Ways Lena has changed my life...

So, I was thinking tonight about how many ways that Lena has changed my life, and I thought I'd just go ahead and write about it.  I know that most of what I have to say will come across as "duh" moments to you other mommies out there, but some of this stuff you just don't think about till you have a kid.

1.  I realized last night that I still love thunderstorms, but they stress me out in an all new way: listening for the tornado siren and wanting to get up and go turn on the TV to watch the radar.  I did not actually get up and go watch the radar, mostly because it was about 2am, but I did lay awake listening to the storm, and praying there wasn't a tornado.  The whole time I was planning how we would get down to the basement, and what I would try to grab on the way (besides Lena): cell phone, flashlight (and where is that flashlight?), blankets, maybe a random bottle of water, etc, etc.

2.  I absolutely cannot go anywhere without feeling like a sherpa.  I have new respect for sherpas.  The diaper bag is much less necessary these days, as Lena is eating regular table food and not shitting her pants quite as often.  But, sure as I don't bring it with me, she will have a blow out and we will be stuck with no diapers or wipes and no change of clothes.

2.a. I absolutely cannot go anywhere without planning it out in advance.  i.e. Will I need the stroller?  Will we be outside for very long?  Does Lena need a jacket?  Do I have the shopping cart cover thing?  Do I really need the shopping cart cover thing?  Does this store have close enough parking?  (no, they don't)... and it continues until we get to where we are going, and beyond.  My car looks like a Babies R Us exploded in it!

3.  I can't go to the bathroom truly by myself (and yes, I know this gets worse once she's mobile) unless Lena's sleeping.  Even then, I always have one ear cocked to hear her.

4.  It is very, very difficult to pay attention in church when you have a 20-lb. spider monkey climbing all over you.  I love our church, and I know that the mostly very old congregation either can't hear her or doesn't care if she's loud.  But even when she's quiet, she's still climbing me like a freaking spider monkey.

5.  Even though she's the smallest person I know, she still produces lots of laundry and dishes!  WTH??

6.  Driving defensively takes on a whole new meaning.  That pounding loud music in the car next to me?  All I can think is "Please don't wake her up; she just went to sleep!"  I am constantly scanning the roadside for deer (or other animals that may want to sabotage my trip to town).  I am constantly worried about whether she is strapped into the carseat correctly, and whether the seat is strapped in correctly.  I constantly drive with my lights on.  I coast a LOT more, choosing to save my brakes for when I might actually need them.  I have dreams about car accidents and wake up in a panic.

7.  You can never have too many diapers.  Or wipes.  Or white onesies.  Or blankies. Or pacis. Or lovies. Or bottles.

8.  The baby monitor is evil.  It monopolizes my TV watching time.

9.  I have never laughed so much with one person than I have in the last 10 months... she is truly a funny baby, and makes me smile every single second.

10.  Teething must hurt like a sonofabitch.  Thank God for baby Tylenol.

11.  Sweet potatoes come out the same consistency and color that they went in... ewwwww!  So does corn.

12.  I have generally much more patience for the public at large... I just think about them as babies, and it really does help!  Plus, most people can't help but smile and giggle a little when they see a baby.

13.  There are some parenting skills that I may never acquire, but that doesn't make me any less of a good parent.  Just not the same as someone else.

14.  I go to bed very early, rise very early, and take as many naps as I can.  I love a good nap.

15.  Making baby food is super easy, and waaaaay cheaper and healthier than the store-bought stuff... why don't more people do it?

16.  I do not miss my former life.  At all.  I do miss a good night's sleep.  But, according to every parent I've ever spoken to, I will not return to good night's sleeps until after Lena grows up and moves out.  And even then, it's not the same. 

17.  I love my husband for the man that he is, and for the man that he has become since Lena joined us.  We are a strong, loving family, and I couldn't ask for more than that.