AnchorMommy

Sure signs of mommyhood

May 22, 2009 by Shannon

Two years ago, handling babies — especially newborns — made me nervous. Now, I would snatch one out of another woman’s cart at the grocery store for a quick cuddle if I knew I wouldn’t get hauled off to jail. 

Yep, life sure changes once you have a kid. No doubt. But to me, it’s the subtle things that make you think, wow, I’m really mommin’ it here.

Exhibit A:

I can’t sleep without the soft fuzz of a baby monitor in the background.

The other night, I got all ready for bed and had a nagging feeling that I’d forgotten to do something. Then it hit me — I left the baby monitor in the kitchen. Once I retrieved it and placed it next to the bed, I was out like a light.

Exhibit B:

I can almost sense — down to the second — when Sesame Street, Clifford the Big Red Dog or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse will come on the TV.

I also know exactly how much time each one of these shows will afford me in kid distraction. And when I need more time than the cartoons can afford, I pop in a U2 DVD. I’m not joking — the kid would rather watch a concert than a cartoon. Clearly, I am raising a future rockstar. 

Exhibit C:

I no longer have a purse. I have a BAG.

I began mommy life with what I considered to be a medium-sized diaper bag and a small, fabric bag made by a dear friend. Fast forward to now. The diaper bag often gets left in the car. But never wanting to be caught unprepared, I now carry one gigantic bag, filled with the usual purse items and:

• A diaper or two
• Several child-sized cups of Kix cereal and crackers
• Wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Coloring books
• Crayons
• A bib
• Tissues
• Small children’s books and toys

I think it’s pretty awesome that I often reach for my wallet and pull out a diaper. If only they were actual currency. I’d be freakin’ rich.