Welcome back to Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF). We give you a sentence and you finish it (however long or short you’d like). Write a post and link it up, or if you don’t blog, feel free to finish the sentence in the comments for everyone to see.
Your Humble Hosts:
Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic (Twitter, Facebook)
Kate’s Can I Get Another Glass of Whine (Twitter, Facebook)
Stephanie’s Mommy For Real (Twitter, Facebook)
Dawn from Dawn’s Disaster (Twitter, Facebook)
Now for Some Rules:
- Please Make Sure to Follow Your Hosts, If You Haven’t Already.
- Make Sure to Read and Comment on at Least Two of the Posts That Come Before Yours.
- Share Your Favorites on Facebook and/or Twitter Using the Hashtag #FTSF.
- Now Make Sure to Link Up Your Posts with This Week’s Prompt Below.
- Enjoy and Have Fun!!
This week’s sentence: “When I was younger, I tried…”
Next week’s sentence to finish: ”When it comes to reality TV shows, I…”
When I was younger, I tried to think that it would be a piece of cake to have a family namely kids. But I had no idea how hard it would exactly be to be a mother and have little kids. I would see people with kids and think these kids they looked so cute. or hear something they would say to find myself smiling. I would even see a newborn baby and my heart would melt and my uterus would do flips.
But seriously, what no one tells you when you aren’t part of this elite group is that this is not an easy job or even one where you get many thank you’s for being on 24-7, 365 days a year. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids,, but man there are days where I wish I could go back to those days when it was quiet and it was just me. Again, I can’t imagine not having them, but the noise level and craziness does make me long for even an hour of peace and quiet.
That said here are the top three things I hadn’t any clue about in my younger days about being a mother and having to raise kids. Many I have blogged or written about before, but it needs to be shared for those who don’t have kids to give you a bit of enlightenment and for those that do and can truly relate, too.
Once This Was Just a Beastie Boys Songs, Then I had Kids and the Meaning Completely Changed!!
- Sleep–First and foremost, I took sleep for granted. I had my fair share of nights where I had trouble sleeping when I was not a mother, but giving birth to a child brings this one to an all new level. I had as many who knows and read this blog, a colicky baby for my first. Emma would sleep all day and then be screaming all night for the first few months of her life. And as much as I tried to nap during the day, when she was asleep I could only sleep an hour at a time. It was a real culture shock for me and remember falling asleep on my feet during the day (something I never knew possible unless you had narcolepsy). And at night, I remember just praying for her to be quiet even for an hour. As she got older, I had my second pretty quickly. Thank god for the fact that Lily was a good sleeper as an infant, but still nothing is perfect and when they are up, you are up. Last night, both my girls were up about an hour apart during the middle of the night. Just as I was starting to drift back off and get comfortable, it was time for the second child to be heard from. Both were short lived episodes and more the I lost a sock or fix my blanket variety versus all out scream feast, but still being up and not sleeping is just that no matter how you slice and dice it. I wish I would have known to get as much sleep as I could back in the day, because sleep is truly a hot commodity that I still haven’t mastered again even when they do sleep all night long for the most part, because I still can’t completely retrain my body after all the baby/kid sleepless nights. Trust me, after you have kids you will never sleep another peaceful night, ever!
My Meals Are Anything But Epic!!
- Mealtime–I vaguely remember a time when I would eat a meal and it would still be hot. Yup, that doesn’t happy very often around these parts anymore. I prepare meals, feed them my kids three times a day and then after each meal that they have finished, I get to eat. And even when I do finally get to shove some of that food down my throat, I have someone needing something and therefore the next bite can wait. And let’s not even get started about taking my kids out to dinner with us. Yes, I have blogged about that hereand won’t rehash that one, but will say it is more fun to have a tooth pulled than eat a meal meal out with my kids. And I hate the dentist, so that says a lot! Again, I wish I would have enjoyed hot meals more before they were no longer an option for me.
