We all know about the sleep deprivation, random bouts of crying (from both the children and adults), change in friendships, and general lifestyle overhaul. Even with hearing about this from hundreds of people, it doesn't actually prepare you for what it's like to become a parent.
I expected some huge feeling of change. I was a mom, I was supposed to feel like a mom. The truth is, I still feel like me. A very tired, fuzzy brained me, but still me.
Sure, I struggle with finding balance, just like most parents do. Of course I have bad days where I wish I could have my old life back. Overall though, it's pretty ok.
I never actually planned on being a mom. I was never against it, but I wasn't one of those girls planning out her wedding and choosing baby names from a young age. Even when we decided that getting pregnant would be ok, we weren't actively trying to get pregnant, we just weren't trying not to anymore.
Now that she's here and she is more than just the tiny blob of human that they are for the first four months, she's pretty cool to be around. The way she stares at each new object, trying to unlock its secrets, is fascinating. How her babbling changes from day to day, incorporating new sounds and volumes, is amazing to listen to. When her face lights up as I enter the room melts my heart. If she doesn't want to sleep and I am forced to snuggle up with her in my bed until we both fall asleep is heavenly.
We also have a very easy going little girl. She isn't afraid of strangers, she will entertain herself for long periods of time, and only cries when she really needs something. Would it be different for me if she was really colicky? If she wasn't such a good sleeper? Maybe. And maybe I was given exactly what I can handle.
I do want to state that this is not an attempt to convince other people to have a baby. If you're on the fence, however, and willing to let nature take it's course, you might like the outcome. I certainly do.
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