This is a sponsored post with a giveaway provided by Dr. Smith's. I have been chosen to be one of their Premium Parents and I'll have some fun giveaways and posts for you, thanks to them. As always, opinions are my own.
I wonder how many posts I've started with "I can't believe how fast time is flying by...". Just yesterday, Violet turned 17 months. 17 months, y'all!! And being that it was a Sunday, which is also the day my due date fell on, I couldn't help but think about how different life is now from those early days of mom-hood. I will never claim to be a pro at this mom gig but compared to the new mom back in February of 2012, I can say I've definitely upped my game. Parenting is a never-ending learning process, that's for sure.
It's well known around here that Violet was our surprise baby and coming from that place, I'd have to say that I was probably just about the most unprepared mom ever. As in, EVERYTHING was a surprise to me. Being told you probably can't have kids, you let go of dreaming about life with your future babies, you don't really make any plans for that kind of life...And then a surprise pregnancy comes and changes your life in the best way possible.
I don't think anyone could have prepared me for the flood of emotions I would feel the moment I had her...or for the fact that those emotions will. never. go. away. Mix in some serious sleep deprivation and the worry wart in me just about quadrupled. I was so. dead. tired but couldn't keep myself from always checking on her to make sure she was breathing. I couldn't help but wonder about all the possible things her cries could mean (surely, she's sick and we need to get her to the dr asap!!). Becoming a mom upped my crazy and it upped my anxiety. I can't say I handled it all very well, either. Poor Ronnie had to deal with my crying fits, my random stress outbursts and just my overall EXHAUSTION. But he was going through it too and no one fully knows your new life as a parent quite like your significant other. We have a better and stronger relationship than ever, thanks to her.
I don't think anyone could have prepared me for the flood of emotions I would feel the moment I had her...or for the fact that those emotions will. never. go. away. Mix in some serious sleep deprivation and the worry wart in me just about quadrupled. I was so. dead. tired but couldn't keep myself from always checking on her to make sure she was breathing. I couldn't help but wonder about all the possible things her cries could mean (surely, she's sick and we need to get her to the dr asap!!). Becoming a mom upped my crazy and it upped my anxiety. I can't say I handled it all very well, either. Poor Ronnie had to deal with my crying fits, my random stress outbursts and just my overall EXHAUSTION. But he was going through it too and no one fully knows your new life as a parent quite like your significant other. We have a better and stronger relationship than ever, thanks to her.
Life is just so amazingly different now with a child. Who knew I would feel my child's pain when she was sick? Who knew I would be able to survive and actually function on just a couple hours of sleep? Who knew I wouldn't throw up the moment she had a massive poop explosion? Who knew I'd be that mom who takes 100 picture of her every day and not once actually care what anyone thinks? Who knew I'd think her gassy little farts were the cutest thing (and now as a toddler, pretty hilarious)? Who knew I would get so ballsy and not let anyone tell me how to parent my child? There's so many things that have surprised me about being a parent but the biggest thing for me has been that, you will learn as you go and you will actually know what you're doing! Like I said before, for someone as unprepared as me, I've actually been able to pull off being a mom ;) Who knew??!
The books, the websites and chatting with other moms is helpful but it only gets you so far. Your motherly instincts will take over and you just go with it. NO ONE can prepare you for the true magnitude of the love and the exhaustion you will feel or how completely your life will change. You basically don't know anything about being a parent until you are one and then there's no way to go back. ha! But I promise, you won't want to.
What surprised you most as a parent?
Now, I'm excited to share with y'all that Dr. Smith's is now available nationwide at Walgreens! You can find the retailer nearest you at doctorsmiths.com. I was only recently introduced to their products and perfect timing too because it has helped Violet's recent rashes SO well! It is definitely going to be a staple for us now.
To celebrate Dr. Smith's going nationwide, they're giving away a $50 gift card to Walgreen's and a supply of their diaper rash ointment! If you're a mom or preggo, you should definitely sign up and get some Dr. Smith's in your life!