Yes, Everyone Is On the Potty Patrol for Me In My House
- Showers/Bathroom time–Yes, I swear there was a time when I could take a crap in peace without someone banging on the door to flush a dead fish. I also blogged about that here, but seriously I used to take a shower and use the toilet without a million and one distractions. I never knew that I with every bathroom trip I took that I would have an entourage to cheer me on. I forgot the last time, I didn’t have someone just barge in and say the “Mommy”. I feel like Lois on Family Guy, when Stewie keeps saying “Mommy” over and over until she finally responds and he quite simply says, “Hi”. I don’t need to have someone say hi to me while I sit on the toilet, a simple give mom her privacy for 30 seconds would be nice, but still so not in the cards anymore. Unfortunately, again no one shared this small nugget with me before my first arrived that someday your bathroom habits are going to be shared with a small mob. I used to have a shy bladder and that got kicked to the curb ages ago, when I learned you have to pee on the go.
Unfortunately, no one ever says “Welcome to Mommyhood”, now here are all the things that you won’t be able to do anymore, but enjoy!! But I digress and onto this week’s link-up fun.
Now tell me, in the comments, about your when you were younger (you’re in good company). Or write a post and link it up! And be sure to share my story with all your FB and Twitter friends. We’ll also be featuring some of our favorites on Twitter with the Hashtag #FTSF and our Facebook pages too, so make sure to follow. Don’t forget to grab a button and put it somewhere people will see. We’d are hoping to keep this hop going strong and continue this for a long time to come!
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Emily says
Yup, can totally relate here. I am now the world's fastest eater, thanks to my kids. Even though they are older now, I still scarf down my food out of habit from their younger years. And it's so funny you mentioned that Family Guy episode because I have a joke with my boys about that when Stewie says, "mummy" over and over. I even put it in my memoir as a nod to that…great post and happy to be linking up again!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Emily and I couldn't help, but give a shout out to Family Guy and Stewie, because sometimes I swear I am waiting to see him in my house by the amount of times my name is used all day, lol!! 🙂 Thanks again for linking up, too !!
Melanie Chisnall says
Oh jeez, I think I'm going to enjoy sleep, showers, and food like gold around here. I've read your posts about this before, but seeing it all together…wow! But you're still smiling and blogging…that gives me hope, LOL! Great blog Janine! Loved it. Have linked up – just need to try and get the button thing working quick 😉
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Melanie. Seriously enjoy them, because they are on short supply even on a good day around here. I showered at 3:30 PM yesterday and then all hell broke out. I never dried and straightened my hair so quickly. But that is another story. Enjoy your weekend!! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Richard and after the day I had yesterday, I truly do need a day off. But FONDUE is so not the answer (maybe the dessert kind), butI got so sick off one of these meals at a famous Fondue chain type restaurant back in the day and still get queasy thinking about it!! That said, I would take a spa day though 🙂 😉
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Steph and coming from you that gives me hope. Seriously thanks. I truly don't want them growing up too quickly, but just want a bit of peace and quiet at times, too 🙂
Christine says
Those years when everyone is young certainly isn't for the faint of heart. I at least get to eat a hot meal these days, as my kids are old enough to know the "Don't speak to Mom about having more to eat until she has finished her plate" rule. However, I don't know the last time I used the bathroom without someone tracking me down. That won't end until they are out of the house. Thanks for hosting the link-up!
