, if you are ambitious enough, make a few freezer meals that you can just defrost and heat to eat during those crazy days. Michael and I didn't do this, and we ate PB&Js and takeout pizza for about a week.
12. I wish people would have told me the brutal details about breastfeeding. Everyone made it sound so lovely and beautiful and made you feel like you are the devil if you even consider formula. Nobody talks about how much it SUCKS- The cracked
nipples, the pain, crying because your husband is sleeping all night and you have to get up and nurse all night. (Taken from an ex-breastfeeding mama).
13. Your relationship with your spouse will be stressed and strained from all the big changes happening. You may love each other more than ever, but things may also be different. Try to make time for each other, even if it is just sitting on the couch together, with a glass of wine, trying to make it through an entire episode of American Pickers before passing out. At 8pm.
So, I'll end the list here at 13. I know there are more out there...would YOU like to add anything?
