10 Things I've Learned from Childbirth & Children

1. If you think that when you are pregnant you are being taken over by some other life force and that it will just end when you deliver said "life force", you are sweetly mistaken. It is just the beginning of the fun.

2. When you are in labor and you think that you are just going to explode (you really won't) but you should project all your energy into pushing. Of course if you are in the car and on your way to the hospital or you are walking down the hall to your delivery room, don't push yet. Wait till the doctor/midwife/nurse/janitor gets down there to catch the "ball".

3. Sleep when the baby sleeps. I know that everyone says this and you probably won't because you will think, "Hey, I'm only a little tired. I can handle it!" Just SLEEP! If you are only having one child then you might be okay, but if you are planning on having more than one, then this will be the only time that you will be able to sleep.

4. Say goodbye to uninterrupted sleep for the next 7-8 years. Even if you get the kid to sleep through the night, you will still get woken up in the morning far before you are ready to wake up.

5. Sometimes you see those sweet little perfect children who follow and obey their parents every waking moment, at least in public when you see them. Those children don't really exist. They are a figment of your imagination and once they step foot into their own houses, they become exactly like your children. (To make me feel better, I like to imagine that they are actually WORSE than mine.)

6. If you think that you have a husband that you have to tell things to over and over again and that he doesn't listen... this is hereditary and your children will be the same way.

7. Be ready to laugh more than you thought possible. They are the funniest little creatures in the world. Even when they aren't trying to make you laugh, you should laugh at them anyway. It will make you feel better.

8. Babies with hair look cuter than bald babies. :) I'm just saying...

9. Childproof your house now. And continue to do it. And keep vigilant. Stay at least 5 steps ahead of them because it will save you alot of time, tears and hospital copays.

10. Pray for patience every morning. Then when it runs out at 7:15am, pray again, and again, and again.

11. (Hey, this is my blog, I can have 11 if I want!) The final thing is to just try and have fun. It won't always be, but if you try, you are more likely to succeed than if you don't try at all. You can't change it by complaining about it, so suck it up and deal with it!