Then and Now

Once I had Jackie, my perspective on life (obviously!) changed.  But what I didn't know was how much it would change.  I became a little more paranoid, sorta crunchy*, and insanely protective of who and what my baby would encounter.  But I'm not telling anyone with children anything new. 

Honestly, I think I was sort of selfish before.  Not intentionally, it's just that something as simple as ordering off a menu at a restaurant while sitting down was a luxury I took for granted.  If the waitress at Denny's were to ask me now how I'd like my eggs--hmmm, over easy, over medium...how about over a plate!  And 5 seconds to scarf them down.  That is all.

Lots of people have told me that once you have a baby, you can't remember how it was before.  That is...sort of...not true.  And kinda funny.  I can remember.  Not that it's a bad thing.  Go on ahead and push your GAME OVER *RESET* button because...welcome to a whole new mind set, rule code, and an entirely new ball game now that someone else is depending on YOU to help raise them into a decent human being.

I like to humor myself and think about the 'then and now.'  My how things have changed.  ;)

Then                                         Now
looking nice..............................making sure I don't stink
counting calories.......................counting minutes til bedtime
dirty mind.................................dirty dishes, clothes, floor, etc. [but still dirty mind ;)]
chai tea......................................"I'm a Little Tea Pot"
changing channels.....................changing diapers
anti-aging cream........................hemorrhoid cream
bookstore...................................booksnore
satellite.......................................night light
itunes..........................................this thing--------------->
trips to the mall..........................trips to the mailbox
big night out...............................Big Bird
10 minute shower.......................10 minutes til I'm asleep
digital alarm clock......................baby = alarm clock
scary movies...............................scary things in diapers
perfume on my neck...................spit-up running down my neck
sucking in....................................bah-ha-ha-ha-ha!
highlights in my hair...................Highlights magazine
rated R.........................................rated tops by moms
crash diet.....................................crash, something else is broken
Book: Pregnancy for Dummies...Pamphlet: When You Think Your Family Might Be Complete
I'll do that tomorrow....................shit, it IS tomorrow
Simon Cowell..............................Simon Says
batteries for tv remote..................batteries for this thing------->
shopping bags..............................bags under my eyes
Katy Perry's "I'm Wide Awake"...Jackson Rinella is wide awake

In life and as a parent, you have to keep changing.  But that's okay. 
It's harder to hit a moving target.

I love the lyrics to this song.  It reminds me to always appreciate exactly where you are with what you have.

She was staring out the window of that SUV
Complaining, saying I can't wait to turn 18
She said I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules
Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school
Then she kissed her head and said I was just like you

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride
In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by
He tells her It's a nice place
She says It'll do for now
Starts talking about babies and buying a house
Daddy shakes his head and says Baby just slow down

'Cause You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater
Dog's barkin', phone's ringin'
One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin'
She keeps apologizin'
He says they don't bother me
I've got 2 babies of my own
One's 36, one's 23
Huh, it's hard to believe

But you're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this
You're gonna miss this
Yeah, you're gonna miss this

(You're Gonna Miss This
Trace Adkins)

*crunchy (sorry, I realize I'm using a term that some may not be familiar with.  Just click on the link over the word for a simple explanation).

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