Tonight as I climb in to bed my feet are aching, I look down and realize that I never changed out of my pajamas, and I can’t help but let out a few laughs thinking about all the unexpected antics that Luke was up to this weekend. Luke was definitely having one of his “I’m ALL boy, I’m a curious toddler and I’m going to test the limits” weekends. This meant that every minute I didn’t know what he would come up with to entertain himself!
Each and every day I am struck with how much motherhood surprises me. It still seems like those infant days were just a couple weeks ago. As I sit here under the covers I thought I’d share some of the things about being a parent that have surprised me the most. All of these moments (happy, exhausting, icky, and more) are all moments that have been cherished. Each of them have made me a better person and mother.
1. I had no clue how much of my life and conversations would be focused around poop (or other similar icky topics such as vomit, snot/boogers, diaper rash, etc). Side note, I learned really quickly that you don’t mess with diaper rash! I keep a stock of Dr. Smith’s Diaper Ointment on hand at all times. If your baby’s little bum shows the slightest bit of redness slather it on! Best yet, Dr. Smith’s is based here in my home town, San Antonio AND you can find it nationwide at Walgreens! Just click here to find a retailer near you!
2. I couldn’t even fathom the depth that love could go. As soon as I held Luke in my arms I was knocked out of the water by my immediate love of him.
3. Being a parent is the biggest guessing game ever! Each day I’m constantly questioning if I’m making the right decisions.
4. Breastfeeding is INCREDIBLY hard. You’d think something that is supposed to be so natural would actually come NATURALLY!
5. Things that freaked me out at first I totally got over. For example, don’t eat that food that’s lying on the floor.
6. Everyone says how fast they grow up…well it’s true! It happens at light speed and you’d do anything to slow it down.
7. I probably sound like a crazy parrot most of the time. I’m constantly jabbering to Luke, naming everything and then repeating it over and over again.
8. You’ll need a major patience reserve. Particularly when your child discovers the toilet and likes to put EVERYTHING in it!
9. You will become obsessed with your child. It will be all you think about and talk about.
10. How life looks completely different through the eyes of a mother.
And now it’s time for a GIVEAWAY courtesy of Dr. Smith’s Diaper Ointment! Enter for a chance to win a $50 gift card to Walgreens!
This is my sTORI being written as you read. – Love, Mommy Tori
Disclaimer: I received compensation and product for this post from Dr. Smith’s Diaper Ointment. All opinions expressed here are my own.
My must have is sun screen.
Wipies and sunscreen
Hand sanitizer!
my sunglasses
Lip balm
hand lotion
I always need my hand lotion.
I always carry my lip balm.
I love me some lip balm too!! I just found this awesome organic brand called Celadon Road!
Itzy Ritzy bags full of snacks for the little one.
Snacks are a must!!
Well, I totally agree about the poop! I am an Aunt, and I helped out for a year with my neice and nephews and I was the one that got the bag together most of the time. Wipes was the biggest must have!
You must be the BEST AUNT EVER!! How nice of you to help out!! I’m sure mom was very appreciative and those babies will love you forever!
Hand sanitizer & Chapstick
Chapstick is my #1.
Sunscreen. Our family burns too easily!
Chapstick!Major must
I always need my phone with me.
lots of wipes
The biggest thing for me about being a mom is the time it takes. I have learned to be patient if anything – it really makes you put them first.
The question I’m seeing is what surprised you about being a parent. That they were not the angels I imagined they’d be!
The biggest surprise is how quickly they grow!
I have become surprised at how easily I can fall asleep next to a dreaming toddler and not feel guilty about it. Even a busy mom needs a nap sometimes!
I always say there is nothing like sleeping next to your baby!
Babies are extremely delicate and can get sick very easily
how unselfish it makes you
Well considering not everyone is able to have children, I find this question kinda not right. After miscarriages upon miscarriages, I want to cry 🙁 Thanks for the reminder. I’m sorry, but questions like this really irritate me.
Mya, you can read whatever blogs you want to. This one is about MOTHERHOOD. Why would you make the author feel bad about writing on the subject HER BLOG IS BASED ON??
Hi Mya – I’m so terribly sorry for all that you’ve gone through. It truly breaks my heart. I’m going to say an extra prayer for you tonight. I know that can offer little to no comfort but sometimes it feels good to know that someone else is praying for you too. Even if it is a stranger.
That being a parent is the hardest job I will ever have to do.
I was surprised at how easy the change was to being a parent.
I think the thing that surprised me the most is how everyone knew more than I did about parenting. 🙂 Thank you.
how you get used to no sleep! 🙂
That your kids can be well behaved at home and devils in summer camp.
How much I feel protective of my kids.
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That’s a must in every diaper bag.
What surprised me the most when I had my children was that along with all the love you have for them and are now your world, also came so much worry and fear something could happen to them. I hurt as much as they did or probably more when they got a bump, bruise or anything else.
