If you could please send a formal request and I'll put you in my sched.

Being a mom to me means life never being what is once was.
So I haven't written according to schedule, I do want to apologize to my 6 fans out there, ;). But in my defense, life has taken on its own life. The life of before with time and space to do nothing and being able to drop what I'm doing with a moment's notice is gone.
Our whole life is officially Mr. Brayden, or at least it feels like it at times. We were asked to go out last minute a bit ago, and we were like, sorry, we need a tad more notice to set up a sitter, or make appropriate accommodations. WHAT? I felt soooo old. Life of spontaneity was gone. I can honestly say the life of a parent... I didn't get it till I got it, ya know.
Luckily we are so blessed with my parents and a couple great sitters, so this is not me complaining, but it's just a warning to parents-to-be that you'll definitely need to prepare for a life of flexible behavior, or un-flexible behavior. And although at times it will feel like you're overwhelmed with everything "parenting" involves, I would also like to say that this really cool life has also just begun. Like my mother in law always asks, "Isn't it hard to imagine your life without this little person? It's like he's always been here." It’s true. Although weekends away and all nighters will be harder to come by in the future, little times like bath time and witnessing my son's first time eating ice-cream have made me realize what is actually meaningful and surprisingly fun!
If you have a sitter though, take advantage. Set up a time every week, or every other week to go out and remember who you are as an individual, not just a parent. I swear that it makes both the person and the parent stronger. Plus going out with your friends or your partner will also strengthen your relationships and remind yourself that there is life outside of yours, and maybe other people are going through their own version of chaos.
Last words…if you're a control freak, you might want to toss that to the side, because parenting will be one thing that spits in the face of your perfect system. If you don't believe me, just wait until you're in a restaurant and somehow have managed to get poop on your shirt!

Remembering pregnancy: I would like beets, goat cheese, perogies and toast!

Being a mom to me means taking the time to appreciate to appreciate the irony of how much nausea one goes through in pregnancy to produce a child that then vomits on you all the time.

Here is my prego friend's lunch bag today!
The poor thing just didn't know what she wanted,
so she brought it all! I totally understand!

I have a friend who is pregnant right now and every time I see her it looks like the night before was her 21st Birthday party. Hung over! Everyday she feels hung over. What a special treat this pregnancy is! First you can't even stand the smell of onions, then you want perogies smothered in them with a dallop of whipped cream and chocolate!

I feel like I talk a lot about my experience as a mother, but I want to give a shout out to my non-mommies out there, especially ones that are trying to get pregnant.

Be aware that you're first 3-4 months (yes I said FOUR!!!) may be filled with burning sensation in your throat due to acid reflex - when you least expect it, randomly vomiting in your mouth when you least expect it, letting out an incomprehensible smells - when you least expect it, bloody noses - when you least expect it... and more!

Alright now that I've probably turned everyone away from wanting to go down this lovely path, the second trimester is actually so much fun. You're feeling better, starting to show and actually are having fun with the concept that there is a little human growing inside of you. (On the other side of course this is also the phase where you feel like there is an alien inside of you! Oh ya and that part where you start to get bigger and you get your partner to shut the lights off every time they want to get close to you!) But never the less, there is a lot to look forward to! People naturally smile at you when you're out and about. Even the coldest of hearts will open a door for you.  You get special parking (that Ryan always liked more than me.) And then there is that moment when your partner rubs your belly and gives you the all knowing smile. That's a pretty good moment that make all those hung over mornings worth it.

So consider, the first few months are a boot camp of sorts. Makes you realize how strong and crazy you have to be to want to take on one of the most challenging jobs God can give a person! Making a human - and then raising it! Because guess what’s around the corner when the little tike is here? Burning sensations you'll get to feel right after child birth - when you least expect it, your baby randomly vomiting on you - when you least expect it, the most incomprehensible smells coming from their diapers (or coming out of the diapers) - when you least expect it and more…trust me…so much more!