Now that I am a mom, so many of the one-liners and phrases that were said to me before and during my pregnancy suddenly make a ton of sense. Here are a few...
Stock Up on Sleep:
This one used to make me laugh, but now I totally get it and whole-heartedly agree that, if this was possible, I should have definitely done it!
You'll know when it happens:
During my pregnancy I had a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions. In the earlier months I realized that this didn't mean anything significant, but as weeks/months went on, I was always hopeful that a BH contraction might mean that labor was just around the corner. Whenever I discussed this with other moms, I was always told, "you'll know when it happens". This phrase bugged me because it was so vague but then, well, I went into labor and I "knew" it was happening.
Sleep when the baby sleeps:
It doesn't seem that hard, right? Except for the fact that I have a home to run and despite the bazillion of times I've heard this phrase, for some reason, sleep was always trumped by dishes, laundry, and/or shower. Sadly, I still have a hard time sleeping when he sleeps (like now)...but I really wish I had done more of this!
You Gotta Do What's Right for You:
So cliche but SO true. You can read every book, apply every bit of advice, but ultimately, you have to find your own system, your own technique. It's always good to ask advice and to learn from others, but at the end of the day, you really do have to do what's right for YOU.
A Mother's Love...:
When else in life are we ever ok with someone repeatedly waking us up in the middle of the night? Before you were a mom, did you ever giggle at bodily functions or laugh at bowel movements (correction: laugh at bm's that you would eventually have to clean up). And when else have you woken up after minutes of sleep, loving the person responsible for your lack of sleep even more than you loved them the day before?
It Gets Easier:
Getting out of the house still takes me at least 15 minutes (on a good day). I am still up at least two times a night (on a good night). Scheduling doctor appointments and playdates still stresses me out a little (ok, a lot). The car seat still weighs a million pounds (seriously...). The stroller is still broken (read: I still haven't figured out how to use it). Despite all of this, for some reason, it is easier. The job description hasn't changed, I have. I've learned to adapt and to be flexible. And most importantly, I've learned to never leave home without ample diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes- we learned this the hard way.
