70 Things I've learned during my first year of Motherhood

Many of these I've learned on my own, some from friends, some from other blogs. And I'm sure as soon as I post this I will learn something else that belongs on this list, but here is a list of what I have compiled - 70 things I have learned during my first year of Motherhood!

1. Labor doesn’t end in the hospital. That, my friends, is just the beginning. A little ‘foreshadowing’ if you will, of all the work that lies ahead. :)

2. Every day is a surprise.

3. Taking a shower is a luxury (as well as eating).

4. You believe in love at first sight.

5. You learn the true meaning of unconditional love.

6. Seeing your baby for the first time is a surreal moment that takes your breath away.

7. If you hold your palm up and can see the tips of your nails, they are too long!

8. Your baby's pain hurts much worse than your own

9. “They” were right when they said your newborn will grow so fast he won’t even wear some of his clothes...

10. You throw your modesty out the window!

11. To keep my distance when blowing on your baby’s bottom (learned this the hard way…

12. The true meaning of the word 'sacrifice'

13. Things that were sacrifices before no longer seem like sacrifices when it comes to your baby.

14. The true meaning of the word ‘compromise’.

15. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

16. Taking care of your baby/toddler all day is a full-time job that leaves little time for anything else!

17. You don't mind going to bed at 9pm on a Friday night, in fact you prefer it!

18. You would rather buy something for your baby, than a new outfit for yourself.

19. Having a sense of humor makes every difficult situation 10 times better.

20. You vividly remember the pain of labor, but would do it again in a heartbeat.

21. You are fearless now in areas you were once afraid.

22. “Clean” disappears from your vocabulary. In fact the words ‘clean’ ‘floor’ and ‘windows’ don’t belong in the same sentence anymore.

23. Your child is a sponge, and is taking in everything you say and do, even as a toddler.

24. Where you were once fearless, you now find yourself afraid.

25. You have a new respect for your parents.

26. Sleep deprivation can have detrimental results.

27. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

28. You no longer plan your schedule, your baby does it for you.

29. Cloth diapers are a curse and blessing!

30. It’s easier to stay inside, but important to get out of the house.

31. You end up changing way more diapers per day than you ever imagined possible.

32. Motherhood causes you to be less selfish, because you have to be…

33. If you weren’t one already, you become a morning person.

34. You discover an inner strength you never knew you had.

35. It doesn’t matter if you dress your baby in blue, wrap him in a blue blanket and write ‘BOY’ on his forehead with a magic marker, SOMEONE will come up and say ‘is it a boy or girl?’

36. Your baby becomes a great excuse – especially at the mall: ‘sorry can’t stop, baby is hungry’, or telemarketers ‘sorry, my baby is crying I have to go’. 

37. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

38. You realize the true meaning of ‘multi-tasking’.

39. You learn that ‘trial & error’ is the name of the game.

40. Your body will never be the same again, but it is totally worth it. You have a new respect for your body- what it goes through to grow and give birth to new life.

41. You finally find out the real reason you have those breasts.

42. You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one.

43. Roll with the punches.

44. The news breaks your heart because you see every story from a mother’s perspective.

45. Your baby becomes your daily dose of entertainment.

46. You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late.

47. Disciplining is HARD! And this is just the beginning…

48. You learn to ‘get ready’ in record time.

49. You know you’re a mom when you catch yourself humming ‘the itsy bitsy spider’. Alone.

50. Nothing is yours anymore. You share EVERYTHING! Including your trips to the bathroom 

51. You want to take better care of yourself for your baby.

52. Things that mattered before don’t seem that important anymore.

53. Family morals and values become much more important.

54. The support you get from other people surprises you, because the people giving it are not always the ones you'd expect.

55. You can have the most wonderful conversation using only vowel sounds like "ahhh" and "oooo."

56. You realize that true joy doesn’t come from material wealth.

57. ‘Sleeping in’ becomes 7am, if we’re lucky 

58. Your baby changes so quickly – and literally looks older every day.

59. You discover how much there is to say about one tooth… or smile…. or step…. 

60. You find yourself doing things to make this world a better place.

61. You never catch up on sleep. You just learn to live without it somehow 

62. You start to appreciate Sesame Street for its intellectual contribution.

63. You would give anything to hold that little newborn just one more time.

64. That a little dirt won’t kill your child.

65. People start to talk to you ‘through’ your baby, which is annoying at first, but then – suddenly - you catch yourself doing it, too…

66. You have to get to the end of a new book, even if your child becomes disinterested halfway through. 

67. You learn something new every single day.

68. You can clean the house from top to bottom, but within a matter of seconds your toddler will have it inside-out and upside-down again.

69. You appreciate family more than ever!

70. You simply love life more! The amazing miracle of life!