So, having been a mom for a year I feel like I can finally write down a list of things I learned from being a mom this past year. My friends who became pregnant after me ask their friends, including me, on advice of the best things to buy, what to purchase before you have the baby, what you can wait on, what things I never thought I would use that I now realize I couldn't have lived without, and so on. So, some motherly advice that if I could turn the clock back to August 2010, I would give myself.
In no particular order...
1) Buy bibs with snaps, not velcro
The velcro, unless you make sure (which is hard to do) that all of them are latched together before they go into your dryer or else they will stick to everything. And, eventually your child will learn that if she pulls hard enough, she can rib the bib from her neck. Snaps...not so much.
2) Buy bibs that are waterproof
Yes, children are drooly and messy. Unless you want to change your kids clothes 3-4x a day, use waterproof bibs.
3) Amazon.com/mom is your savior
It's amazing. You will have the UPS man coming to your house several times a week. Get the amazon.com pricechecker app for your phone and use it whenever you feel like buy something in the store...then realize you can get it cheaper on amazon (if you don't mind waiting 2 days for it).
4) Making baby food isn't as involved as you think
I know a lot of moms are busy and can't make their own baby food, no biggie, I'm not anti-jar food -- I could actually care less what other people feed their kids. But, if you have the time or can spend an evening or two a month making food, go for it. Buy a steamer or use the old fashioned steam basket and blend away, then freeze away. I had a great time doing it for Ella and they're not on pureed food for very long.
5) Don't register for a gazillion diapers in a gazillion sizes
I know a few girls who registered for diapers up to size 6. What??? First question, how do you even know the brand you registered for will be the best for your baby? I've heard some moms swear by Pampers (which we use) and some by Huggies and some by a CVS or Target brand. And, last time I checked diapers come in some huge packages...where are you going to store all of these until the kid is 2+ years old? I don't even know how old you are when you're in size 6 diapers. Ella is 1 and we're still in size 3.
6) Never shut your cellphone off
I don't care if I'm in a business meeting. if something is wrong with my daughter, I want to know. Tell whomever is watching your child that you'll be in a meeting but if something happens, you can be available.
7) Get a housecleaner
I hired my housecleaner when Ella was a few months old and it was the best decision ever. She comes every other week and she's a God send. Plus, she's an amazing woman and we love her so much so Ella has enjoyed seeing her and playing games with her as well.
8) Don't get a million stollers
We really didn't need our travel system stroller. In hindsight I would have just used my carseat with my snap and go, and then went straight into an umbrella stroller or used my jogger. The good thing about the travel system stroller is that it's better for indoors rather than the jogger, and you can store more things in there and it's more comfortable, but do we really need it? Not really.
9) Don't make a big deal out of things before they're a big deal
I brought Ella to the pool today and I was there by myself for the majority of the time. The night before we went I was wondering how I would get changed afterwards, and where I would put her, and if I should bring her float and if it would be crowded. I didn't spend a ton of time thinking this, but these questions certainly went through my head. In the end, it was a breeze and I worried for nothing.
10) Don't ever feel like you should turn off your mom-instincts...ever
There have been a few instances where I thought...should I really tell that person to wash their hands before they hold Ella? Or, should I really sit near Ella and help her play with the kids who are older because they're playing a bit rough and she's much smaller than them? Or, hey, that stranger is going in to kiss my daughter...maybe I should shove her away :) Regardless of it's little or big, you're the baby's mom and you and the dad make decisions, nobody else. Do whatever you want to do even if it goes against your family or friend's opinions.
I'm sure I'll have a gazillion more. Maybe this is why I'm going back to title it Motherly Advice Part I.
Showing posts with label Top Ten List. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top Ten List. Show all posts
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Top Ten List -- Mom Version
Like all parents, I've been doing things a bit differently now that I'm a mom. Some things I never thought in a million years I'd be doing; some I figured I would be doing, it's just weird that it's actually happening now. So here's my list: The Top Ten Things I Never Thought I'd Do, Or Think, Until I Became a Mom.
1. Go to bed before 10pm every night (even on weekends).
Then: My college roommates can attest to the fact that I was always the last one to go to bed. Staying up to midnight or 1am (or later) was the norm.
