I don't want to write an essay. It's a list.
1. I really don't like bodily functions. I hear you have to deal with those a lot when you got kids.
2. I don't know what to do with crying babies. I love them when they're sweet and cuddly and all, but when the crying starts, my lovey relationship with said babies ends -- and baby is handed back to baby's mother.
3. I like to leave the house whenever I darn well please. Put on some flip-flops, find my keys, and find my car (which sometimes requires a walk around the block until I remember where it is parked), and off I go. No excessive bags for little me.
4. I really need good sleep. I am known to be Oscar the Grouch when I don't get it.
5. I like babies, I think. I am not sure what to do with three year olds, and I am pretty sure it would be a better idea for all involved to farm out my children once they reach pre-adolescence (believe me, people...I would know). I'll take them back once they're cool again around 14 years old.
6. I don't like messes that I didn't create.
7. I am one of the least patient people you know (maybe you didn't know that, but I promise you, I am).
As negative as that list sounded, there are some things I am looking forward to: having "culture night" every week where we learn about another country and eat its cuisine; making awesome Lego creations; making awesome Play Dough creations; picking out my kids' clothes; reading bed time stories and singing bed time songs; helping with homework and teaching them to write really good essays; fun with cotton balls, pipe cleaners, sequins, glitter, etc.; puppet shows for Dad done in the puppet show theater Matt has promised to make for me; Christmas kid-traditions (like Santa Lucia); teaching them to swim and playing in the sand in North Carolina; teaching them to read; making forts with pillows, couch cushions, and sheets; helping them to resolve disagreements without yelling or hitting; going to the firehouse for a field trip; lots of time in the park; helping them figure out what they're good at; being at dance recitals and soccer games and spelling bees so that they know their mom loves them; making cookies with them sitting on the counter snitching dough... This list isn't anything really unique, but I get giddy thinking about it.
You might be suspecting why I've been thinking all of these crazy thoughts about being a mom. It's because I'm going to become one around November 7! AAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK!
(stats: 16 weeks, feel okay, yes, i'm going back to work, starting to have a beer belly that isn't so attractive)
27 comments:
Congratulations!! I'm so excited for you guys! And at least some if not most of the things on your list are more tolerable when it's your own kid. Yeah for you!!
Alissa!!! Congratulations!! And what perfect timing now that your parents are back and can help! O that's so awesome! So in 4 weeks will you find out what it is? Or let it be a surprise? Are you planning on working still after the baby comes or staying at home? Don't be scared... you will be surprised how much your motherly instinct kicks in:)
Hurray!! I am so excited for you! You are going to be such a great mom!! Patients and sleep come... eventually.
All of those things sound so fun. I want to come! You are going to be awesome, and you will be surprised when your motherhood sixth sense kicks in and you know just how to care for your crying infant! I can't wait!
Babies...can't live with them, can't live without them. Congrats!
congrats!! i hope to see you when you come here to utah. you'll be a fantastic mom and I don't like all those things you listed either but once you have this cute amazing little creation staring at you and loving you, you'll bend over backwards for them.
Janelle
yay, yay, and yay! i'm still calling you, i promise. you are going to be a great mom, aliss. and, you know i can help you figure out all that stuff you might be scared about being a mom. (or try...)
CONGRATULATIONS!
As far as not knowing what to do with babies and three year olds, don't worry. That knowledge doesn't come quickly, but it comes without really trying.
Everything else? Chalk it up to the sacrifices of being a Mama.
YOU'LL BE FABULOUS.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am scared too... due dec. 6th. hope all is well and you are over the worst.... enjoy.... and good luck.. ha ha ha
Congratulation, we are so excited for you and Matt!
The best advice I can give is to be positive (even when you want to cry) and try as much as you can to enjoy them each day. Time passes too quickly and soon instead of that sweet little new born cry, it will be a five year old going off to school.
Like others have said before me, you will be a fabulous Mom and your instincts will kick in, don't worry.
