The Change...

Now, don't take this as whinging, because that is not at all what it is...

But as I sit here at 1am, waiting for Izaiah to fall asleep, after he has refused his bottle, his nappy is clean, and nothing seems to be the matter, he's just sooking, because he can. It has made me realise something. Just how different your life becomes once you have a child, or two!

I'm sure people warned me how different things would be, but I either didn't acknowledge it, or I was just naive enough to believe that it was all an exaggeration.

But nothing anyone ever tells you about becoming a mother, could ever prepare you or make you fully comprehend the change your life takes. You can only truly understand once you become a mother yourself.

I mean, the word sleep loses all meaning, unless you're talking sleep-deprived. If that's the case, then I am 100% with you on that level! Haha!

Sleep-ins, what are they again? Remember those days, when you'd sleep all day, wake up and it would be like 3 in the afternoon? Those days are long gone!

Baby throw-up, being the norm of everyday life. Who would have ever imagined?

Not gagging or wanting to throw-up at the sight of a dirty, smelly nappy explosion. I can tell ya, I never saw that one coming!

Spending half an hour each and every night, scrubbing the table, chairs, wall and floor, trying to remove every trace of food. Not to mention the half hour spent scrubbing a grubby child, who has food from head to toe, and stuck to their hair, that it has to be scrubbed in the shower, for a further 15 minutes!!

Listening to a baby, scream their little head off, for no reason what-so-ever, apart from, their ability to scream when and where they feel like it.

Dealing with toddler tantrums, and a 3 month olds clinginess, day in and day out.

Not being able to leave the house, alone.

Having to spend hours getting ready to go anywhere! Packing nappies, changes of clothes, wipes, creams, bottles, snacks, drinks, toys, dummies, formula, blankets, pretty much, EVERYTHING! And that's just for the kids, then there's getting yourself ready too!

Remember, when staying the night somewhere meant throwing some undies, pj's and a change of clothes in a bag, along with a few essential toiletries? Well, guess what, that's a thing of the past too! Now, there's the portable cots, all the things stated above (only more of them), pillows, blankets, sheets, prams/strollers, shoes, food, sometimes even hi-chairs or walkers. The list goes on. You have to pack almost the whole house of kids stuff, just for one night!!

Not being able to walk through the shops without having a 2yr old screaming for one chocolate or another, causing a huge scene.

Showering alone, god that's one I miss! Haha.

Being able to wear nice clothes without them getting ruined within 5 minutes of me putting them on! What does a nice outfit look like again?

BUT...Again, no one told me of the wonderful things that come with being a Mother either.

Like the first time you hold your baby in your arms, knowing that little person is yours, and that everything you had to go through to bring this beautiful life into the world, was all worth it!

The first time your child flashes you one of those big gummy smiles, and you suddenly feel like the world has stopped, and you are the entire universe for this little being.

The love and bond that a Mother feels for her baby, the moment that gorgeous little person is placed into your arms.

The very first time your baby looks up into your eyes, the feeling inside your heart, there are absolutely no words to describe that feeling, that natural bond with your child. The most amazing feeling in the world!

The first word your baby ever says, a moment that can never be replaced. The excitement as you sit there for hours trying to coax them into saying it over and over.

When your child comes up and cuddles you, for no apparent reason, just because they love you. The love that only a parent knows.

Watching as your child learns new things, takes their first step, crawls for the first time, all those amazing firsts. Feeling your heart skip a beat everytime that gorgeous little person learns something new, and looks up at you with that little sparkle in their eye, so proud to show off that new little something that they have learnt.

The first picture that they ever draw for you. A keep-sake that you will forever keep and hold dear.

Even when you're sleep-deprived, sitting up all hours of the night, holding that precious little baby in your arms, rocking them to sleep, and having them look up at you, stare at you until they finally, slowly, fall asleep.

Having your beautiful child, look at you, as if you're the most important person in their life. Like walking into a room, and everything stops, because you're there, and all they want is you.

Hearing that gorgeous little voice say to you "I Love You Mummy" is the most rewarding sound in the world.

Khiarna and I when she was about 9mths old

Now, overall, I am positive that the wonderful feelings, the latter of this blog, completely out-weigh the first part. The good totally out-does the bad. And whilst I never acknowledged everything I was told when I was pregnant, about what it would be like once I became a Mother. I am thankful, because one of the best parts of being a parent is the lessons you learn along the way. Finding it all out for yourself. Not to mention all the rewarding parts of parenting. No one could ever prepare you for any of this! And thank God for that! Because I have loved discovering it all for myself :)

My kids mean the world to me, and I mean the world to them. The bond we have is un-breakable, and the love - unconditional.

Izaiah and I when he was about 2 days old

Being a parent is the most rewarding thing I have ever done, and will ever do.

It is the one thing, that when I'm old, and my life is coming to an end, I can look back and be proud! I am a Mother, it's not what I do, it's who I am. This is my life! My kids are my life. They are the reason I wake each and every day, they keep me going through the rough times, just one of their smiles is enough to keep me going a life-time. I am proud to say I'm a Mum! And I hope that one day, my kids will be able to say that they are proud to have me as a Mother. And that I was a good one at that. My few wishes in life are to be a good Mother, and to give my kids the best life they could ask for.

My name's Jacinta...And I'm proud to say, I'm a Mother!