Now: The clock strikes 10pm (or soon thereafter) and if I'm not already in my bed then I turn off the tv and head on upstairs and cannot wait to get into my pjs and under the covers. I do this for several reasons: 1) I'm freaking tired all of the time 2) I know that if Ella is asleep I might as well go to bed now anyway and try to sneak in a few hours of sleep while I can 3) If I stay up much later I would think, "Self...your baby was asleep at 7:30 and yet, you stayed up until 11pm...you can't complain tomorrow when you're so tired because it's your own fault." And, I really don't want myself having that conversation with myself the next morning.
2. Ignore e-mails that say "Huge Shoe Sale from Nordstroms!" Or other enticing sale message from one of my favorite retailers.
Then: Hello, sale? I'm Stephanie. Nice to meet you.
Now: Heck no. I can't remember the last time I bought something for myself. Ella, yes. Aaron, yes. Kali (our dog), yes. Me, notsomuch. I miss buying shoes (or anything else for that matter).
3. Think driving someplace in my car alone is considered "me" time.
Then: Driving someplace was a means to an end. I drive, I get there...mission accomplished.
Now: If I get out of the house to go grocery shopping or run to CVS or even head to a meeting, I think of it as me time. I don't have to worry about my daughter in the back seat or whether or not our dog is going to poop in my car -- it's just me.
4. Feel baldy about doing something for myself.
Then: When I was married with no children I never felt bad if I went to the gym or got a mani/pedi or did something with friends. Nor did I get upset when my husband did the same.
Now: I can't help it. Mom guilt that I hope I'll get over soon. My husband encourages me to get out and do something on my own and I'm starting to feel better about doing so. Plus, it's good for me to have my own time (I have to keep repeating that to myself).
5. Not caring if I had a boy or girl first.
Then: I used to think I wanted a son first. I grew up with an older brother who is absolutely amazing. He's a Major in the Army so as you can imagine, he always was the protective older brother that I loved having. I think everyone always imagines having a family like their own. If you have a sister you want your child to have a sister, and so on.
Now: When I was pregnant, even since day one, we knew Ella was a girl. And an overwhelming majority of people guessed girl...literally only 3 people guessed boy. The ultrasound tech expected us to have some sort of reaction when she said, "it's a girl!" and we said, "we know!" I am so thrilled to have Ella first. I know she'll be an amazing older sister to a younger sister or brother.
6. Want to see someone's poop.
Then: Um, obviously I wouldn't ever want to see someone's poop, ever. In college I was at a party and had to use the bathroom. Well, the guys who lived there took Polaroids of their poops and posted them on the wall. Nasty. I never forgot it and it's been 10 years since I graduated.
Now: If I don't change Ella's diaper I always ask, "What did her poop look like?" I am amazed by what it looks like and how it changes. Granted, I'm checking to see if something she just ate isn't agreeing with her but still, I never thought I'd be so excited or so interested in someone else's poop.
7. Want to know where I came from.
Then: I was always told my heritage was Italian and English. Then it changed to Italian, English and Irish. Ok, fine by me.
Now: There was a 14-day free trial of ancestry.com and I couldn't resist. For a while now I've been wanted to know how far back I could trace my family. Not only for me, but for Ella as well. I wanted her to know that she had generations before her who came from whatever country and did whatever for a living. I just suddenly felt that it was important to know her history -- and to also find our we're part Scottish.
8. Hire a Cleaning Lady.
Then: Why on earth could I not do everything under the sun, including cleaning the house thoroughly each week?
Now: Help with house cleaning, heck yes! The best bi-weekly expense ever.
9. Buy something from Amazon.com each week.
Then: Amazon.com was great for things like Christmas shopping.
Now: I'm not kidding when I say this, but I buy something from Amazon every other week, or more frequently. Their Amazon.com mom program is amazing and their subscribe and save is genius. If you are a mom/dad or parent-to-be you need to know about this.
10. Care so much about breastfeeding.
Then: When I was younger I always wondered if I would breastfeed and never really had any desire to do so.
Now: As Ella gets older and eats more solids I know the breastfeeding will come to an end in the near future. Hopefully I can make it to 12-months but we'll see how my body holds out. It was not easy and in the beginning it looked like it wasn't going to work out, but I kept with it and am still doing it today. It's an experience that I'm very proud of and I'm so glad I did it for her, and for me.
1. Go to bed before 10pm every night (even on weekends).
Then: My college roommates can attest to the fact that I was always the last one to go to bed. Staying up to midnight or 1am (or later) was the norm.
