When I first became a mom, the adjustment was hard. Looking back now (five short/long years later), I realize so many of the things I thought I’d never get used to are just part of my routine now—and that’s not a bad thing!
1. Taking three times as long as it should to do just about everything.
Especially, but not limited to, taking a walk, shopping, using the stairs, outings, reading, crafts . . .
2. Running on empty, like all the time.
This doesn’t mean that you won’t throw the occasional grown-up-tantrum when the baby wakes up for the day at 5:30 after a child had you out of bed every hour since you dared to go to bed at midnight. But you’ll make it. Not fun, but 
physically possible.
3. The cuteness of childhood, adorable as it is.
You take for granted that they’ll be that way forever. Just this week, Rebecca started saying “p’ee-p’ease” instead of “mee-mease.”
4. The present.
It’s almost as if they’ve always been this size/capable/annoying/wonderful.
5. Being needed, like all the time.
And if for some reason your kids don’t need you, somehow we find other ways to make ourselves useful. Or other people or things who need us.
6. Being dirty.
It sounds gross, but seriously, from the stages of nursing to the diapers to the mud-pie stage, you realize that a little dirt isn’t the end of the world. (And if it’s not you physically, it’s probably the kids or the house. Or all three.) Just makes you appreciate the clean even more!
7. Having these sweet strangers around.
It seems like the older they get, the more they become their own people. It’s almost as if we can’t really know them the way we did when they were our babies. But we love them and love to get to know them a little better every day.
What have you gotten used to as a mother?
6 replies on “Things you get used to as a mom”
Who is that child? Surely not your youngest
Yep, Rachel, Queen of the Mess. (Okay, she’s actually the least messy. Except at meals.)
I thought it was Hayden at first, then I realized you didn’t have that kitchen set when he was little. Amazing. I can’t wait to see them!
I had to get used to being an empty nester. And being a NANA!!
Puking. No, it’s still not fun and will never be fun, but the first time my first daughter got the barfs, my husband and I were all but fleeing for the hills, our faces green. Now, nineteen years later, I’m just worried if they have a bowl to urp in. You get hardened 🙂
Ah yes! I totally missed that one!
You only take 3x as long? That’s got to be lower than the average. I wholeheartedly agree with #2 as well. Sleep becomes a commodity more valuable than gold (even at $1200 an ounce or whatever it is now)! Great post!