- My concept of time has completely changed. I now view days in terms of nap times and feeding times. I only have time for one accomplishment per day. I can either do the housework, or do something else. Finding time to eat is hard enough -- time to cook? In the evenings, he eats every hour: 30 minutes or so to feed him (on both sides), 15 minutes to get the diaper changed, then 15 minutes of insisting he wait, then start the cycle over. And every time I look at the clock, time has gone by, and I find myself wondering where it went.
- Having spent a lot of time babysitting during my teen years, I know I've changed a number of diapers. I don't remember it taking so long to do... but maybe that's because my sense of time has changed now.
- I've always had a bit of a round tummy (never a washboard stomach here). During pregnancy it just got bigger and rounder (and did I mention bigger?). After birth, rather than shrinking back toward its old, smaller round self, it has simply deflated. I now have a flap of wobbly flab where my tummy used to be. I literally have to lift it up to see my incision scar.
- Getting your abdomen cut open has the unpleasant side effect of disrupting the nerves that travel through that area. I now have a numb spot directly below my belly button and the skin around it is all tingly. The doctor said this should go away in about a year.
- I didn't realize I would enjoy breastfeeding. I knew I wanted to do it because 1. it's cheap (FREE!) and 2. I do believe it is best for the baby. It turns out I actually like it too... even when it means I can't make plans in the evenings, and I'm always on night duty.
- Go into any baby clothing store and it's immediately obvious just how much fun it is to dress up little girls. But you know what? Dressing up little boys is a blast too. Is there anything cuter than a little boy in little overalls?
- Becoming a parent means you suddenly scrutinize everything in a new way. Every little question requires research and careful thought before a decision can be made. How did people raise children before the internet?