Observations on Parenthood

1. I never thought I'd be jealous of my dog until I got up for the baby for the 4th time that night and saw him sleeping so soundly and peacefully.



2. I always thought kids who screamed or cried in the supermarket were brats. Turns out, their parents are probably the ones not giving in to whatever ridiculous request has been made. The quiet ones often have iPhones and cookies in their hands (I am not against a small snack in the grocery store, in particular. I live 25 minutes away and need groceries).



3. I never thought eating in front of the TV would feel like such a luxury until we instituted the everyone-sits-around-the-table-for-every-meal rule a few years ago. Now that the kids are older, we have the occasional pizza party or lunch in the living room and have a blast.



4. I always thought "You'll never see my kid do that", until I had a kid and realized her personality was entirely hers, not created by me. I'm pretty sure everything I had judged in the past has happened at least once between my two kids, including handing over the iPod during the 15 minute wait at the deli line last weekend. Desperate times call for desperate measures.



5. I never thought browsing or lingering in stores was so wonderful until I became unable to do it. At this point, it's hard to remember weekends of having nothing better to do but walk around in stores, grab a lunch and go to a movie. Those were the days...but not really, because...



6. I always thought my life felt a little empty before kids. I had Steve, I had family and friends, but something was missing- a deeper purpose. I found that purpose when I became a mother. I feel complete.