Not a momma quite yet, we are expecting our first any day now…but I am surprised at how EXHAUSTED I am. I know this is just the beginning!
Congratulations!! That is SO exciting!! I wish you the very best on a very healthy and quick delivery!
the thing that surprised me the most was the all encompassing love that hits you the minute you see your baby.
That they will eat tuna fish at friends homes, but not ours!
i was surprised by how you’ll do for your l’il princess even if it’s not what your used to doing growing up as a boy/man
The love I felt.
I was surprised at how quickly my priorities in life changed
The all consuming love even though I am not a parent but I have nieces and nephews that I help my siblings with.
I was the parent for a nephew at preschool where there had to be a Parents and my sister could not go as she had other young children one with a heart health issue.
My biggest surprise in parenting has been the weird reflexes I suddenly acquired…like the one where I automatically put my hands out in front of their mouths when they’re vomiting somewhere where there is no toilet or sink readily available.
the amount of love that one can feel
how little sleep your really get!!!
Oh how true!!! I was a walking zombie for the first 3 months!
I was surprised about how much negativity can come from others. The pushy preachy kind that try to change women to parent their way, the way they think is correct. You never see how deep it is until your little one is here.
How much love I can feel
My baby’s first birthday is next month I could definitely use this!!!!!
i am currently 26 weeks pregnant and shocked how exhausted i am and how many naps i take.
Even though everyone said they grow so fast it was still a surprise when you are actually experiencing it!
I was surprised at how I really would get odd cravings!
I gotta have my iphone
My thought process changed. My child taught me how to really love unconditionally.
Being a mom of 4 boys, I never expected to smile so much. To laugh so much, and to love so much 🙂
Wow! 4 Boys! What an incredible blessing! I bet you are one busy mommy!
That kids can make the same faces you can and use it against you…especially when they are 2!
The biggest thing I have learned is to trust the Lord and don’t worry so much when the kids are getting older in their teen years.
Amen to that!
Luke sure is a doll baby.
Thank you!! He’s a sweet boy!
keep hand sanatizer
the lack of sleep.
what surprised me about being a parent is that I could love another person so deeply and completely and manage to do that 3 times. My children are older but I love them just as much as when they were little. They are part of me and will always be!
My wife is pregnant with our first now and she says the thing that surprised her most was the positive pregnancy test. I knew she was pregnant before the positive result though.
How did you know?! You are such a sweet hubby to enter her! Thank you for stopping by!
How expensive everything is!
that motherhood is the hardest but most rewarding job you wlll ever do in life
The biggest surprise was seeing so much of myself in him as he was growing up.
What surprised me the most was becoming pregnant after trying so long! Almost 4 months along now. 🙂
What a joyous celebration!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I was surprised by how utterly and completely my life changed by being a parent.
I was surprised by how difficult it was to get used to the little amount of sleep you have as a nursing mother and that overtime, your body adjusts to this small amount of sleep.
I was surprised that I never stop worrying about my kids safety!
I was surprised that the hospital just let me go home without any real training or information on how to care for a newborn.
I was really surprised when I needed to have an emergency c-section with my first child. The thought of a c-section had barely entered my mind prior to that.
I had to have a c-section as well. I actually found it to be super easy though!
I was surprised at always being so hungry – thank you.
How I am always thinking of more than myself
vmkids3 at msn dotcom
I am surprised how fast time goes
The time commitment for kids.
The thing that suprised me the most is how fast it all goes one day I wished they could, talk, walk, etc now I wish I could go back and slow it all down it goes by way to fast and then it is gone!!
The amount of love you feel!!
How much time it takes – you cannot be selfish!
I was suprised that breastfeeding came so easily for me and my babies. I breastfed both of my children for a year and while it was a definite time commitment I really enjoyed it.
think the hardest thing is lack of sleep
All so true. I am way past the toddler stage of my children growing up – my eldest are in college! However, when I look at them I see them as toddlers, kindergartners, awkward preadolescences and a baby in my arms all at once. It’s a sweet sweet feeling.
I’m not a parent yet so I haven’t had any surprises.
I was surprised at everything. Life is an incredible thing
I didn’t know half of what I thought I knew by reading all of the books and magazines!
I didn’t know half of what I thought I knew by reading the books and magazines!
The bond I have with my children surprised me the most.
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
How much I would love my children so much right from the start. Instant bond.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
what surprised me the most is the utter dependency our daughter has on me (it’s also a little frightening)
ONE thing? Smile..
The thing that surprised me the most is how much love there is.
How much more difficult the toddler years are versus the infant time!
The absolute individuality each child has. They come into the world with their own temperament.
Being able to love a second child as much as the first. I thought there was no way I could love someone else as much as I loved my first daughter. When my second daughter came, the love came with her. Thank you!
