People say you won't be able to remember life before baby....and that is true, to an extreme that I couldn't imagine before meeting this precious little man. Before I was mommy, I was Sara. Just Sara. Sometimes babe, hunny, bean, lovey, sugar. But when I really think about it, I'm not just "mommy" now...sooooo much has changed:
Before I was a mommy, I was always usually on time.
Before I was a mommy, I was opposed to and probably even sneered when I heard stories of using the television as a babysitter, now sometimes in the morning, that's the only way I get a shower for the day.
Before I was a mommy, I enjoyed a quiet car ride, or would blare my radio...that is replaced now with raspberries being blown, giggles, fusses, and someone else singing along to the radio.
Before I was a mommy, I NEVER had conversations with other adults that involved the words "poo poo, pee pee, and stinky" never came out of my mouth on a regular basis, if at all.
Before I was a mommy, I called my husband "babe, hunny, lover"....now I can't find myself saying anything other than "daddy" and usually in the highest pitch voice imaginable.
Before I was a mommy, I could quickly run to and through the grocery store, or stop at Starbucks on the way to work without even flinching.
Before I was a mommy, my family would call to say hello and talk about work, our week, the next time we would see each other. I am now greeted with, "how is the baby?" "what new thing is he doing?" ...and my favorite..."I have to let you go, the baby needs to eat/go to bed/take a bath/is screaming in the backseat"
Before I was a mommy, my husband would walk through the door and greet me with a kiss. Now I feel like I need to take a number most days after baby greetings and kisses, bathroom break, change of clothes...shall I go on? haha
Before I was a mommy, I never visited sites like Parenting, Fit Pregnancy, Bump, WebMD/BabyMD, and other parent bloggers.
Before I was a mommy my Pinterest boards were full of DIY and homey goodness, not potty-training tips, milestone markers, and "playdates with you son."
Before I was a mommy, I would find it silly, the mothers who whipped out their cell phone to share the 1,203,201 pictures they took of their babes over the weekend, or last night. Yeah...I so do this...my cell phone, camera, video camera, etc get whipped out as soon as someone asks what we did over the weekend, or how the babe is doing....and (ashamed to say) even without any solicitation.
Before I was a mommy, I had no concept or idea that a child might need to breastfeed, no matter where his/her parents were or what they were doing. (eh um...grocery store, church, shopping, driving, visiting with friends, date night...the list goes on)
Before I was a mommy, I couldn't imagine doing an Etsy or Pinterest search for the best "Hooter Hider" or "Udder Cover"....let alone, ordering one!
Before I was a mommy, I went into stores like TJMaxx, Target, or the mall and wandered the isles (for sometimes hours) just looking at clothing and things for the house. Now, if (and that is a big IF) there is even an hour or the money for shopping without a purpose...it is spent exclusively in the baby section...of every store. Without fail. Without even a teensie look at women's fashion.
Before I was a mommy, I looked forward to packing for a trip in a carry-on suitcase so I didn't have to check a bag. Ha! That is never happening again until he can carry his own!
Before I was mommy, my house was clean, dishes washed, laundry done....every.single.day. Pretty sure if this ever happens all at once again, I will need to check my bank account for the maid service my husband hired.
Before I was a mommy, I never knew that I could easily lift/hold 30 pounds for hours on end, while watching other people around me struggle after five minutes of carrying my son.
Before I was a mommy, getting ready for work took the entire hour...shower, blow-dry, straighten, make-up, get dressed, etc. I'm lucky to get two out of five done...instead it's diaper change, nurse, pump, shower (hopefully), throw on mascara while saying good morning to the nanny, run out the door and pray my shoes match!
Before I was a mommy, I smiled and sometimes chatted with strangers in public...now I have no choice as they google over my sweet babe, try to touch him, laugh when they smile at him, ask a million questions about his age, weight, where I got my stroller, etc.
Before I was a mommy, my house/office/computer were peppered with wedding photos and college friends.
Before I was a mommy, I let my cell phone go to voicemail if I knew it wasn't my husband calling.
Before I was a mommy, I had no concept of how much daycare costs and how difficult it is to truly trust someone else to care for your little miracle.
Before I was a mommy, I went to the gym, daily.
Before I was mommy, I was a woman without an unfulfilled purpose in life.
Now my heart is full.
