Being a parent is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I honestly can't remember what most of life was like before becoming a parent almost 2 1/2 years ago. And yet some days, it's still hard to believe my baby is now a toddler, running, laughing, climbing, playing, screaming, and talking. C surprises me every day with the things he's learning.
The journey so far has been an interesting one, and I'm sure there will be many more adventures along the way as C grows and learns new things. But there are definitely some things I've seen along the way that I wish I'd known before becoming a parent.
No one ever told me about drool, and how much babies drool. It's like Niagra Falls. It just keeps flowing... and flowing... and flowing. How much drool can come out of one little tiny being? How is this possible? But along with drooling comes teething. And lots of screaming, and whining, and crying, and chewing. Around the clock. And the good news is, it's easily fixed with a Baltic amber teething necklace. Why did no one ever tell me before we reached the teething stage about Baltic amber teething necklaces? C was a year old before I found out, and a blubbering, teething, drooling mess of a kid. He was miserable. He didn't like teethers, cold wash cloths, popsicles, nada. There was no relief in sight for him except Orajel and baby Tylenol. And then we found out about Baltic amber. In 24 hours, my child went from a hot mess to a happy smiling kid you'd never know was teething. The crying and whining stopped and the smiles reappeared. And the drooling, oh that blasted drooling... it stopped! And the good news, no more Orajel and Tylenol required.
No one ever told me that baby and toddler poop comes in all colors of the rainbow. I've seen purple, I've seen blue, I've seen orange, and even yellow, green, and red. Yes, that's a whole rainbow right there. It's always a surprise when I change a messy diaper. People, if you think blueberries are just a berry, think again. Blueberries can turn a diaper into artwork of the grossest kind. And watermelon, now that's just disturbing. I'm not even sure there are words to explain that one, it's a whole other art exhibit worthy of it's own show. Yummy. And honestly, it doesn't start getting better well into toddlerhood. C's diapers are finally resembling something on the side of normal. I think.
No one ever told me how sticky everything would be. Tables, chairs, toys, windows, book shelves, clothes, ME. Toddlers have this way of covering everything they touch in drool or milk or juice or food. Or at least, you HOPE that's what that sticky stuff is. Maybe your toddler was digging in his diaper. Yes, I really just said that. I think you know where I'mg going with that, so I don't think I have to explain that one. I am forever wiping every surface over and over every day, and it never fails that I every day I find places I missed and have to wipe again. I swear I just wiped that. Or did I? I must wipe it again then. It is a never ending battle. Sticky, sticky, sticky. Why does everything have to be sticky? Yuck.
No one ever told me it's possible to have 32 meltdowns in an hour. Welcome to toddlerhood. C's shoe won't come off. C's sock fell off. C's puzzle piece won't fit. C dropped his banana on the floor. C's banana was sliced instead of whole. C doesn't want his diaper changed because it means he has to stop playing for 2 minutes. C got peanut butter on his hand. The cat ran upstairs to go hide is the perfect cue for a meltdown. The Hot Wheels car won't fit in the tiny hole in the cardboard box. Cue shrieking and crying at the top of C's lungs. Cue child flinging himself backwards on the floor, arms and legs flailing about in every direction. It's amazing at how something so simple to us as adults is so extremely frustrating to a child of 2.
These are just a few of my "favorite" things about babies. It makes life interesting and the important thing is that I can laugh about it. And at least now, I'm better prepared for when or if the next munchkin comes along. And please, if you have anything to share about what you wish you knew before becoming a parent, I'd love to hear your stories!
