Before I was a mother, I wore lip-gloss. I read novels and drank lattes. I went shopping on my own. I woke up each morning to the sound of my alarm, and took long hot showers. I got together with friends and went on dates with my husband. I traveled. I walked the dogs after dinner. I did laundry once a week. I dreamed of becoming a journalist for a big broadcaster downtown. I wore heels almost every day. I worked out with a trainer 3 times a week and stuck to a proper diet. I thought my wedding day would always be the best day of my life. I took fewer pictures. I didn’t care about our small backyard. I worked on scrapbooks for hours. I thought the Wiggles were whacked. I didn’t know Mickey Mouse had a new clubhouse. I thought I could never love a baby as much as my beagles. I drank wine. I bought clothes for myself. I didn’t own crayons. I left scissors out. I had a boring bathtub. I thought parents of newborns were totally paranoid. I had no idea how important a Diaper Genie could be. I didn’t appreciate the invention of the wipe. I bought less paper towels. I had shirts without stains. I didn’t have cookie crumbs in my purse. I thought I’d never breastfeed. I didn’t own a food processor. I didn’t know what true love was.
Then I gave birth. We named him Mateo, and my life changed. I fell in love all over again. I breastfed for 14 months. I have stains on most of my clothes. I do laundry four times a week. I have a bathtub full of fun toys. I bow to my Diaper Genie. I always have a month’s supply of paper towels in stock. There are wipes in every room of my house. I am totally paranoid. I carry cookies in my purse. I lock scissors in a drawer. I own hundreds of crayons. I buy toys and shop at Baby Gap. I make the best applesauce. I still drink wine. I love my baby just as much as my beagles (ok, maybe a bit more). I am a Wiggles fan. I can sing Mickey’s theme song. I scrapbook when I can. I go to the gym when I can. I wear flats. I work 6 minutes from home, and would give up an anchor position to spend an extra 2 hours with my son. I read storybooks and drink tea. I wake up to babbling from a monitor and take 2-minute showers. I have mommy friends. I go on dates with my husband – in our Family Room. I do bath time after dinner. I found us a new house with a bigger backyard. I take more pictures. I smile more. I have rediscovered Mac & Cheese. I make Rice Krispies Squares. I always have hand sanitizer close-by. I think the word “mama” coming out of my son’s mouth is just about the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. I found true love. And the lip-gloss? I traded it for kisses.