Your own baby/child is _so_ much different than dealing with other people's kids. You'll come to find that although you may not be able to stand other people's three year olds, you might like your own just fine. :)
Also, (as long as I am writing a novel) you might find that it is not that bad to just "get out and go" whenever you want- especially with your first. But I am very much into minimalist mothering. You don't need to take the whole house with you every time you step out the door. I am suprised how little I take with me, if I am not going on a long trip.
Ok- I am down off my mommy soap box now. I am soo happy for you and this new little baby! Good luck!!
Your list is funny, Lis, especially to someone like me who SPECIALIZES in cleaning up bodily functions. I have to tell you I don't really like kids in general, although I do make exceptions, and I really like mine quite a lot, even the pain in the rear three year old who creates all the bodily function messes. Heck, I even love them, and I don't mind cleaning up the messes (as long as they are accidental and not caused by, say, standing on a very tall stool and trying to pee into the toilet). You will be great.
Congratulations! I can't wait to see pictures of this little one of yours this fall and watch you fall hopelessly in love with him or her. :)
Congratulations to you!!! If your baby is a week or so early, ours can be "twins!" :) I went to the hospital to meet new baby Joshua Martin today, and I think I fell in love. Happy days. Are you guys staying in Chicago?
Hoorrrraaaaayyyyyy! Woohoo! Yeah! Yippeeeeeeee! Ok, I'm really excited for you. Love the list, especially the NC beach part. I just got back. LOVED IT. (And made a vow to take my kids there- jinx.)
YAY!!!
Big congrats! I'm coming to see your pregnant belly the weekend of July 24th. So, prepare!
You need to add teaching your child "Jubilation T. Cornpone"... or "Go, Go, Joseph!" to your list!
CONGRATS! I am thrilled for you (and nervous too..) I second that list.
Hugs from Alyssa with a "Y"
Congratulations! You'll do a wonderful job. Like you I'm wasn't too excited about older kids (still not), but somehow it's different with your own kid--thank goodness.
Congratulations, Alissa! I actually had most of the same things as you did on my pre-baby list and I still feel the same way about some of them now even after having two with a third on the way. So, I'm not going to tell you that those feelings will go away, but I have found that the sweet moments with your kids help make up for the things you miss. I'm so happy for you both! Just get lots of good parenting books and start reading them now before you're so tired you can't keep your eyes open to read them!
Congratulations Alissa! I'm so excited for you. I second everything that Hannah wrote... I was going to write the same thing, but she beat me to it. hugs,
Ohhh! Congrats!!! I'm so excited for you two!
You'll be a great mom! Don't worry yourself. Though I'll confess I have my scares,too. Good luck and congratulations!
Congratulations! You'll be a great mom. Can't wait to hear if it's a boy or girl!
Yay! I'm so excited for you!!
There's this phase at the beginning where I have no idea what to do with the crying baby. It happened both times. A crying toddler is a lot easier. :) And lucky for moms everywhere, they don't come out as toddlers, so you just kind of get used to it as you go.
I think you are being a typical new mommy. You will find that all those questions you have and worries will all go away once you hold that little one in your arms. I find it amazing how we are given the gifts to take care of these little ones that Heavenly Father has trusted us with. You and Matt will be great parents. You will have to adjust your life a lot but it is worth it and one piece of advise I can give you is get into a routine and it makes it all a whole lot easier! Good luck and we can't wait to hear more about your new adventure!
YEAH!!! Congrats guys! I remember last summer we went to brunch with some girls and you asked about how I felt about being a mom. I still don't have anything profound to say, but I've realized that it changes from day to day. I think being a mother allow me to create a better me by focusing more on someone else's needs than my petty concerns. You're going to be an amazing mom! Can't wait for mommy advice from you! We sure miss you guys! Thank heavens for internet!
congratulations and so exciting! i loved your list of things to look forward to...i think you'll find the real list is even longer. you're going to be a great mom.
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