As a grandparent the thing that has surprised me the most is how quickly they learn things and their take on the things they see.
I was surprised at how crippling sleep deprivation could be. I had no idea what I was in for.
I was surprised by an explosive poop my son once had when he was about a month old that literally reached the opposite wall of the nursery. My husband and I were shocked and then we just started laughing!
My biggest surprise about becoming a parent is how much my parenting style changed over the years! There are definitely things I would change if there was a redo button!!
I no longer carry small bags, always big bags with lots of wipes inside.
The thing that surprised me the most about being a parent is the instant bond and protectiveness you get the minute you see them. As an adoptive mom I was concerned about the bonding period and found I had nothing to worry about.
What a tough job it was when my daughter turned 14…
I’m Still Surprised On How Fast The Kids Grow!
the incredibly amount you love him/her no matter what!
About how will full a child can be. If they don’t want to do something they won’t do it. It seems like no matter what.
I’m not a parent of a human child, is that okay? I am a first time dog owner of a little 9lb Morkie who IS my baby. I surprised me how much I could love a dog especially since I was a past dog hater.
I had a lot of experience babysitting before so I thought being a parent would be like a 24 hour babysitter but I’m so glad that it’s so much more than that! I love investing my whole heart into my daughter and I love that she’s given her whole heart to me!
That you turn into your own mom.
the love you have even before giving birth
the biggest thing for me is even when they r grown up they never lose their love for the family home and I think its great!!
My big surprise was how much I wanted everything….everything!…for him. Every single advantage. More than I’ve ever wanted things for myself.
I was so surprised (and still am) of how selfless I’ve become since the birth of my son. Who knew!??
The most surprising thing to me is how hard but worth it being a parent would be.
What surprised me most was how much I instantly loved my little one when they were born. That love is unlike any other!
How much I fell in love with my daughter!
How smart kids are;)
How little sleep you really can get by on.
the bond that is formed right away. everyone always says it, but until you actually experience it, that is when you understand it!
I am not a parent yet and am not expecting. But being a nanny, it surprised me how much of a personality a child can get so quickly!
I am not expecting but I’ve heard many women say they loved being pregnant – they felt very confident!
The most surprising thing to me was/is that children suck the life out of you! .. mentally and physically! Every minute, every day. You never “turn off” being a mom. Even at 18, my son is always forefront in my mind. Of course it’s incredibly rewarding; the most important and under-rated job!
How much patience you really need
The ability to remain calm during tantrums.
How little sleep I can function on
How the worrying never ever ends.
The biggest surprise is the amount of sleep that is lost.
Sunscreen
How hard it is! You can read all the manuals, blogs, and books, but its still the hardest thing–raising kids in today’s tough and trying times!
how you wory about everything or are afraid for everything they do
i love how much joy i’ve been given by being a parent
That not everyone can prepare you for how they may turn out. We recently found out my two year old has sensory processing disorder.
I was surprised at how extremely exhausted I was after having my first son! Then, VERY surprised at how great I felt after having my second! It really is different every time. 🙂
I am surprised everyday, watching my children grow into what seems to be decent human beings is amazing, and I’m at awe that it seems I am doing something right.
That babies are not the worst. lol. I thought when my son was a baby that it was horrible all of the sleepless nights, etc. then he became a toddler.
It’s surprising how exhausting it is! But, it’s also surprising how much you love your children. I never even knew I had that much love to give. They are such a joy and so much fun! 🙂 It also surprises me how much my 2 year old picks up. He knows exactly how to make his 7 year old sister mad! LOL!! 🙂
I am not a parent but I am a proud auntie! I think the thing that surprised me the most about getting to know my niece was how much a 2 year old could make me laugh.She is one funny kid!
The (sad) thing that surprised me the most is how fast they grow up. I still think of my kids as young, but my son graduated this year *sniff* and my daughter 14 *aarrgh* lol, I also thought they would get along-ha!!! P.S. everyone-take LOTS of pictures, I have certain times I wish I had taken more.
The thing that surprised me most was how independent my babies wanted to be. I loved how they each had their own personality!
When I was pregnant, I was so surprised at how much I still managed to get done each day.
Boys are more loyal than girls.
Lack of sleep
The first kick I felt when I was pregnant was amazing! Craziest and best feeling, ever!
How much I like being pregnant
How much fun it can be!
I’m most surprised by how quickly they’ve grown!
Parenthood changes your entire perspective on things. For example, I love raspberries so much that I planted a bush in our garden. It turns out my toddler loves them too. Now I save all the berries for him- I’ve only had a few all season!
not expecting
How much you feel overwhelmed, but happy and excited you get! And the baby isn’t even here yet!
I’m surprised by how gross my kids can be.
