Three months being with our little munchkin (and without having a yaya), I can quite say all the cliche things they say about being new parents are absolutely true. It completely turned our life around, not only our daily life schedules but the entire life plan ahead of us. Marriage did change me as a person, yes, but not as much as when the little one arrived. So I'm listing down here the things that have changed so far.
1.) BREAKFAST
The hubby and I used to have our breakfast together, but nowadays, we only do so during weekends. After fajr, he'll prepare his breakfast (I used to do it for him) while I head to the bathroom to prepare my baby's bath. I will have mine after the hubby leaves for work and baby takes her morning nap (yeah, babies sleep a loooot).
2.) WATCHING TV
We used to do it with all our hearts' content. Nowadays, we turn the TV off as soon as baby sleeps. I try to sleep early as well so I won't feel groggy in the morning. Having said that, I will then proceed to...
3.) SLEEP
This is where I made the biggest adjustment!!! Everybody knows how much of a sleepyhead I am. Back when I was having hospital duties, I always find time to sneak at least an hour of sleep, or if I can't, I surely make up for all the lost sleeping hours on my day off. But being a mother??? THERE IS NO MAKING UP FOR IT!! Like I said in one Facebook post, it's like being on an endless perpetual duty without postduty status. Especially that I have no one but my husband to relieve me when I'm drop dead tired. My husband who is equally tired form work. The most difficult was the first two months, I was literally looking and feeling like a zombie! Sleep deprived and still in physical pain from childbirth, this resulted to my postpartum blues. Nevertheless, I easily got out of the dark feeling, thanks to the helpful and supportive husband who does the things when I feel so tired to even cook a decent meal. He even allows me to go on a me time once in a while (problem is, I still can't keep my mind off my baby so I always rush back home. haha!) while he is left at home alone with the baby. I am glad he's a hands on dad. He can do everything except giving her a bath for the reason that she's still very fragile daw.
4.) PEACEFUL MEAL
It is so rare nowadays to have a peaceful meal without my baby demanding to be cuddled or be fed, like yeah, she calls for an attention right before we're about to eat! What I do now that she's three months old is I let her sit on my lap while I eat. Multitasking like that. :D
5.) BEAUTY ROUTINES
Pre-baby days, I can't let a day pass without putting on moisturizers and lotion even if I only stay at home. Nowadays, I even feel lucky if I get to take a bath on time. Lol! Kaya pala sabi nila nakakalosyang maging nanay. But of course I won't allow myself to wither like that only because I became a mom. I still find time to do my regular beauty regimen and I'm religiously doing it not just for myself but for the husband as well. Chos.
6.) GOING OUT/MALLING/TRAVELING
Becoming a mother or a parent is like trading my freedom for this super cute munchkin sitting on my lap right now while I type. Haha! Gone were the days when dating was a regular habit and when we would spontaneously hop on a bus off to somewhere. Nowadays, even going to the nearby mall must be planned ahead of time. Everything has changed. I still dream of traveling to many places with our baby, but perhaps, when she's older and less demanding.
7.) READING BOOKS OR CHECKING SOCIAL MEDIA
I used to finish a book in two, maximum of three days depending on the plot and the book's thickness. Now, finishing it in a week is already a victory for me. Even in using social media, my friends have noticed how my posts became lesser and lesser by the day. Well, aside from the "less social media, happier life" mantra I want to adapt, it's really the lack of time. Now that my daughter is very interactive, I'd rather play with her than check on what's going on with other people's lives.
8.) RESIDENCY PLANS
If I were single, I wouldn't mind where I am going to apply for residency and the amount of time and work it demands. I can live in the hospital the whole duration of training and sacrifice my social life. I am secretly wishing to apply at SPMC in Davao City or NMMC in Cagayan de Oro City, but with my husband's work which is based in Manila, I have no other choice but to apply within the vicinity that is also near our home. I also have to consider the toxicity of the hospital where I would apply because I want to have a life-work balance. I absolutely do not want to miss the important milestones that my daughter is achieving as she grows up. My husband was long prepped as to how it is being a resident and I am lucky that he's been assuring me that I got his back.
9.) HUBBY'S NEXT POST
It is yet too early to plan for this, but hubby has many considerations for his next posting. It should be where I can practice my profession and most importantly, a country that can provide a quality education for our child/-ren. If not for us, I'm sure he would be adventurous and wouldn't mind wherever part of the world he gets assigned like when he was first posted in Nigeria. Lol!
Sometimes late in the night, the husband and I would contemplate a life without our daughter. We can picture a very boring and sad life repeating our routines day after day after day :( While my daughter is peacefully sleeping, I would stand or sit beside her like a creep and utter a heartfelt gratitude to Allah for the biggest blessing He has given us this year. I was ready to give up everything just to have her and I did temporarily sacrificed my profession, hence, she is with us now. Alhamdulillah.
I need to pinch myself sometimes to make sure that I am not dreaming. Everything is perfect. Right now.
