Thursday, February 18, 2010

Nobody Ever Told Me


Don't let these boys fool you. After I sternly told them to get in bed and not to talk, I find them both tucked in the Story chair, covers off their bed (a no-no) pretending to be asleep.



They were really staying up late reading Jake Drake, Bully Buster.


When you first get pregnant, for the first time; you hear it all. You learn from all of the experieinced mothers how hard and painful labor is, you hear that you won't get sleep for at least 6 months, you are told all about binky brands, diaper choices and changing pads. You hear how painful breastfeeding can be, how horrible cholic is and stories of how different formulas affect different babies. You think you've heard it all.
You are discharged from the hospital expecting all of those things. Ready for the world. You've listened to everybody's stories, theories and have maybe even read the books. But I find something very disturbing. I feel like I was never told the truth.
Nobody Ever told me this:
Nobody ever told me that even when your baby sleeps through the night, you're still tired. In fact, I've been tired ever since I had my first baby nearly seven years ago.
Nobody ever told me that I would never, I mean NEVER go to the bathroom by myself agian.
Nobody ever told me that a successful day would be to get three semi-healthy meals down the throats of ridiculously willful eaters.
Nobody ever told me that I would never make dinner with two hands again.
Nobody ever told me how much Disney movies really cost.

Nobody ever told me! DO YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE NOBODY EVER TOLD ME?

Nobody ever told me that I would find a kind of love that I never knew existed.
Nobody ever told me that 8 hours of screaming, fighting, not listening, crying and crankiness could all be wiped away with a one second smile.
Nobody ever told me that my patience would be greater than I had ever even thought possible.
Nobody ever told me that green, buggary kisses would make me smile.
Nobody ever told me that a naughty boy could hold my heart 2 feet away and play with it in front of my eyes.
Nobody ever told me that a successful day would be to lay down in bed at night and realize that you are hopelessly addicted to these troublesome, chaotic, miss-behaving children.
Nobody ever told me...perhaps because nobody ever could.
How do you tell someone how time stands still in those brief moments between mother and child. Looking into each others eyes. Knowing, with all knowing, that you are finally HOME.

4 comments:

JoshandJen said...

AMEN!!! You said it perfectly, I feel the same way as a mother! (only I could have never written it down that wonderful) It is all so, so true!!! Those tender moments with your children, make it all worth it in the end :)

Andrea said...

I always have a smile on my face after I read one of your fabulous posts Jessie. You definitely should have been a writer in your former life. You could still be one when you grow up you know......Hope you guys are doing well. "Match Day" is in one month for us---aren't you happy that you are not back there again! haha

Sarah said...

loved them all but my favorite is "... realize that you are hopelessly addicted to these troublesome, chaotic, miss-behaving children."

Even after super long and hard days I can't help but just smile when I think about Eleanor and how much i love her and how cute and fun she is and how lucky i am to have her!

p.s. you should be a speaker at time out for women :)

Scott & Katie said...

I love this. :)