by Judy Zabriskie

Created on: September 30, 2009   Last Updated: January 30, 2011

Twenty one years into this motherhood “thing” and I can honestly say I am NOT the same person I was prior – not even remotely.  As soon as you find out you are pregnant, life as you know it changes dramatically. Suddenly eating the right things, getting enough sleep, worrying about that little being growing inside of you become your greatest focus. Gone are the carefree days of taking off at a moment’s notice for a trip with friends, trying the latest greatest drink at a bar and seeing who can drink the next person under the table, well the single life or the married life without children is gone forever.

A house becomes a focus; saving money for the future of the child becomes your new focus. It doesn’t matter that the money set aside was for that wonderful vacation or that designer purse – nope, now suddenly College Savings Plans become a priority along with life insurance, finding that right couple who would be a stand in should something happen to you and your spouse (things you never thought you would be thinking of), right house in right school system and the baby is not even born yet!

Finally the big day, delivery day!  They say you forget labor – NOT.  I will never forget pushing that little guy out and counting the fingers and toes and screaming for APGAR scores and waiting to hear the wail of his lungs.  I honestly don’t remember even having an episiotomy until days after the delivery.  Two days in the hospital, get used to bottle feeding (my breasts never made enough milk), getting used to no sleep and when the baby slept you were to sleep – NOT.  I kept running in there to make sure he was breathing.  My son was the model child, sleeping through the night from day 4 after the midnight feeding until 6 AM but during the day there were books to be read, stimulating conversation with a gurgling infant, diapers (ah the many diapers) to be changed, pediatrician visits, worry, worry and yet more worry.

Your relationship with your husband changes as well.  You are no longer able to have that carefree sex you once coveted - you know the one that strikes at that special moment and voila instant “ah.”  Nope, no more.  Everything revolves around this tiny creature that has been placed in your care to nurture, love and give the best life possible to.  You watch him grow with wild anticipation, you hope, you dream, you potty train (much easier

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