Before I Was a Mother

I was reading my friend Roni's blog over lunch and was inspired by her post, a list of all the things she was/did before she was a mom to her three beautiful children.  So, I decided I would do one of my own.  Granted, she's got 7 1/2 years of experience to pull from, which makes my 13 months seem pretty light, but hopefully, my list will be somewhat as impressive, and humorous, as hers.

Before I was a mother.....

- I didn't see every teenager or young woman as someone's daughter.
- I didn't realize the capacity my heart had for love, or how many times I probably broke my mom's heart with some of my actions over the years.
- I never realized what luxuries pedicures, manicures or going to the bathroom alone really were.
- I didn't realize how many times I could laugh till I almost cry in the 2.5 hours between getting home from school and bed time.
- I had no idea how incomplete my life was.
- I had no idea that Justin would love styling Brianna's wet hair, or how many very strange styles wet baby hair can be put in to! (He'll probably shoot me a dirty look for posting that one!)
- I was the worst tailgate driver in all of Dallas (okay, maybe not all of Dallas).  I've rear-ended two people in the almost eight years I've lived here though.
- I actually wore lipstick or gloss every day.  Now, when I do remember, its tinted lip balm (love Burt's Bees in Watermelon!) and not till after I've dropped Brianna off.  I don't want to leave lipstick marks all over her face every morning and by the time I'm back in the car, I've shifted into work mode and forgotten.
- I could remember everything I needed from the grocery store, without a list.  I can't remember a thing unless I write it down now.
- I never cried.  Seriously, hardly ever.  I could go months without shedding a tear.  Now, I find myself getting all teary eyed more than once a week, sometimes more than once a day.
- The phrase "road trip" had a completely different connotation.  Now, it almost invokes fear and apprehension over how to keep a toddler happy in a car seat for the 5 hour drive to grandma's house.  DVD players have become the best answer so far!
- I thought I knew all I needed to about parenting and that giving someone my opinion or advice on the subject was perfectly fine. Now, I realize there's just no way you can have an informed opinion on something until you've actually done it.
- I didn't realize how much I would become a believer in informed consent, or that I'd be "that mom".  You know, the one that delays vaccinations, takes organic milk to daycare, only buys organic dairy and free range beef (thank you Target!), washes all fruits and veggies with soap ... you know, that mom.
- I never knew that hearing someone brag on your child could be so rewarding!  I never tire of hearing someone say how smart, beautiful, funny, sweet, precious, etc she is!

I really don't miss life before I was a mother.  I miss small parts of it, like having a date with Justin at the drop of the hat because we just feel like going out together.  But, picnics on a blanket in the backyard with my precious baby girl, who likes to lay her head in my lap and feel the sunshine on her face definitely top my list of favorite moments.  I wouldn't go back to life before Brianna for anything!