For those of you that have been following us, you'll know by now that I have a 20 month old little girl. She is such a ball of energy, full of life and entertainment.
I always imagined being a mom, especially to a little girl. In my imagination, she was my real life doll who'd let me do her hair and dress her up. She'd be this dainty little princess with whom I'd have tea parties and play pretend. Even through my pregnancy, my imagination of our time was painting and reading. My reality however is very different. Let's start with the newborn phase:
1) Your car feels like a warzone.
Maybe this is different for experienced mamas, but for a first time mom still learning to hold and support her newborn, every little bump in the road or speed breaker was an enemy that needed to be thwarted! I remember my husband calling out from the front seat: "speed breaker!" "Pothole" "break!" And I squeezed her every time. She was born in the midst of the pandemic where we still couldn't go out and buy stuff or have things delivered so we couldn't even get a car seat to bring her home in!
2) Your butt won't know what a chair feels like.
I kid you not, those initial weeks, I have no idea if I ever really sat down. If I wasn't pacing around with her, I'd be completely horizontal in my cosy cosy bed. Whoever said sleep when the baby sleeps either had an army of help or no baby at all. Between the feeding, never ending burping and diaper changes, there isn't too much time for sitting. Worry not! For some reason, looking at the sleeping baby makes all that hardship feel worth it.
3) Going out is not for the faint-hearted
As I mentioned, my daughter was born in the thick of the pandemic so we didn't get out much and boy am I grateful. Going out takes so much more planning, thought and effort. The diaper bag looks bigger than my 9-month pregnant belly did! Probably heavier too! How does a newborn need so much stuff? Also, how much time does it take for makeup to hide the new mom dark circles? You know those memes where adults don't want to go out after 9 PM? Where's the meme for new parents?
4) PJs are your best friend.
I'm a girl that loves to dress up. But with the constant feeding and spit up, I couldn't be bothered. I'd rather be in oversized comfy clothing.
5) Showering (and other washroom business) alone is a luxury.
My little girl loves water, so the washroom is a playground for her. The moment the door opens, even if I'm just in there to grab laundry or something, she darts in faster than a lightning bolt. If I go in alone, you can bet there's going to be hysterical screaming outside my washroom door. Thank God for my husband who keeps her occupied so I can have my few minutes of peace.
6) Say goodbye to those romantic cuddles.
Although my baby had a crib that she slept in, all too often, she landed up in our bed. Why do babies rotate in their sleep or feel the need to sleep horizontally? I haven't got a clue. There's probably less space at the India Pakistan border than there is between you and your partner when the baby is in between!
7) You need 10 eyes and hands
Once they realise they can move about, you're as good as finished. You need a pair of eyes in every corner. The little explorer in them can't help but investigate everything, especially things they shouldn't! You've got to be quicker than the flash, gentler than the gentle giant and calm as a peacock though because otherwise, you're setting yourself up for battle.
8) Diaper changes are a workout
Speaking of knowing they can move, diaper changes can be real fun. My little one became an absolute gymnast for diaper change time.
9) Messy is the new norm
I know I said you need 10 eyes wide open earlier, but now I'm saying close them. 😂 Toys will be everywhere, books, bibs, clothes; you name it! You're basically playing The Floor is Lava for a few years.
10) Your heart will explode 2 times over
I've heard it from others but there's nothing like experiencing it first-hand. Holding your baby, the love that you feel is unimaginable. More than that, watching your partner assume their role as a co-parent, it's like falling in love all over again. That's why I say being a parent is one of the greatest miracles of life. The baby cries, eats and poops in the beginning, yet you're filled with so much love for them - why? I don't know, but what I do know is that it's the most incredible feeling in the world.
So there you have it, my breakdown of the realities of bringing home a baby. What was your experience like?
Some bonus pics to make you smile:
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