"32 Things That Change When You Have a Baby"

Babycenter.com sends me e-mails on a daily basis with loads of information about pre and post baby stuff along with coupons and updates on how my baby is growing. (Expectant mothers - this is a great site that you should look into!) Today they sent me this wonderful article by Rebecca Woolf that gave me some beautiful insight on having a baby.

You hear all the time about how hard raising kids is and how it is the hardest thing you will do. It is nice to know that there are MANY positive things about it as well - which is what makes it worthwhile. Although all of the things listed are not necessarily "positive" things, they are things to think about and made me feel very uplifted when I finished the article.

Here is the article: (source: http://www.babycenter.com/0_thirty-two-things-that-change-when-you-have-a-baby_1452535.bc?scid=momspreg_20081104:2&pe=2Uw535H)

What changes when you have a baby? A better question may be: What doesn't change? Here, writer and mom Rebecca Woolf lists her most notable post-baby observations. Then scroll down to read our favorite comments from readers about how their babies changed their lives.

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.
2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.
3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.
4. You respect your body ... finally.
5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.
6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.
7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.
8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.
9. Your heart breaks much more easily.
10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.
11. Every day is a surprise.
12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)
13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.
14. You become a morning person.
15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

And from our readers...
1. "You discover how much there is to say about one tooth." — Ashley's mom
2. "You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth." — Anonymous
3. "You now know where the sun comes from." — Charlotte
4. "You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have." — Sophie's mom
5. "You realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers." — Roxanne
6. "You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night." — Kellye
7. "Silence? What's that?" — Anonymous
8. "You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having." — Brenda
9. "You discover an inner strength you never thought you had." — Ronin and Brookie's mom
10. "You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule." — Thomas' mom
11. "You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one." — Jaidyn's mom
12. "Your dog — who used to be your 'baby' — becomes just a dog." — Kara
13. "You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late." — Tracey
14. "You learn that taking a shower is a luxury." — Jayden's mom
15. "You realize that you can love a complete stranger." — Dezarae's mom
16. You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place. — Arizona
17. If you didn’t believe in love at first sight before, now you do! — Ciara

See? Don't you just feel happier? I am so excited to have the opportunity to be Abby's mom. It is so amazing to me that a loving Father in Heaven would trust me with such an important role. I am so grateful for a loving and supportive husband who has been there for me every single step of the way so far and will continue to stand by my side forever. He has been the greatest blessing I could have ever hoped for. We are excited to start this parenting journey together and maybe someday in the next year I will be able to make a list of my own!

Love from the Bentley Family