Confession: I’m not a prepared parent. I pack Owen’s meals for the sitter’s about 10 minutes before I leave the house. I always forget sunscreen. Heck, the other day while shopping at Target, Owen squeezed pureed fruit from a pouch all over himself and I realized that I had absolutely nothing to wipe him off with…not a single tissue, diaper, or even a piece of trash or paper. I don’t leave the house with a stockpile of snacks and toys to keep Owen entertained. If he vomits, has a blowout or wets his pants, he has to sit in a soiled mess since I never have an extra outfit for him. I’m lucky if I remember to put his shoes on.
Based on this, as you might imagine, preparations for Baby #2 have been minimal at best. With my due date just days away, my efforts for Baby It thus far have been limited to OB visits and taking a prenatal vitamin (which I sometimes forget to do…okay, maybe often).
I’ve seen the “To Do” lists for expecting mothers: Install the car seat, make freezer meals, plan one last date night, wash everything your new baby might touch in hypoallergenic sensitive-skin formula detergent, pack your hospital bag, etc. Truthfully, I didn’t do most of these things before I had Owen. And it’s unlikely that I’ll be doing them this time. I barely find time to shower, let alone make meals that I’ll be eating weeks from now.
It’s okay though. I’ll be satisfied if I manage to unpack some of the old infant gear before It arrives. And hopefully next time I go to Target I remember to purchase a pack of newborn diapers.
After all this is my second. I should be a pro at this parenting thing, right?
Ha! I feel almost as naïve as I did two years ago. I don’t think I’ll ever feel like a natural pro when it comes to mommyhood. In fact, most of the time, I have the disconcerting feeling that my toddler knows more than me. And since I’ve used up all my brain power and energy on Owen for the past couple of years, I can barely remember what a swaddle is or how to properly burp an infant.
I have learned a few things though. I’m no mommy expert, but this time around I do know:
- Life is about to get even more exhausting.
- There will be days when I look like an undead. Lots of days.
- Soon I will have even more shit to carry around.
- Breastfeeding has some perks but, frankly, it mostly sucks.
- Newborn cries sound like music compared to toddler screams.
- Newborn poop smells like roses compared to toddler poop.
- Shit happens. Vomit happens. And sometimes both happen at once.
- The rejected scraps of food left by your child and a bowl of ice cream do count as a complete meal.
- Labor and delivery are not pleasant. But I fear the day Owen stops napping more than I fear pushing out another 8 pound human.
- “Napping while baby naps” is a nice thought but not based in reality.
- Getting a baby to behave is impossible. See photos below.
- There will be bad days. Very bad days. But there will be lots of amazingly happy moments too.
Yup ! You’re ready!