And that's when reality hit....

I finally got in touch with a friend from college who had her baby earlier this summer. She's still trying to get a handle on the whole lack of sleep/showering, napping/feeding schedule, losing brain cells joys of motherhood before her maternity leave ends, so we've been playing phone tag for a while. It was so nice to finally hear from her and get caught up on all the vital baby details...

How was the labor? Are you nursing? Is he sleeping through the night? Of course not, how are YOU holding up?

When asked about her son's major milestones, she told me that he's smiling and cooing like a pro, but hasn't been holding up his own head very well. It seems that they don't do much "tummy time" because she doesn't like putting him on the floor...

Suppressing giggles, I assured her that "tummy time" shouldn't make or break his chances for Harvard, Class of 2028. He'll be just fine!

Talking to my friend reminded me of the "not so long ago" when I would freak out about all sorts of things that I find silly now. It also reminded me of all the things that I never even considered freaking out about...

There's a fabulous book I keep at easy reach on my nightstand called, I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood.

Ladies and Dads-to-be, toss out that tired copy of What to Expect When You're Expecting. This book should be your required reading for parenthood... especially for anyone that's ever uttered the phrase, "Can you believe they let their kid... I would NEVER do that!" or "How hard could taking care of little kids be?"

It's like nothing you could have ever expected... EVER.

I flip through my copy whenever I need a "reality check" or a little reassurance that I am still a good mom... just a little worn down.

I used to think I knew it all. I went into motherhood headstrong and certain of absolutely everything that I would and wouldn't do as a parent...

I thought going back to work would be a total no brainer for me. ("HA!", says the SAHM.) I had my ideas on how "easy" it would be to impose MY schedule on my son. These days, I'm lucky if he allows me to impose clothing on him. (I only appear to be in charge around here.)

I never realized how powerful all-consuming mommy guilt could be or how emotional I would become over the slightest thing like my son having a bad day at Mom's Morning Out. I never knew what the words "this hurts me more than it hurts you" truly meant until I had to discipline my son for his own good. I never knew that I could give so much of myself (so much of the time) and still feel like I'm not doing enough...

I love being a mom, but some days are just tougher than others. This book helps me to see past all that and laugh at the insanity that my life has become... especially my crazy expectations.

I used to be paranoid about my newborn being too close to the floor, too. I avoided registering for a bouncy chair for the longest time because I thought they were too close to the floor... where people walk... with their feet... and their GERMS! Gahhh!

I eventually caved when I was told that bouncy chairs = getting to shower. In fact, I ended up getting two: one for the bathroom and one for the kitchen, so I could shower AND eat(!!) These days I love it when my son stays on the ground level. It's the only place that he can't fall off!