For those of you who don’t know, Josh  and I are expecting our first child at the end of August.  You always hear people say how children change their lives. I didn’t realize how much that was true, and the kid’s not even here yet!

My new bed time is 8:30. By 8, I’m yawning, by 8:30 I’m out. This has vastly put a dent in my free time. By the time I come home, cook dinner, clean up, take a shower (another new habit, I have to take showers at night now, can’t handle it in the morning) and dry my hair, it’s bed time. No more watching movies after dinner. We tried that and 30 minutes in, I’m asleep. Not only that, our to-do list has grown tremendously. We have decided we need tile/hardwood floors before the baby gets here. Mainly for sanitary purposes. We also  have to paint the nursery, register for baby stuff (to which I have no idea what we need), house needs a new roof, pressure wash the siding… we’ve got family coming in 6 months to see “Megatron” (this is what we’ve decided to call the baby until we find out what it is)

Where I shop has changed. I used to go to NY and Co, and Ann Taylor Loft for all my clothing/retail therapy needs. Now it’s Motherhood and Old Navy Maternity. I must say my first realization came when my best friend and I went shopping last weekend. We went into Motherhood and the girl had to explain to me how this works (that felt odd in itself) Then I go into the dressing room to try on these not so cute clothes, and there’s a flippin’  pillow in there to show you how you’ll look down the road! I tried it on and about died! At first it was funny. The pillow was all lumpy, then I freaked.  Is that REALLY what I’m going to look like 4 months from now!? 

HOW I shop has changed. I used to be able to go on a power shopping trip and go for 5 hours straight. Now, after trying on maternity clothes, I need something to drink (and a nap, but don’t want to be a wuss) So we go on a search for bottled water. Then, we strategically plan out how to maximum shopping and minimize energy usage. “If we go this way, we can go to Store A, B and C… If we go this way, we can only go to Store D… Is Store D REALLY worth walking ALL the way over there? Not really..Okay, this way it is then” After 2 hours, I REALLY need a nap. And a snack. {sigh} I can only imagine doing this with a stroller.

Conversations are different. I used to talk about the weather, NASCAR, how my week went.. Now its “How are you feeling? Sick and tired, thanks for asking.” “Aww, how cute!!! No, not really… I’m tired all the time, and my clothes don’t fit anymore” “ It’ll get better soon… You’ve said that for 3 weeks now, WHEN is it going to get better?!”  

Alas after all my trials and tribulations we will have a bundle of joy. Despite the fears and doubts, I can’t wait to meet the little booger.