I learned that I thought I knew much more than I really did before having kids. I read so many books to be prepared but realized you just have to figure some things out as you go.
The biggest surprise of becoming a step mom was realizing how suddenly you have to think of someone who really needs you before anything else!
My kids are teens now. It was surprising to me that parenting teens is sometimes harder than when they are little babies.
I was surprised how easy it was. All you have to do is listen to your child and it all works out.
need my hand lotion.
I didnt know how much I could do on three hours sleep!!
Total acceptance of me by my children
I was surprised by how fast they grow and change! So glad to have lots of pictures!
I was surprised by how little sleep I got after the babies came.
cravings so much
Actually I choose not to have any children. However my sister has two and I went through the first pregnancy with her, from the moment she found out she was pregnant through labour and the birth. I guess the thing that surprised me was how little weight she put on even though she was perfectly healthy throughout. That and it was about 6 1/2 months before you could even tell she was pregnant though she’s very petite.
I just love kids, so cute.
That you will love that child no matter what, and more then life itself…
Kids grow up so fast!
How much you never knew how much your parents loved you until you experience that same love for your child!
must have sanitizer
How hard it is!
How much love I feel for my kid.
The one thing that surprises me is how fast they grow, take pictures, make memories every year of your life, for one day that independent soul you shaped into an adult will fly the nest. On a lighter note, from the time you get pregnant, it seems like you never get caught up on sleep, no matter how hard you try, but it’s worth it!
We have two toddlers, 17 months apart (and that is the age of the youngest right now). I feel like we had twins. It definitely surprised me and put us off on having a third for at least 4 years!
no kids yet but my nephew is the joy of my life. not even blood related and i couldnt love him more if i tried.
How drastically my life would change. It is no longer about me!
how he slept threw the night at 20 months old
Everything is a surprise!
I was really surprised at how naturally some of it came.
I am surprised how protective I am of my kids.
The thing that surprised me most about being a parent is how much patience you must have.
How another’s well being could become the most important thing in the world.
What surprised me the most was not knowing that I could love any one as much as I do my children.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I am surprised at how different two kids can be who were raised together in the same family!
How smart they are
How I could possibly be so exhausted, but have my heart so full all the time.
every day is a new surprise as he grows and learns
I was surprised by the awe that I felt. People always say there is no love like you have for your child but to feel it is amazing.
I dont have kids yet. However, the thing that surprised me the most with my niece was how smart she is, even from the very beginning.
How much I don’t miss going back to work.
definitely how tired i was!
I do love dr smiths. We learned about this miracle butt balm when our second was in the hospital and the pedi suggested it to us. LOVE IT! That same lil one is now almost 15 and a baseball catcher and still uses dr smiths – we just call it butt cream here – when he gets rashes from all his gear!
How much fun it is (while it’s so much work, at the same time!)
I am surprised by everything and two kids down, I still am surprised daily. So…to pick one thing, and I don’t want to go serious or I might cry, I am surprised by how many times a day I have to say “stop licking that”
Thanks
what a mess they make- haha! I thought 3 dogs was bad
How happy I am to come home every day to them
How much of an individual they each are. Nothing alike.
You always hear about the lack of sleep in the first few months, but I was surprised at how little I actually got.
I’m not a parent – yet! What surprised me the most was how hard it is to get pregnant!
I was surprised on how many times a baby could wake up in the middle of the night.
i was surprised on how fast they grow
How quickly the time goes by from middle school to high school.
The biggest surprises for me were how quickly the babies grow, how different each one is at such a young age, and how incredibly messy they are!
The thing that surprised me the most is how well their radar is trained. They know instantly when I’m in the bathroom! They rush their instantly sticking their fingers under the door and hollering for me!
The biggest thing that surprised me about being a parent is the time investment. I knew that kids took a lot of attention, but I didn’t realize how much it would be.
how much i really would LOVE him
Biggest surprise to me was how much time and effort it took to monitor them constantly
brich22 at earthlink dot net
Before I was a parent I wasn’t a patient person. After I had my first child I became more patient which surprised me.
I was surprised at just how much my heart hurts when I’m away from my kids.
The most surprising thing is that my kids are so different from me and such unique individuals. It’s like neither genetics or the environment had a lot of impact. It’s mostly a good thing – they can both be very creative – but hard to get my arms around at times – because they are both very stubborn also.
that the bond could be so instantaneous!
rafflecopter: daniel
How much my feet swelled up!
The thing that surprised me the most was that I wanted another. 🙂
they’re always getting into something
all the sleep I’ve lost
What surprised me most about being a parent was how I immediately felt an immense love and strong bond with each of my children.
I am still surprised by things after 12 years of parenting.
How completely different each child can be from another.
What surprised me was how hard it is as opposed to just babystting
I never thought i would be so tired
Chapstick
I’m surprised at how much more meaningful seemingly mundane things are.