Thursday, 1 May 2014

30 Lessons from My Second Year of Motherhood


Today is Sebastian's second birthday. Happy Birthday little man! How the heck did this happen? It's a total cliché, but it's true that I can remember so clearly the day he was born like it was yesterday. If I think about it for any amount of time, my eyes well up with tears. I can still hear the sound of his heartbeat during our OB visits. I can picture Rob and I walking Sebastian out of the hospital in his little car seat. I remember the very first day I had to take care of him by myself after Rob went back to work and my mom had gone back home. I remember feeling so overwhelmed that I didn't know which way was up, but still feeling so much love for our son.

It's so amazing how much my life has changed in 2 years. And it's amazing how our whole family has also changed in just one year. The first birthday is still baby-esque. We now have a walking, talking, opinionated, iPad-obsessed toddler in our house.

I was trying to figure out how to explain my feelings about Sebastian's second birthday on the blog, and I came across this post from Cloudy with a Chance of Wine. So this is it. Here are the lessons I've learned in the second year of motherhood.

1. It gets easier.

2. I don't think our floor will ever be clean again.

3. Not all daycares are created equal, and fancy is not better. A shiny, new Montessori daycare right around the corner from your house will not necessarily be the best fit for your child.

4. Netflix might be the best $8 we spend each month.

5. I can't do everything, and I have to stop trying... so I hired a cleaning lady.

6. Toddlers usually sleep through the night, and now there is a part of me that misses the middle of the night quiet feeds.

7. Getting dinner on the table every night is a mini-miracle.

8.  There are some pre-pregnancy jeans I am just not going to fit into again.

9.  Holidays with a toddler really are way more fun.

10.  I don't know what I'd do without online shopping.

11.  Getting a toddler dressed in the winter is even worse than getting a baby dressed in winter.

12.  When I happen to have time to myself, going for a walk around Chapters with a latte is my most favourite thing to do.

13. During the second year, you really get to meet your little person. What does he like? Not like? What makes him laugh until he gasps for air?

14. Creating a monthly date night is essential. Couple dates are fun, but it is also important that some of these date nights are actually just the two of you spending time alone together.

15. There is always a frozen pizza in our freezer.

16.  Melissa and Doug make the best toys.

17. An unplanned stay in a hotel room during an ice storm is zero fun.

18. Fridays are not the beginning of 2 days off.

19. Tieks are the most perfect mom-friendly shoe.

20. Even if I only go for toothpaste, it's nearly impossible to leave Target without spending at least $100.

21. The terrible twos actually start before your toddler is technically 2.

22. When a toddler squeals with happiness, it's the best. thing. ever.

23.  I'll use the iPad to babysit my child while I make dinner more often than I would like to admit.

24. ...because no matter what toys we have for Sebastian, 9 times out of 10, the only thing he wants to play with is the iPad.

25. Going back to work isn't as scary as it seems.

26. Just because Sebastian ate applesauce for snack yesterday, doesn't mean he'll want to eat applesauce again, ever.

27. Staying inside all day is not an option.

28. It takes a long time for those little words to start coming out.

29. Being the mama of a little boy is sooooooo much fun. I can totally get into superheroes and dinosaurs.

30. If I stop and think about how fast he's growing up and how much I love his wet, open-mouthed kisses, it makes me cry.

xo
Jenn

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