Is motherhood what you expected?

Anniekins214

In a lot of ways, motherhood is what I expected. ?I knew that I would be absolutely crazy about my daughter. ?I knew I'd be sleep deprived and occasionally frustrated. ?I knew I'd mind f*** every little decision to death, because that's how I roll. ?

I did not know that I would obsess over what's coming out of my boobs or the contents of my daughter's diapers. ?I never expected to be so frustrated by my lack of milk production, especially since I used to think I didn't want to breastfeed.?

I did not know that I would feel such intense love for my husband and daughter that I would burst into happy tears every day. ?

I never expected to feel so inept; I'd taken the classes and I'd read the books and I still feel clueless half of the time. ?At work, I feel knowledgeable and confident. ? Now I feel like I'm constantly asking stupid questions to my DD's pediatrician, my mom, and my girlfriends. ?

What did you expect??

KateLouise

The tiredness is pretty much what I expected but I am surprised at how much I adore my daughter.

I'm not a big fan of babies, but my baby is perfect :-)

I'm surprised at how much I now like other people's babies.

I'm surprised at how much time I spend thinking about ways I can do the best for my daughter to give her everything I can.

 

OCMom2009

I didn't know the meaning of exhaustion until I experienced falling asleep with my eyes open when she was new - or when a deep sleep is broken with the cry of a newborn needing food. But I didn't know that it wouldn't be the heII I'd expected, either.

I didn't know that the moment I would meet my daughter, that I would just "know' her and her personality. 

I knew that I would love motherhood and that my husband, who has never been around kids, would be a natural. I had no idea to what extent. Parenthood has put us in a weird place that is more about partners and less about romance these days, and that's new. But we are loving the parenthood thing so it will all be as it should.

I also didn't know the degree to which poop would dominate our lives. And bring joy. LOL

I'm proud with how calm I am as a mother. That was unexpected and I'm thankful that I don't get rattled.

I'm disappointed in my irritability. I had never expected that to happen but sometimes I feel like all of my positive vibes are funneled toward my daughter and it leaves me with a short temper that I never knew I had. I'm sad with myself when this happens - especially when aimed at my wonderful husband.

I didn't know what fulfillment was until I had Sam. I didn't know that the so-called bond that I hear about would come, albeit later than immediate but nonetheless, with a hurricane force that literally makes me cry when the sound of my voice makes her coo and smile; when I'm the only one on the planet that can stop her tears and make her feel peaceful.

krissyh21

I am surprised that every time I see a commercial or show or anything pertaining to a little boy, I can imagine my LO at what stage that little boy is in. And I smile.

I am surprised that every dream I have pertains to my baby in some way. Even if it is a wacky dream, somewhere in it pops my son. 

I am surprised that even though I am beyond exhausted at pretty much most times, how beyond happy I am. 

jennybeams

Yes...totally.  However, I never knew the type of love I would feel for DD until now.  It's a totally different type than with DH or my family.

 

 

sophiet496

I did not know how unbelievably happy someone else's smile could make me.  It doesn't matter how many times I've seen it.  Every time he smiles or laughs, I just melt.

I did not know how little sleep I could survive on.  I've always been a huge sleeper, and didn't think I could ever function on the few hours I was getting for the first couple of months.

I did not know motherhood would bring me so much closer to my own mother, but further from my friend who doesn't have nor want children.

I did not know my husband and I could have so many conversations about poop!  We even have a special catch-phrase about it now!

I did not know how hard it would all be.  People tell you how your life will change and how much work it is.  But I don't think you can ever truly grasp it until you are living it.  It's a 24-7-365 job, for sure.  I have a new found respect for all parents now!

I did not know how irritable my DH and I could both be at each other.  We pretty much never bickered until these past few months.  But I also don't think we've ever felt closer or more in love than we do today.

I did not know just how much my own happiness could be wrapped up in someone else's.  Lucas' joy is mine now...

 

umbcpt

I have to say the first time around that I had no idea what I was in for, and I was not ready to do it again for three more years.  This time is so different.  I knew what I was in for, with the exception of c-section recovery, and I never thought that I would know I wanted more than two children with an infant so young. 

I realize that being a mother is the most important job of all, and I find myself not as dedicated to work as I once was. 

I find myself not so worried about things such as housework.  As long as my kid are happy, clean and healthy, that is all that really matters.  I get to it when I can.

I find that my husband and I are closer today than we have ever been before.  For the first time since we started dating in 2002, I feel like this is the most important 'family unit.'  I feel like he has loosened ties with his parents and me with mine to make our family first priority.  Not to say that our parents are no longer important to us, just that there has been a shift in our thinking.  When we refer to our family, it is the four of us, our nuclear family, if you will. 

I treasure the little things, and find myself tearing up when I am just bursting with pride and love for the two little ones that I created.  For example, after making my son breakfast this morning, and then pulling out a box of toys that I put away a month ago (he thinks they are new), he said to me, "Mommy, you're my best." 

It is for sure the greatest and hardest job I have ever done.

 

Mereou12

In ways yes, and in other ways, it has blown my mind.

Like you, I expected to be head over heels in love with my son. I expected to be tired, overwhelmed, and wondering every minute if I'm doing this whole parenting thing "right."

I didn't expect to become so emotionally attached to breastfeeding. I battled a low supply for awhile, and I bawled my eyes out the first time we had to supplement with formula. I felt like a failure. I hope to be able to EBF as long as possible.

I didn't expect how much it would change me as a person. I'm calmer, more well rounded, and certainly more patient. It's not about me anymore...it's about US. Our family.

It's the hardest thing I've ever done, that's for sure...but rewarding and challenging in such a sweet, beautiful way.

ibis

I'm coping with sleep deprivation a lot better than I thought I would; I don't find it that hard to function the next day.

BFing is a LOT harder than I expected. 

Unfortunately dealing with my ILs is shaping up to be about as annoying as I'd feared. 

daisydana

Anniekins214:

I did not know that I would feel such intense love for my husband and daughter that I would burst into happy tears every day.  

THIS!  I had no idea I would feel this immense love for my DH because of my DD.  The love I feel for her is amazing and the fact that we created her makes me love my husband more than I thought was humanly possible.  

ibis

OCMom2009:

I'm disappointed in my irritability. I had never expected that to happen but sometimes I feel like all of my positive vibes are funneled toward my daughter and it leaves me with a short temper that I never knew I had. I'm sad with myself when this happens - especially when aimed at my wonderful husband.

I have to tell you, I SO understand what you mean!! I am the same way, though in my case I seem to be really irritable toward my dog, who used to be my baby... it's like everything he does annoys me, which makes me feel so bad. It really bothers me and I'm hoping it's a hormonal thing that will pass soon. 

Kingston54

I expected it to be hard and wonderful at the same time.  But I didn't fully understand the extent of either until it happened!