1. Time Consumption
Everyone knows that babies are hard work. But what I didn't expect was that Kaylee (who is now 6 months old) would occupy every second of my waking (and sometimes sleeping) hours. This was especially true due to the fact that once she was past the "I sleep all day, every day and anywhere you put me" phase (which lasted a mere couple of weeks), she refused to sleep anywhere but in my arms. And even that was a trial in itself. Just to get her to nap, I felt like I had to have 6 arms so that I could pat her back, hold the pacifier in her mouth, rock her, and maybe rub my tummy and my head at the same time while hopping on one foot. At least, that's what it felt like. Things got a bit easier when I decided to crib train her. Well, they got easier for me. She definitely wasn't happy about it at first. But even though she cried almost nonstop for that first couple of days, it was worth it in the end. I now have a little time to myself each day while she happily takes her naps in her crib. My biggest piece of advice to new moms would have to be: put them in a crib for naps. Maybe by the time they are 2-3 months old. It really will be worth it. Having absolutely no time to yourself WILL drive you crazy. Even with her napping in the crib, it has already taken an exorbitant amount of time to write this short paragraph.
2. Exhaustion
Right along with time consumption, comes exhaustion. If you have a fussy baby (or a colicky baby, as they like to call it), this is especially true. Kaylee was fussy all the time. So besides having to hold her for all of her naps, she also refused to be put down any other time of day. As she got older, when she started to play with toys, she always had to be held. Occasionally, she will play alone on her activity mat. But it's not something to count on. So by the end of the day, I found that I was physically and mentally exhausted from holding her and entertaining her all day long. Not to mention the fact that I nurse her and that can be exhausting too. She was only 6 pounds 7 ounces when she was born, so she had to eat frequently to get her weight up. And since breastmilk metabolizes faster than formula, she continues to eat just about every 2-3 hours. By the time my husband gets home in the afternoon, I'm ready for a nap. But he has worked all day and wants some "me time," which is the same thing I want. So when I finally crash at night, praying that Kaylee will stay asleep for a few hours at least, you'd think I would fall asleep the second I hit the pillow. Nope. Us crazy females always have ten million thoughts going around in our heads. I wish I could turn my brain off at night, but it doesn't work that way. As a result of the ridiculous time if takes me to fall asleep, my exhaustion carries on into the next day, thereby continuing the never-ending cycle.
3. Being There for Every Amazing/New/Exciting Moment
Now that I have discussed some of the unexpected and not-so-pleasant moments of staying home full time with a baby, I think it's time for something to make expecting moms happy, something to really look forward to. Perhaps I should have listed this first! Once Kaylee started to be awake more and really began to observe her surroundings, I realized that I was the one who got to see everything first. When she saw something for the first time and really examined it, I got to see how she would react. I got to figure out what her favorite toy was from day to day. Because, of course, it could change any day. Every time she did something, a facial expression or making a funny noise, everyone was so excited and they would comment how they had never heard it before and oh wasn't it just adorable. And I would get to say "oh yeah, she started doing that a few days ago." It amazes me each and every day that she can change so much in such short time spans. One day she will be completely silent and the next she decides she wants to spend all day making hilarious noises that make absolutely no sense but are the cutest sounds I've ever heard. I get to see it all. And I couldn't be happier about it. Being a stay-at-home mom has its ups and downs, but I have never regretted it for a second. Seeing Kaylee smile and laugh, even if only briefly throughout the day, makes everything worth it. She is my little girl and even though she is 6 months old now, I still hesitate before I leave her for any length of time. Even if it is just to run to the store while she stays with Grandma.
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