What is it like after the baby comes?

They say a baby changes everything. Oh boy! That is so true! Life will never be the same again once the baby comes.

When I was 16 I got pregnant for the first time. Being young back then, I expected babies would be fun and easy.

My first child was born and I realized babies are so awesome...but demanding. My mother did not even talk to me about what I was going to go through. I knew why she didn't. She wanted me to learn from my mistakes. But it was too late by the time I found out I was not yet ready. I was so overwhelmed. I was upset that my friends continued to enjoy their teenage years while I was faced with the reality that I can't go out at nights because I have a baby to take care of. I couldn't have fun because I had to be a responsible mother. I had a lot of regrets and vowed not let it happen again.

Fast forward 10 years and then I got pregnant again. But this time I knew what was going to happen. This time I may not have my mother and my sister and all my relatives to help me like they did with my first born, but I have my amazing husband who is always there for me. But I was scared because I knew how hard it was especially when you are so far away from your family.
My youngest was born in a way I did not expect it to be (C-section). Recovery was harder than a normal vaginal delivery. But it was an amazing, overwhelming, experience all over again.
I thought that it would be easier because this time I was older and more prepared. But alas, taking care of and raising a baby is hard. You have to be strong physically, emotionally and mentally. You have to have patience like you've never imagined. The newborn days and sick days will deprive you from sleep. You are lucky if you're baby will sleep through the night as early as 2 months. Then comes the day when he starts teething, crawling, and what's next? Walking? Potty-training? Bumps and bruises? The terrible twos?

It is a sacrifice. The way you look at life will change. You will not be able to spend time with your friends like you used to. You will not be able to spend so much time with the activities you love to do. Plus your body changes that you will wonder if it will ever go back to it's pre-pregnant shape again. You have to put aside your own dreams and your own interests. It requires never ending patience and an overflowing of love. It requires to give all of yourself. My advice is to humbly accept all the help you can get.

I don't know how my grandmother and mother and all the other mothers did it. For the record, my grandmother had 13 children. Maybe it requires a lot of children to say it is easy. But I know no matter how many children I would have, it is never easy. It will be sweet and sour. Like those sour patch candies.
But a smile, a look, a touch, a kiss, a word that says "Mama" from your baby will remind you it is worth it all.
Someday my sacrifices will be rewarded.