Here I am - one whole month into motherhood! It's been quite an adventure and an adjustment for the whole household - dogs included. In this past month, I have had quite a few revelations.
1. I am a mother and am now entitled to whatever I want. For some reason, I now feel like I am free to do or say whatever I want because...I am a mother. For example, I was driving down the road the other day and saw a police officer coming in my direction. I may or may not have been going slightly over the speed limit. Normally I would have slammed on my brakes, got super nervous, and checked my rear view mirror for the next 5-10 miles to see if I was about to be pulled over. However, this time I slowed a little and then thought "he can't pull me over - I'm a mother! I have places to go!" Another example is when I was having a "mommy's night out" with some friends last weekend. Can you believe the audacity of the bartender to serve the gentleman to my right who had been waiting much longer than me first?! I am a mother! I need a drink more than he does!
2. Everything is 10x louder when the baby is sleeping. Opening a can of coke...used to be a refreshing sound. Now? Sounds like an atomic bomb is going off. When I finally get the baby to sleep at night and crawl into bed to snuggle up, the sheets actually make a normal rustling sound; however, to me it sounds like hurricane-force winds whipping through a clothesline. I then have to proceed in super slow-motion and climb into bed like I'm stalking prey in the Sahara.
3. All modesty has gone out of the window. I will now answer any question one may have about pregnancy, labor, the color and consistency of my baby's poop, etc with no hesitation. Previously, I was actually quite a modest person. Not anymore! If you happen to be at my house for more than an hour or two and it is time to pump, it is almost guaranteed that you will see "the girls". I have no shame these days.
4. Nothing is off limits in discussions with fellow parents. My best example so far actually happened tonight. I was out to dinner with my hubs, my MIL, and sweet baby Davis. He was getting a little fussy so I was holding him and giving him a bottle at the table. A male server (not even our server, mind you) came over and asked how old he is. Ok, not a big deal - it's a normal question to ask a lady with a baby. He goes on to tell me that his little girl just turned 4 weeks too! Next question out of his mouth, "Is that formula or breast milk you're feeding him?" Ummm...hello sir, nice to meet you! He did congratulate me on only giving him breast milk and then reassured me that by now my milk supply is already established so I should be able to keep up with Davis' demand even though he's a big eater. I feel so much better now. Thanks.
5. I will never be on time again - ever. I might as well not set a time for when I will be somewhere because I will most definitely be late. I planned to meet a friend at Starbucks this morning at 9:30...finally at 12:30pm we placed our order. It's ridiculous. If I tell you to meet me at my house at 1:00, I mean for you to be there at 1:00 so that you can entertain Davis and I can spend the next 30 minutes getting ready, then an additional 10 minutes packing his diaper bag and getting him in the car seat. Once we actually get to our destination, plan on another 5-7 minutes in the parking lot getting the stroller out and set-up, etc.
6. I could never be a single mother. Seriously, I don't know how these women do it. Being a mother is serious business - it's hard. Really hard. I can never express my gratitude to my family and friends who have helped me and allowed me to keep my sanity throughout the last four weeks. I've always known Andrew was a wonderful man, friend, and husband but for real...Dad of the Year! I also have to give a special thanks to my mom and mother-in-law who were here alternating "shifts" for the first two weeks, call to check on me daily (and sometimes just to chat!), and come over on the weekends to help with the baby. I couldn't ask for two better women in my life or better grandmas to Davis!
I completely hear about being late! I still tend to think of time as in how long it takes me to get ready - not me and Ansley! (I also forget to factor in 5 minutes of conversation about which shoes she is allowed to wear, 5 minutes of her insisting she can put said shoes on "by herself!", etc.) ha ha But as far as the sounds and sleeping, I understand, but remember, it was very very loud "inside" - he could hear you breath, talk, heartbeat, etc. and you don't want him to get too used to things being absolutely silent. I have friends who can no longer talk or watch tv, etc. once their kiddo goes to bed...not fun! Ansley can sleep through a lot and man that NICU was LOUD!
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