A Mommy Is Made Again

I'm a planner.
A former news producer.
The type of person who makes lists for other lists for more lists.
My wedding was choreographed to the T -- the DJ was provided a laminated set list and the catering director was given a 3-ring binder outlining the day's events. There were footnotes and asterisks galore.
So naturally when I was "blessed" with a scheduled C-section for this pregnancy, I was elated to have an opportunity to once again put on my producer shoes.
There was a plan in place to ensure that Mackenzie was properly taken care of, that every nook and cranny in my house had been cleaned, that my fridge was abundantly stocked and -- most importantly -- that my toes were perfectly manicured.
As it turns out, nature is the mother of all mothers and Baby # 2 was determined to make his entrance into the world 16 days earlier than his due date and nine days before his scheduled Cesarean birth. All the planning -- regardless of the producer's attention to detail and despite her controlling manner -- went flying out the window as fast as labor progressed.
Braden Douglas Rohrbeck's early arrival meant having our neighbor run over to stay with Mackenzie until my parents arrived, dust bunnies lingering in corners, more condiments than milk in our fridge, and chipped polish on my toenails... a fact I lamented on the operating table as the Obgyn starting cutting.
Alas, all was forgotten once I heard that cry. Tears of joy filled my eyes as my son was lifted in the air all naked and exposed and perfect.
My biggest fear throughout this pregnancy was that I wouldn't have enough love to go around. How can anyone or anything replace the adoration you have for your first born? How do you carry enough love to share it equally among your children? How can the second ever be as special as the first?
My love for Braden began long before he made his grand entrance into the world. There's nothing quite like the experience you have as a mother carrying your baby in the womb. The bond you feel is instantaneous and only grows stronger with time. But I still had my doubts. How would I ever be able to love someone the way I love Mackenzie?
As I held Braden for the first time I realized that -- indeed -- we are built with an unlimited capacity for unconditional, unwavering, undying love for all of our children. The only thing that changes with a new baby is the size of our hearts, which make room for more love.

10 Reasons My Hospital Stay Will Be Like a Vacation

1) Catheter = No need to get up and pee every 10 minutes.


2) When else will I be able to stay in bed all day long?


3) Pudding, Jell-O, ice pops


4) Doug will be on diaper duty for at least the first 48 hours.


5) I won't have to bathe anyone... Including myself.


6) The meds are amazing.


7) No laundry, no dishes, no fixing dinner, no cleaning up toys


8) The only nap time I have to worry about is my own.


9) I can wear my "sick pants" and no one will judge me.


10) Disposable underwear, baby. Yeah!

Why I'm a Mean, Mean Mommy

Ah spring...
The daffodils are in bloom, the windows are open, and my neighbors are once again thinking about calling Child Protective Services on me.  
For whatever reason, I was blessed with a special child. A child with super-human lung capacity. A child whose voice echoes a million miles over. A child who is just plain loud.
And with her recent desire to "express herself" (my mother's euphemism, not mine) Mackenzie has proven her ability to grow louder the older she gets.  The payoff? I'm left bearing the burden.  The burden of being  a mean, mean mommy... One who (gasp!) does everything in her power to keep her child safe and happy. I know what you're thinking... THE NERVE! 

Parenthood

Parenthood.
Some say it's the greatest gift of all.
Others say it will suck the life right out of you.
I say...
Both statements are true.
Becoming a parent will turn your world upside down. Suddenly your entire existence revolves around someone else. Yeah, this is sort of what we tell ourselves when we get married... In sickness and in health, 'til death do us part. But the love you have for your children is something else entirely. There's nothing quite like it.

You Know You're The Mother of a Toddler When...

* You find cups of sour milk hidden around your house
* Random household items suddenly go missing
* It's Elmo's world and you're just living in it
* You stress about the cost of preschool
* Your next biggest investment is under eye concealer
* The time has come to check your potty mouth at the door
* You've mastered the art of steering while shoving various snacks and toys back towards the car seat
* Public tantrums no longer bother you; in fact, you've had quite a few yourself
* You chuckle at the frantic and frightened parents-to-be roaming around Babies R' Us and Buy Buy Baby, all the while wishing you could tell them not to waste any more money baby-proofing and that a couple of falls down the stairs won't cause too much harm
* You've learned that you can stockpile all the Wet Wipes in the universe and still end up with a snotty-nose kid
* You're not the only one saying "No" these days
* Your house has been transformed into a jungle gym
* Your weekly grocery bill has increased substantially in the last several months
* Everything that was once yours is now theirs; just today I had to share my breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even my shower
* You've come to learn that the "Terrible Twos" can strike months before the second birthday 
* Being all alone at the soft play room on a rainy afternoon is your equivalent of hitting the jackpot 
* You can be teetering on the verge of tears and your child will do something that makes you laugh until you do actually cry... Like when Mackenzie made me kiss both of her hands today.  NO JOKE.  
* It's become second nature to refer to that glass of wine/cup of tea/can of soda as "Mommy's special juice."
* You end each day wondering how your little blob of a baby suddenly turned all grown up.