Thursday, April 3, 2008

Thursday Thirteen: What I've Learned



The late edition . . .

On August 10, 2007 I became a parent. Before that, I thought I had finally figured myself out (you parents out there are chuckling, aren't you?). Well, apparently, parenthood adds a whole other dimension to who you are and what you are all about. Well, here's what I've learned about myself in the last 7 or so months.

1. I'm no longer a planner. I used to plan everything (I had quite a few wretched To Do lists hanging around). I found out that you can't plan a leaky diaper, a upset tummy (resulting in spit up or previous leaky diaper), a total melt down. Babies, oddly enough, do do To Do lists. Nope. So, now. Neither do I. (Secretly, I'm SOOOO OK with that.)

2. I like flannel. My PJs are flannel. I lived in my PJs pretty much from the day J was born. They are quite functional. I have one with stars all over it that totally camouflages spit-up. They are soft enough so J can lay his head in my lap while I slurp my yogurt and watch Good Morning America. Functional flannel works for me and simply put, showering is a luxury that I can't always afford. Bummer . . . (Yes, that is me on the right--in my flannel).

3. Mess and chaos are totally OK with me. Remember this post? I used to be all about clutter free rooms. Now, we live in a slightly smaller version of Toys R Us (yes! Law Student Hot Mama--it DOES look like Toys R Us threw up . . . more than once!). And, why bother picking it all up? It just looks that way again in 10 minutes or less. BTW--I checked out this video again and clearly I was still in my clutter free mode. It seldom is THAT neat.

4. I have leaky eyes. ALL THE TIME. TV shows. Movies. Commercials. Magazine Ads. You name it, my eyes leak. Call it hormones. Call me a mush. It is what it is. Now pass me a tissue.

5. I am a diaper expert. I look at style (though, does baby really care whether it is Pooh or Micky on his diaper--I think NOT). I search for the best value (and am a mad coupon clipper). I examine baby physics in order to determine the most ergonomic fit for baby. I continually test for absobancy (both directly and indirectly by the amount of unabsorbed fluid on baby's clothes/mommy's PJs and in the bed).

6. I am a baby food connoisseur. I have clearly learned that nothing, and I mean nothing, beats sweet potatoes. (Though Law Student Hot Mama has some promising things to say about Turkey . . . ).

7. I am ingenious when it comes to making up animal noises. Did you know that a giraffe makes noises? Yeah, it does. At least J thinks it does. You see, when singing Old McDonald over and over again is the only way to calm a crying baby in the middle of meltdown, you might start with a cow, sheep, and a pig, but you end up with a giraffe, a dinosaur, and a blow fish. (RJTrue--I haven't given up on the tractor. And it totally sounds different the same, really as the dinosaur).

8. My bed time is now 8 PM. I mean 12 AM. Oh, I mean 3 AM. Um, maybe more like 5 AM . . . I don't use an alarm clock any more . . . why bother. I have a built in one now.

9. My body is no longer mine alone. Specifically two parts. Which, when they are returned to me will never, ever be the same. I've learned to accept this. *sniff* Um, no pictures here.

10. My tastes have changed. I used to be into classic literature. Now, I am into classic nursery rhymes. I used to think George Clooney was pretty hot. Now I think Curious George is pretty cute. I used to rock out to funky classic rock and funky 80's tunes . Now I rock out to Veggie Tales' The Hairbrush Song.

11. I get excited about TOYS. I mean really, really excited. I could peruse the aisles of Toys R Us for hours. I used to get that way at bookstores and office supply stores (a weird addiction, I know), and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Now, it is all about the TOYS. Ooooohhhh . . Toys. (From the picture on the right, I clearly have a problem . . . yes, I bought these. All of them . . . the same day. I, the one who said I would never fall for buying all that "junk." I would stimulate my child naturally. Yeah, whatever.)

12. I look at the world in a completely different way. I am protective of all those who are innocent. I feel deeply for those in pain (more so than ever). I am concerned about the environment, the war, the economy, and crime in ways I have never, ever been. Each day brings out the activist side of me more and more.

13. And finally, I have learned that my heart no longer beats just for me . . .



The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

57 comments:

Unknown said...

SO true, Laskigal! Each and every one of these thirteen had me nodding in agreement. Perfect post :)

Mrs. Brownstone @ XBOX Wife said...

