Thursday, March 3, 2011

The First Six Months

So I have six month old babies. Me. I have babies. And they're six months old!! It's still weird for me to think that I have children. I had to pick up a prescription for Sweet Potato's eczema and the pharmacist asked if I had any questions about my son's prescription. Totally weird. (And by the way, his skin is so much better after only a few applications of the prescription.)

The past six months have turned my life upside down -in a good way. My priorities have completely changed, my spending habits have changed, my free time has changed, my work schedule has changed, my emotional state has changed! I don't see any of these changes as bad things.

In the past six months:
  • I haven't purchased an article of clothing, a shoe, a coat, a purse, even new lip gloss for myself. (I realize if I couldn't fit into my pre-pregnancy, pre-fertility treatment clothes and shoes, I wouldn't be able to say this.)
  • I spent more than half of the time not knowing what day of the week/month/season it was as it didn't really matter.
  • I learned how to bottle feed two newborns at the same time with one laying on my legs with my knees up and one cradled in my arms.  
  • My knees and left arm ache on a regular basis now.
  • I used to go days without showering and now occasionally skip a day.
  • I experienced anxiety the first few times I was away from my boys. 
  • I've found some great baby purchases on craigslist and sold my dusty treadmill.
  • I paid off my car loan.
  • I use a coupon organizer and BJs club membership.  Budgeting is beyond important for me now.
  • I added discount/savings/coupon blogs to my reader.
  • I have bought and sold at a second hand children's store (including the activity gym the Dynamo is using here).
  • I opened a Target credit card to save 5% on purchases including Target brand baby formula.  (Every little bit helps and I go through a lot of formula.)
  • I joined Amazon.com/Moms and save money on diapers.
  • I discovered new products like Oxiclean, Aquaphor and Mylicon.
  • I stopped using pacifiers, a wipes warmer, SwaddleMes and blanket sleepers. (They never really took to the pacis; the warmer doesn't fit on the changing table along with them anymore; they outgrew the sleepers!)
  • I watched my babies go from wearing preemie clothes to some size 12 months!
  • I have a land line telephone for the first time in ten years.
  • I haven't done any home improvement projects.  (This will be short lived as child-proofing is in my near future.)
  • In a neighborhood I've lived in for less than a year, I've met new neighbors and watched some move away.
  • I've seen generosity towards my children that I did not expect.
  • I've watched my cousin and his wife raising their two year-old twins and learned some things not to do.
  • I've watched my friends with their children and learned some things TO do.
  • I've made some new blogging friends!  And kept some old. :)
  • I've learned how to ask for help, even asking Fabulous D to bring me toilet paper. (She brought me wine and chocolate too.)
  • I haven't forgotten what it was like to be TTC.  It makes me ache for my still-trying, still-waiting friends.
  • I've become even more emotional especially with stories about children.
  • I've made one baby trip to the emergency room. (All is well.)
  • I've skipped dinner more often than I've had it.
  • I haven't used my oven. (Grandma has.)
  • I've rarely stayed up past 8:30 PM.
  • I've rarely slept in past 7 AM.
  • I've allowed my house to be dusty or cluttered with visitors!
  • I stopped recording a soap opera I watched for decades.  I hardly ever watch television.
  • I've changed my work schedule, forgoing a much needed pay increase.
  • I've raised six month-old twin boys with the help of family and friends!  (I have been solo for overnights since month one with the exception of two or three nights.) 

And....  most importantly....  I have not regretted taking this path to motherhood for one second.

It is by far the best thing I have ever done.

10 comments:

  1. A LOVELY post! And, yep - everything's changed and I wouldn't change a thing...

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  2. SO glad to see you doing so well, so happy, so in love with your babies! I was telling a friend about your journey a couple of days ago... so magnificent. xo

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  3. Awww.. this is sweet.. You are my hero and I hope to follow your path.

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  4. Six Months already!!! I love hearing how your life has changed and you wouldn't have it any other way. Enjoy the boys' next six months and being a mommy!

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  5. Happy 6 months!!! like everyone else, I LOVE hearing how you are doing, and it brings tears to my eyes to hear you so happy with having your boys.

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  6. Happy 6 months! Your boys are gorgeous. And yep - definitely the best thing I've ever done too.

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  7. Wow, your sons are 6 months old already!! Happy half birthday! You sound like you are doing so great!!

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  8. Life is crazy...and those boys are so sweet!

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  9. Congrats! The time moves so fast, doesn't it. They just keep getting cuter and more FUN.

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