In honor of Harper's first birthday, I decided I would impart my "wisdom" and the things I've learned in the past year. I know this is a little late, but it's been a crazy month!!
So...Here it goes.
1) You will never please people.
When the diamond goes on your finger, people want to know when the babies are going to happen. Then, you get pregnant and people want to know what it is. Then, you find out the gender and people want to know the name. Then, they're upset when you don't know the name because you want to see your baby before permanently inflicting a name upon them. Then, before that baby is out of newborn clothes, people want to know when the next one is coming. So I say again, YOU WILL NEVER PLEASE PEOPLE.
2) Babies aren't babies very long.
I printed out Harper's month pictures for her first birthday party and was absolutely blown away. I remember her at every stage, but how she morphed from one to another is beyond me. My favorite quote right now is, "Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different." - C.S. Lewis Watching her grow and learn is the most amazing thing ever - but I was NOT prepared for how quickly she grew out of the baby stage.
3) Childproofing is not to protect the child from what is in the cabinets/drawers, etc. Childproofing is to protect the child from the parent when all the child wants to do is to pull EVERYTHING out of said cabinet/drawer.
Tupperware, sippy cups, cups, shampoo, cheese graters, trash bags, cleaning products, music books, -- you get the picture.
4) The "mom hair cut" is a lie.
The cat's out of the bag ladies. The "mom hair cut" is not because you're stressed and don't have time to do your hair in the morning. Let's drop the act. The real reason for the shorter locks is because your hair ALL FELL OUT and now it's a stringy mess with 2 inch long new hair all over your head that frizzes out like a fiend when it's humid (read:all the time).
5) Your life doesn't have to end because you have a baby.
The most popular response to our pregnancy was "Your life is going to change!" I always wanted to say, "NO $#!&!" but always managed to smile and nod. Austin and I dated for 5 years, were married for 5 years, and knew full and well what we were getting into (well, as much as we could...). Do things take a little more planning than it used to? Yes. (Less now that we don't have to pack formula, bottles, baby food, etc.etc.etc.) Do we let it stop us? No way.
6) Mom really does know best.
No explanation needed.
7) Your life with a child won't look like the Pinterest-Perfect life you want it to.
Pregnancy? Nope
Birth? Nope
Daily Life? Nope
Most of it is NOT "just how you imagined it."
8) Cherish the moments that are.
Those days that you are having a picnic in the park with your family after an amazing bike ride. Those days that you are all napping at the same time. Those days that you are swinging on the swing set surrounded by your family. Cherish those moments.
9) The bad days are not your husband's fault.
On a more
serious note, this is one I struggle with on a daily basis. Your not picture perfect
day, screaming baby, body issues, insecurities, messy house, etc. are
not his fault - they are all apart of this crazy life. Just because
you're frustrated does not mean you can take it out on him. Let him
help you - don't push him away.
10) Mama needs some me-time. And it's okay to take it.
I'm a better mom when I have some "me time." I need alone time anyway - I used to go to bed 30 minutes before Austin just so I would have 30 minutes all by myself. And having a tiny human need you 24/7 - definitely calls for some alone time every now and then. Sometimes, I feel guilty about "abandoning" Harper or shirking my responsibility and sometimes I just have to completely forget about her (not really) because I'm a control freak and I'll stress about whoever is keeping her "doing it right", but when I come back I'm 100% a better mom. Even if it's a glass of wine while I'm reading Harry Potter for the 14000th time.