Awww! I think this just might be the best list I've ever read! It makes me want to have another baby, and that's saying a lot for someone who was done several years ago! REALLY great list!

Kristen said...

That was a fabulous post! And you are right, your heart will never beat alone again.

Even though it is exhausting, isn't being a parent just the best thing ever??

Thanks for sharing, a wonderful heartfelt post! :-)

tulipmom said...

I loved this post. Everything you said is so true.

I just came across that Classical Stacker toy last weekend while I was looking for baby stuff in our basement. That was the first toy my father bought SB, and he just loved it!

Funny about not needing an alarm. I used to have one but didn't need it for so long, I'm not sure where it went. I actually bought one about 6 months ago since I can't ALWAYS count on SB waking me up anymore.

Sass said...

Great post. Realising there's so much more to the whole love thing is quite an adventure.

Family Adventure said...

I recognize all of these...and especially no. 13.

Heidi

KG said...

My house looks like Toys R Us threw up,too.

And I'm with you on the sweet potatos for veggies, though I'll admit I'm a sucker for the pears. They're the BOMB!

And yes, I too have resigned myself to the fact that my boobs are going to sag to my knees.

Kristi said...

Very sweet T13. It captures the changes we all feel the moment we become "moms".

Amy said...

Oh I loved this post! It's so true! And pajamas rock!

kellyo75 said...

I got my "parts" back when my daughter turned two. And you're right-never been the same. OH- and the hairbrush song?? ROCKS!! Oh where is my hairbrush?? Love it!! Great list-I love it. Got me a little leaky-eyed, too. I do agree with all of it!

RJTrue said...

Do you remember how the tractor and the the dinosaur sound quite a bit alike ... that's strange. :)

Haha. You made me tear up! I love him to pieces. Love you too!

Pregnantly Plump said...

What a great list! It's amazing how much everything changes so completely. I hated cleaning and would put it off until it couldn't be put off any longer. Now I vacuum and sweep about once a day -- of course there are usually Cheerios all over the place when I do this...

Momo Fali said...

I'm happy to know I'm not the only woman who turned into a sap the moment her first kid was born. I literally cry EVERY day. I've become a walking emotional rollercoaster!

Lindsey said...

That last picture is precious, simply precious. And ditto all those things you said. SERIOUSLY, ditto on everything!

HJ's favorite toy as of late is the empty water bottle. She loves them. I can't understand it, but she is hysterical to watch playing with her new toy.

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

The toy mess gets better in about 7 years! I quit using an alarm clock about 14 year s ago too. One of the things I did do right, was to get each of my children their own alarm clock to set when they started kindergarten.

Great post!

Lizzy in the Burbs said...

Children definitely change our lives in a million ways and make us better people in the process! Great post, Laskigal! Love the pictures, too!

Lizzy

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

This was so beautiful, touching and real. Kids sure change everything, isn't it wonderful? Love!

Kat said...

Aww, Laskigal! This was such a sweet TT! I loved it!

Anonymous said...

that last picture is so precious. love ur list!

Joanne@ Blessed... said...

Such truth and wisdom!

Momisodes said...

Oh every one of these is so true! I love your bedtime, LOL! Sweet potatoes are the best, and yes, toys r us threw up over here too...a few times :)

Pam said...

how true! I love that last picture!

Anonymous said...

Everyone of those especially the toys is true. I have truly become the craziest toy mama around. Great Post!

Danielle said...

Great post! Thanks for supporting my husband- he works for Toys R Us as an accountant. He said you bought so many things they assigned him to work on your account alone! Just Kidding. Becoming a parent truly changes you. Before having kids you think you know who you are- but really you have no idea.

Rachel Holloway said...

How fun to see a picture of you--flannel and all!! I have to say that I was there with you through your whole list...parenting is such a funny thing, and a wonderful thing, and a crazy thing! :)

And the alarm? Out the window for me--which is weird because I have always been an alarm kind of girl--up really early to get ready for the day. Now I sleep until one of the kids is up and I have NO choice. Sigh...

Love being a mom!

Amy said...

I share in these too! So great! =)

RJTrue said...

HEY!!!!!!!! CHECK OUT MY LATEST BLOG! IT'S ALLLLLL ABOUT YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OHmommy said...

