When I was pregnant with my first child I had plenty of time to daydream about what life with a baby would look like. And when I first looked into his eyes seven months ago, I was over the moon with joy?and blissfully unaware of what was to come.
I am confident that I am not alone when I say that my vision pre-baby of what my life would look like as a parent was a lot less complex (read: naïve) than what reality has served up. Here are just some of the ways my vision of motherhood was not at all like the real thing.
I thought I?d be able to control my baby?s actions
I?m not sure why, but I had grandiose visions of being a magical baby whisperer, where my soothing voice and warm touch would automatically calm a fussing babe and draw crowds from miles around to witness the wonders of my charm. As it turns out, my nipples are the baby whisperers, and I just happen to be attached. Thankfully, they have not drawn crowds. I thought my baby would be so adorable that I could never be frustrated with him
Don?t get me wrong?he is adorable. But despite my love for him, I find it really hard to like him when he refuses to go down for his nap. Every. Single. Day. I really do not like when he bites me while nursing. I also don?t like that he only sleeps for two-hour stretches at night; which means that I only sleep for two-hour stretches at night. So while there is so much that I truly, whole-heartedly like and love, I am coming to terms with truly and whole-heartedly disliking the sens...