The Before - Once upon a time…

March Theme: Lists.

While I love being a Mom to two beautiful and intelligent kids, and appreciate being older (31) and wiser (hopefully) and having my own family, I miss some aspects of the life-before. Here’s a list of a few things that I’m able to muster after a long day, in no particular order. The list is subject to change tomorrow or any time without notice.

1. That ignorance is always bliss. (SUCH a myth)

2. Wear non-mommy clothes (as in, no sweat pants, baggy shirts, stained garments).

3. The ability to buy whatever I wanted without feeling guilty or thinking something along the lines of “this money is better used on something else, like the kids’ preschool tuition.”

4. Being able to take a nice long shower, or go to the bathroom uninterrupted.

5. Can talk on the phone without 300 requests from the little ones who are holding onto my legs with the Grip of Death.

6. Able to eat my food while it’s still warm.

7. Don’t need to cook 2 very different meals because there aren’t Picky Eaters.

8. Have the energy to watch a movie at the end of the day.

9. Have the energy and desire to ahem, you know.

10. The flexibility and luxury to sleep-in on weekends. Or simply just sleep, period.

11. Better muscle tone around my belly and thighs.

12. My boobs (didn’t have that much to begin with, but after breastfeeding two kids, it’s totally gone now).

13. The lack of self doubts: Is this the right way of holding a baby? Am I short-changing our son by continuing to work outside of the home? Co-Sleep or not? Cloth or disposable diapers? Am I doing this mommy thing correctly? on and on..

14. The lack of constant worrying: Why does her weight percentile keep dropping? Didn’t meet such and such milestones, what’s wrong - what went wrong - what did we do wrong?! What’s the rash/spots/whatever mean?

15. Not having to pick up toys or things / sweep / mop / vacuum 500 times a day (not that I did that that often before, or even do that that often now). Still with me?

I love our kids dearly that sometimes it’s hard to breath. That lump in your throat when they’re sick is not really there, but it sure feels huge and can constrict air flow. I cannot imagine not having them and being their Mama. But I’d be lying if I say I don’t miss some of the above things.