Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Mom of two.

Last weekend, I went to a bridal shower. The mother of the bride asked me if I was a mom. I said yes and informed her I had two children -- a 3-year-old daughter and an 8-month-old son.

You should have seen the look on her face.

It's a look I'm all-too-familiar with. It's not a bad look, like a stink-eye or a crusty (though I have received my fair share of those, too). Just a look of complete surprise and disbelief.

I know -- I look like I could still be in high school. I'm short, skinny and I have a round, pixie-like face with an upturned nose. Someday, I'm sure I'll be glad about my eternal youthfulness. But sometimes, I wish I looked the part of Mom of Two. At least it would make everyday conversations a little less awkward.

Anyway, I have since reflected on what it means to be a Mom of Two. In the past, I've been asked by friends who are embarking on Baby #2 what it's like and how it's different from being a Mom of One. Well, that's a tricky question with an ever-changing answer. Sometimes, having two kids is harder, like when I'm trying to fix Bubby a sandwich and Smush is in his high chair, wailing away and thinking I've abandoned him for good. Or when I'm at the library and Smush has had it with the stroller and Bubby is running rampant through the shelves, giggling up a storm. But sometimes, it's easier, like when I'm writing a blog post and they are happily (for the most part) playing together in Bubby's room. Or when Bubby informs me Smush has a wad of paper in his mouth.

Here's a list of things I've learned about being a Mom of Two:

1) You can never have enough baby wipes and Cheerios.

2) Going out in public takes a great deal of mental and physical preparation. Thank you, Costco, for having double carts. Smart move right there.

3) Planning is essential to survival and sanity.

4) Hulu and/or DV-R is the only way to watch television.

5) It takes a week to read a book I could have finished in two days before I had kids.

6) A shopping trip that involves trying on clothes? Forget it.

7) Don't bother putting on real clothes until you have somewhere to go. They'll just get covered in drool, vomit and peanut butter.

8) You can take a shower in less than 5 minutes if you have to.

9) The Wii and the Exersaucer are fantastic babysitters.

10) 7:00 a.m. is not that early, and 11:00 p.m. is super late.

14 comments:

  1. i dont know if you remember me from highland... my names amanda lines now but my maden name is munden. i think we shared a seminary class at one point?? i dont know it seems so long ago. lol but i am WELL aware with what you mean by this post. i am 24 with 3 kids all 3 and under lol! i get crazy looks all the time and many many comments with how young i look to be having "that many children." i just smile and nod and say life is great im ready for another. then you can believe the looks i get to that one :]

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  2. LOL, love it! In a few months I'm going to do a post like this, but on being a mom of five! Going from one child to any more than that is chaos.

    And apprecaite your youthful look! I feel like I look at LEAST five years older than I am :(

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  3. I can really relate to this! Having two kids is much harder than just the one, yet easier in some ways too. They have each other to play with. It's the best gift you can give them. People usually think I'm 19 ish too, so I know what you mean about the disbelieving looks. I don't mind looking young AT ALL. I hated it in high school but now that I'm 24, I'll stay young as long as I can thank you very much! :) I think I'll wait until you post about being a mom of 3 before we have another. lol!

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  4. I tooootally know what you mean about looking like a teen mom. I know I should love it, but I hate looking young and my husband laughs because I am constantly brainstorming about what I can do to look OLDER. haha! It's worse in LA where women don't start having babies til 35. Even if I LOOKED 23 I would still be crazy. =)

    Loved this post and look forward to 2! (not a pregnancy announcement)

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  5. Sounds like you have figured it out pretty good. :). And yes I can totally 110% relate to the look and I have three!

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  6. People usually think I'm 25 or 26 and then am shocked to find out I just turned 23. :) Either way, I'm glad I'm a young mom, that way I won't still be having babies when I'm 40!

    As for your list of things you've learned with two kids, it sounds like I'm not far off being prepared for #2 to come after all!

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  7. Amen! And I also love the costco shopping carts. I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about being a Mom of Three. Yikes! I'm sure all the rules still apply, only extend the time it takes to go anywhere (I'm guessing).

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  8. Right after I had Macee, my mom, my sister and I went to the pediatrician's office for Macee's first appointment. The pediatrician, while checking Macee, asked me if the father was in the picture. I'm pretty sure I gave her a funny look, because I never would have expected that question. I responded with, "Yes of course, I'm married." And she said, "Oh I wasn't sure. We got a lot of teen moms in here."

    I remember thinking, "Gee, and I thought having a child would instantly age me a few years so people would stop thinking I was in high school. I guess not!"

    We will LOVE looking younger when we are older :)

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  9. Ha ha. Love the 7am is not early. You are so right! I miss sleep!

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  10. I get the- I'm shocked you only have three children.... until they find out I'm only 24!
    I get what your saying though. Its so crazy what you learn being a mom. I especially like your #7 as that is a rule I live by.
    Oh and #5... my book list is taking FOREVER to read!

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  11. I'm not sure what people think of me having a baby. In fact, here in Rexburg, I am probably the older ones to have a baby. It;s just the cool thing to do here in Rexburg so I don't think it's much of a shock to other people.

    Number 10 resonates with me. It's only 9:40 and I feel like half my day is already spent. Time to feed baby...

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  12. You know... I think the same thing about myself. Im almost 30 (one month and counting) and I remember when I was a kid, I'd look at 30 year olds and think wow... they're OLD... Here I am, about to be that dreaded age and I dont feel old... I wonder if I will ever look the part of a mom and wife in her 30's!

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  13. Yep, I can totally relate to this. I was out with my girls once and a woman thought I was they're babysitter! Uh...no. It was pretty funny. And although I don't know what being a mom of one is like, I think you nailed that list. It's 100% true!

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