Oh... you are so flipping cute.

Where in OH are you?

Angela DeRossett said...

Um, Happy Birthday by the way!

Kellan said...

Oh, that last one brought tears to my eyes!!!

It's your Birthday - Happy Birthday. I hope it is the best!!!!

Have a good weekend = Kellan

CC said...

super sweet! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Misty said...

You ARE cute, I agree.

And.... I heard it's your birthday! Whhhhhhhhooooooooooooooo!

Hugs and kisses for YOU!

KG said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Lindsey said...

#13 is so sweet:) This is a wonderful list!! I might have to try those sweet potatoes!!

NH Yocal said...

What a wonderful 13! So sweet. I love toys too. Sounds like you have a really fun place to play!

BTW, Happy birthday. Come over and see your card.

painted maypole said...

love that last picture.

mommyhood is lifechanging, that's for certain!

Lori said...

That last one was so sweet - you made me tear up!

Texasholly said...

This was so sweet. I especially loved #8.

MarĂ­a said...

I love you! I have perma-leaky eyes too!

Anonymous said...

I totally forgot it was your b-day today! This is a great post. Love the photos.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you next week. XOX

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARIES ROCK!!!!

(mine's the 14th!)

Tara R. said...

Perfect 13! Yes, to every last one. Great post.
btw... happy belated birthday. ;)

Karen MEG said...

This was a great post, takes me right back to when I became a first time mom. My fascination with toys, unfortunately, still lingers. Not good. In fact, one of the older brothers of my daughter's playdate friends loves to come over to our place because he says it IS EXACTLY like Toys R Us. And I have an aversion to housecleaning. Double not good.

Enjoy this time Laskigal, it is really, really magical. Almost enough to make me want another baby ... but this body just ain't gonna do it again!

Mom Knows Everything said...

Melinda told me it was your birthday, Happy Birthday to you!

SWC said...

Thanks for dropping in the other day. I love this TT! I can so relate since having my son 9 months ago. All those ideas, plans, habits...way out the window. There is a new sheriff in town! Oh, and I cry all the friggin' time now. I used to pride myself on being so "strong"...yeah, I am just a big pile of mush. Resistance is futile.

As Cape Cod Turns said...

Heard it might have been your birthday this weekend! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Hope it was fun!

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

We sat in the giraffe section at the Lion King show at Animal Kingdom in Disneyworld, so I DID know that the giraffe makes a noise. tee hee.

Great post and great reminders of how perspective can switch.

KEEP BELIEVING

Anonymous said...

L--Happy Birthday! Saw your sister's blog. That was really sweet of her. Hope you got the card :)

Great post. Little J is adorable.

Cynthia said...

What a sweet TT! I have leaky eye syndrome to...drives me crazy. I just eye leaked to a Reba McIntyre video...sap!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Oh these were great. I share your leaky eye syndrom - and that last shot just invoked them - what an awesome shot! You two are so lovely!

JK said...

I love this post, Laskigal. It is so true that life is not the same anymore when we become a mother but I enjoy my life as a mother as much as I enjoy my life as a single.

Sass said...

52 bits of feedback? That's quite something. In fact, your blog is quite something. That's why I've awarded you a Blog of Distinction. Enjoy.

just jamie said...

Oh, I love this post. I nodded in agreement all the way down the list.

Your little guy seems to have created a new balance in your world, the unexpected but multiplied by infinity kind of chaos and love that only a Mom knows.

(P.S. I had a dream about you last night. Don't get freaked out. I was just asking you what baby J's full name was. I hardly even know what *you* look like, so let's just say Sandra Bullock played the part of Laskigal. Funny how this blog world penetrates everywhere!)

Nissa said...

I think I agree with every one of those. Except. Bananas is the best babyfood!

And I've always been a cryer. It's not hormones, just who/how I am. :)

Anonymous said...

Laskigal this is hands down my fav post from you .. I loved every single bullet..

What a GREAT post.. and I agree Curious George is really pretty cute.. :)

KATE said...

It's amazing how someone SO small can change our lives in such a HUGE way!! I love that you're life gets turned so upside down, it's a good thing!
Love your Thursday THirteen!!

Lori said...

I can't agree more... there is nothing that makes me feel more whole than knowing the changes I've made in my own life because of my son!

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