When I grow up...

What is it about becoming a mother/parent that changes us completely? The world changes. People change. Everything changes.

I remember when my nephew Guthrie was born, Hanna told me how she had this new appreciation for life and how even the mean people she met, all she could think about was how they used to be someone's little baby and it made her a lot more compassionate.

There are 2 ways to view the world. The first view is what we have for the first 20+ years of our life (or 19 in Hanna's sake mwahahaha).

And then you enter motherhood.

And everything is different. And I mean everything. Children's television shows that you used to refer to as "rainbows on crack" become commonplace each morning at 7:30am. Those dorky little hats with embroidered teddy bears somehow turn into something adorable. Dirty diapers don't seem so overwhelming. Bedtime is 7:30 instead of 10:30. Bad language goes from several four letter words to "stupid" or "butt head."

A shopping trip that used to produce the trendiest shoes of the season now result in a new stuffed Eeyore (in case the original Eeyore gets lost)

Even movies change. And now when you watch The Little Rascals, instead of laughing at the stupidity of it, you're screaming at the television "Why isn't that little girl wearing a life jacket! Where are her parents!!!!"

Every trip to the bathroom (no matter the reason) commands an audience of at least 1, sometimes 2.

Watching a news program where something bad happens to a child always ends up making you cry. In additon to news weepiness, you cry at the end of any movie that has to do with parenting (can we say Meet the Robinson's?)

Instead of sneaking behind your parents' back for romantic interludes with with your sweetie, now you're trying to sneak behind the childrens' back...MUCH harder in case you were wondering.

Remember the things that used to excite you before children? Concert tickets? Or maybe a trip to Vegas?

Now it's first words, first steps, potty training, and maybe Disneyland when the kids are big enough for the rides.

Yes, motherhood changes everything.

And anyone that hasn't entered this phase of their life yet probably looks at these things and insists they want nothing to do with it.

But I assure you, the diapers, night-wakings, drained finances, endless meals of macaroni and cheese, toddler hugs, and baby kisses, are all worth it.