11/27/2007 - Thirty things that change when you have a baby

i get weekly emails from the babycenter. they are always very informative, as each week/month during my pregnancy they described "what to expect". anyway, post delivery, i still get them. they are usually about my childs development. this one, however, was a little more interesting. i thought i'd share, because those of you who have children will agree with ALL of these. those of you who don't have children (by chance or by choice) will probably not 'get' it. especially the ones i highlighted BLUE! i highlighted them because are the things i least expected from myself (before baby to after baby).  (and, 2010's edits are in red!)

Thirty things that change when you have a baby by Rebecca Woolf Last updated: November 2006

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid. [not only for the safety of my child, but also for the safety of myself because i always want to be there for him!]

3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

4. You respect your body ... finally.  or, after 2, have i just given up?  ;)

5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way. [this one in particular touches me because i find myself amazed and indebted because i KNOW our parents loved us as much as i love rkt. it is a feeling that leaves me speechless and sometimes in tears. not sad, just overwhelmed with love.]

6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago. [you also learn pretty quickly the people that REALLY matter and love you more than you knew!]

9. Your heart breaks much more easily.

10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

11. Every day is a surprise.

12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!) [i also find myself TALKING about these body functions. not really at the appropriate time either.]

13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself. [i wish i could double bold this one!]

14. You become a morning person.

15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

And from our readers...

1. "You discover how much there is to say about one tooth." — Ashley's mom

2. "You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth." — Anonymous

3. "You now know where the sun comes from." — Charlotte

4. "You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have." — Sophie's mom [i know melissa will second this one]

5. "You realize that, although sticky, lollipops have magical powers." — Roxanne

6. "You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night." — Kellye [as a matter of a fact, you look forward to it!]

7. "Silence? What's that?" — Anonymous  totally.  i don't think my kids ever shut up!

8. "You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having." — Brenda [they may be worth having, but i still don't want them!]

9. "You discover an inner strength you never thought you had." — Ronin and Brookie's mom  [like to overcome a fear of spiders just so your kids are scared of them!  my kids aren't really scared of anything!  except the easter bunny and santa!  haha]

10. "You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule." — Thomas' mom

11. "You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one." — Jaidyn's mom

12. "Your dog — who used to be your 'baby' — becomes just a dog." — Kara [this goes for cats too!]

13. "You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late." — Tracey

14. "You learn that taking a shower is a luxury." — Jayden's mom

15. "You realize that you can love a complete stranger." — Dezarae's mom