I never realized how different things would be once I had a kid. Everyone talks about it, but I never really believed it, I guess, until I started thinking about what life was like before we had Levi. These are the little things I have come to learn:
1) First and foremost, my sleep schedule is not my own. I love sleep. I really do. And I cannot tell you how crazy it is to wake up one, two, or three times a night, and then have to get up when he does in the morning. Yes, this has definitely taken a toll on me. Not getting a full nights' rest for well over a year (I definitely woke up lots before we had Levi, it was a bladder thing!) has gotten to me. I used to be a light sleeper; now if I go to sleep before Chris, there is really no chance I will hear him come in!
2) Having a child means that one is no longer inconspicuous. Whether it is Target, Trader Joes, the airport, people notice you because of your child. I just got back from Sams, and I got at least five "how cute", "he's precious" and "how old is he?" Yes, my days of discreet shopping are surely over.
3) Cleaning the house becomes one of those jobs that is truely never over (maybe just more so than it was before). This morning, I spent a hour sweeping and mopping, and then organizing bills, bank statements, etc. After accomplishing so much in my kitchen and dining room, I went to the rest of my house and realized there are toys all over the living room and Levi's room, as well as just a sort of disarray in other parts of the house. Before, I would have said I would get it all clean. Now, I just simply do a few things and hope it doesn't destroy itself in the coming hours.
4) Chris and I used to go out a lot, whether it was to a show or a movie. I was thinking back, and I don't even remember the last show I saw. I think it was Blink 182, who came when I was pregnant with Levi. It was at the Journal Pavillion, so I decided it wouldn't be too loud to go with lil' dude in my tummy!
Back before Levi, Chris and I probably used to see one or two movies a month, and now I am pretty sure I have seen 2 or 3 movies all year (Avatar, Iron Man 2, and Inception).
While things have changed, I would not trade my lil' Levi for anything. Now we may do things differently (like pizza and movie Date Nights on Fridays--in the house, but I look forward to it every week!) but I absolutely love having our little guy around. Watching him learn and grow and turn into this awesome little person is one of the coolest things ever. Definitely scary, considering the way we raise him determines how he will be, but what a blessing to have the opportunity!
Happy Monday!
