After celebrating Mother's Day, I reflected on how motherhood has changed me for the better, and I also looked back on the other little things which have changed for me over the last three plus years. Some of these changes are minor and superficial, I'm disappointed to admit, and others are so comical that I think other mothers who have gone before me chose not to share these life altering events because some you just have to experience for yourself.
I don't know about other moms, but I remember during my pregnancy with Braedan all I imagined was visions of holding my angelic, cooing baby boy and me looking as fantastic as I possibly could, hair and make up done all the time, of course. I like to refer to this mental block as Neverland, as in for example, I never thought I would be ok with going a whole day without a shower. Normally I would be disappointed, while simultaneously disgusted with myself, but other stay at home moms have confirmed this truth so I'm not alone in my misery, let alone filth, on those rare days. When you spend all day with two kids under the age of five, some things are more pressing than personal hygiene.
Another major never, I never imagined not being able to go to the bathroom alone, and now having had Kylie I've probably got another four years to go before that can ever happen again. The hubby mentioned to me once that he doesn't have that problem and that I should just lock the door. Well news flash, don't you think I've tried that only to have one freaked out kid who vigorously pounds on the door as if the big bad wolf is after him and his only safe escape is to join mommy in the bathroom. Now that Braedan is older I do get more alone time and I can actually shut the door. But it never fails, I still have my bathroom buddy check in on me at least once a day even after I have announced I am going there. His roll call procedure consists of him running to the door and asking, "Mommy, what are you doing?" Like I said, once Kylie becomes mobile and aware of all the "fun" to be had in there, I just know she'll be joining me too.
Before becoming a mom I never thought I may have to face the reality of never wearing heels again. And for a self professed girly girl this one is hard to come to terms with still after almost four years. I know I would look ridiculous chasing Braedan or Kylie around at a play date in heels, but I think part of what makes this one hard to swallow is that it emphasizes the fact that I'm just getting older. I say this because when I do get the chance to dress up and be kid free, my first thought when it comes to shoes is which wedge heels do I have that will go with my chosen outfit. But who knows, maybe my heel wheeling days aren't over just yet, and all I need is a little practice to get me back into my old ways. No pun intended.
One final and MAJOR change for me, before becoming a mom I never thought I'd conquer such culinary feats as I have. I've gone from loathing the whole cooking process to actually enjoying it, becoming excited about any new recipes I find and actually thinking the word "fun" about some of them. I've even baked and baked until I don't want to see a mixer for a few months and I've even gone as far as baking my own donuts. Crazy, I know. And recently, I cooked a meal that any preschooler would fall in love with but some of the best known chefs in the world might turn up their noses at the way I put my own twist on pasta, but nothing says love like putting a little hot dog with your spaghetti.
Unfortunately I can't take credit for coming up with this idea as I got it from one of the hubby's co-workers. Nothing screams, "I'M A MOM," more than this. You can bet I never would have imagined going to this great length to make a meal fun, but I never want to let these two down. Even if on somedays I may have to do it without a shower.