Now: The clock strikes 10pm (or soon thereafter) and if I'm not already in my bed then I turn off the tv and head on upstairs and cannot wait to get into my pjs and under the covers. I do this for several reasons: 1) I'm freaking tired all of the time 2) I know that if Ella is asleep I might as well go to bed now anyway and try to sneak in a few hours of sleep while I can 3) If I stay up much later I would think, "Self...your baby was asleep at 7:30 and yet, you stayed up until 11pm...you can't complain tomorrow when you're so tired because it's your own fault." And, I really don't want myself having that conversation with myself the next morning.
2. Ignore e-mails that say "Huge Shoe Sale from Nordstroms!" Or other enticing sale message from one of my favorite retailers.
Then: Hello, sale? I'm Stephanie. Nice to meet you.
Now: Heck no. I can't remember the last time I bought something for myself. Ella, yes. Aaron, yes. Kali (our dog), yes. Me, notsomuch. I miss buying shoes (or anything else for that matter).
3. Think driving someplace in my car alone is considered "me" time.
Then: Driving someplace was a means to an end. I drive, I get there...mission accomplished.
Now: If I get out of the house to go grocery shopping or run to CVS or even head to a meeting, I think of it as me time. I don't have to worry about my daughter in the back seat or whether or not our dog is going to poop in my car -- it's just me.
4. Feel baldy about doing something for myself.
Then: When I was married with no children I never felt bad if I went to the gym or got a mani/pedi or did something with friends. Nor did I get upset when my husband did the same.
Now: I can't help it. Mom guilt that I hope I'll get over soon. My husband encourages me to get out and do something on my own and I'm starting to feel better about doing so. Plus, it's good for me to have my own time (I have to keep repeating that to myself).
5. Not caring if I had a boy or girl first.
Then: I used to think I wanted a son first. I grew up with an older brother who is absolutely amazing. He's a Major in the Army so as you can imagine, he always was the protective older brother that I loved having. I think everyone always imagines having a family like their own. If you have a sister you want your child to have a sister, and so on.
Now: When I was pregnant, even since day one, we knew Ella was a girl. And an overwhelming majority of people guessed girl...literally only 3 people guessed boy. The ultrasound tech expected us to have some sort of reaction when she said, "it's a girl!" and we said, "we know!" I am so thrilled to have Ella first. I know she'll be an amazing older sister to a younger sister or brother.
6. Want to see someone's poop.
Then: Um, obviously I wouldn't ever want to see someone's poop, ever. In college I was at a party and had to use the bathroom. Well, the guys who lived there took Polaroids of their poops and posted them on the wall. Nasty. I never forgot it and it's been 10 years since I graduated.
Now: If I don't change Ella's diaper I always ask, "What did her poop look like?" I am amazed by what it looks like and how it changes. Granted, I'm checking to see if something she just ate isn't agreeing with her but still, I never thought I'd be so excited or so interested in someone else's poop.
7. Want to know where I came from.
Then: I was always told my heritage was Italian and English. Then it changed to Italian, English and Irish. Ok, fine by me.
Now: There was a 14-day free trial of ancestry.com and I couldn't resist. For a while now I've been wanted to know how far back I could trace my family. Not only for me, but for Ella as well. I wanted her to know that she had generations before her who came from whatever country and did whatever for a living. I just suddenly felt that it was important to know her history -- and to also find our we're part Scottish.
8. Hire a Cleaning Lady.
Then: Why on earth could I not do everything under the sun, including cleaning the house thoroughly each week?
Now: Help with house cleaning, heck yes! The best bi-weekly expense ever.
9. Buy something from Amazon.com each week.
Then: Amazon.com was great for things like Christmas shopping.
Now: I'm not kidding when I say this, but I buy something from Amazon every other week, or more frequently. Their Amazon.com mom program is amazing and their subscribe and save is genius. If you are a mom/dad or parent-to-be you need to know about this.
10. Care so much about breastfeeding.
Then: When I was younger I always wondered if I would breastfeed and never really had any desire to do so.
Now: As Ella gets older and eats more solids I know the breastfeeding will come to an end in the near future. Hopefully I can make it to 12-months but we'll see how my body holds out. It was not easy and in the beginning it looked like it wasn't going to work out, but I kept with it and am still doing it today. It's an experience that I'm very proud of and I'm so glad I did it for her, and for me.
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