kenyagjohnson says
The other night my son and I had a yelling back and forth match. Our rooms are parallel to each other. If I lean over the edge of my bed and he leans over his we can see each other. So the other night (we both have colds) – are supposedly help you sleep meds had the opposite effect. Every time I finally felt my body relax to get a little bit of sleep he would yell over, "Mom I STILL can't go to sleep." I'm pretty sure the last time I yelled back, "Me either if you keep calling me!" Then I felt back, and got up to pat his head and pull his covers up. There's a little snarkiness to, "Welcome to Motherhood" that you know its not all wine and roses. 😉 Visiting from FTSF
Janine Huldie says
Oh, Kenya I love it and seriously you sound so similar to me with the snarkiness, but then at the same time checking on your kid to make sure he was covered up and comfortable. Thanks for linking up with us and very happy to be getting to know you through this 🙂
Kera says
I love your FTSF Janine! I'm definitely going to participate in next week's prompt…when I saw it was about reality TV shows, I figured I had to. And oh mommyhood…I think sleep is the thing I miss the most now a days. Sometimes I wish I could just go to bed whenever I wanted to and sleep the entire night. But who knows when that's going to happen again! And the bathroom lol…nothing like peeing in front of your child as they laugh at you because it sounds funny. I even had Sofia want me to read her a book while I was sitting on the toilet!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks so much Kera. I can say sleep for the kids has gotten better to a degree, but it is still me who doesn't sleep as good as I once did. Guess my body got conditioned to less sleep. As for the bathroom, that is too much with Sophia and I too have been asked to do my fair share of things while I am on the toilet with my kids. I assume this is just being a mother, lol!! Can't wait for next week now and look forward to your link-up post 🙂
Kat Biggie says
So very, very true! I am so proud of you for how well FTSF is doing! you're doing awesome girl! And just know that I vote every day!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thank you so very much Alexa for the comments and the votes, too. I also vote for you everyday and so glad we found each other!! 🙂
Kat Biggie says
There are some pretty funny ones this week!!!
Janine Huldie says
I know and loved yours too 🙂 🙂
Michelle Liew says
I completely understand about how it's difficult to even have a bite without having to do something before the next one! Thanks for sharing, Janine!
Janine Huldie says
Thank you Michelle for reading, commenting and linking up, too 🙂 🙂
Angel Shrout says
Oh how I hear you.. I would like to say it does get better as they get older since my baby is now 13 but now I am up worrying about the older one being out OR trying to get him to go to bed. Bipolar sucks, especially on an upswing where sleep is a rarity
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Angel and you sound like my mom. She tells me all the time to be happy now that they are little and I know where they actually are at night. I will admit I am not looking forward to the teens years with two girls!!
Christy Birmingham says
I have a friend with a new baby (just over a year) and she has explained to me that not getting sleep is common! Oh dear, sleepless nights..!
Dawn says
Great post! Mommyhood is something that most girls dream of, but never think of all the work. I actually didn't want to be a mom and was very fearful when I became pregnant. I guess it turned out alright!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Dawn and I admit I was definitely the girl dreaming about weddings and kids. Yes, I was your typical girly girl, but now as I am getting older, I would like a few days to relive my youth to just enjoy the peace and quiet, lol 🙂
Ruchira says
Oh I could so relate to this, Janine.
Becoming parents changes everything…no late nights and gotta stock up the refrigerator all the time…lol
From one mom to another mom…wishing you a relaxed weekend 🙂
voted for ya 🙂 TGIF
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Ruchira and I glad I am not alone and that other moms, like yourself can relate. wishing you too a great weekend and thank you again for the votes!! 🙂
Chris HyeThymeCafe says
Yup, I used to want a HUGE family – couldn't wait to get married and have kids. The problem is that I have yet to meet my Prince Charming, so it looks like no kids for me – unless I end up adopting at some point. However, having spent a handful of years largely raising a friend's SIX kids (from infant to 8 at the time), I think I'm OVER IT! Not that I wouldn't love to have at least one of my own, but I seriously don't think I have the energy for it anymore!!! Kudos to the rest of you. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Chris, I will say this I love my girls, but after having them, I too am done. I truly don't want them to grow up too fast, but still I am tired and so over it sometimes. Thanks for stopping by and for linking up, too 🙂
Katie humor says
Hi Janine!
When I was young, I tried to parachute out of a tree with a plastic trash bag. Ummm yeah, I probably don't need to tell you how that turned out!!!
Also wanted to let you know that I have your button up and running on my site and I also added your Friday linky button to my blog library page. I also took you up on your offer to swap through Passionfruit. I had never heard of this before! Still kinda new to the blog world.
Thanks!
Katie
Janine Huldie says
Oh Katie, I can imagine how that turned out. Thank you so much for adding both my button to your sidebar and the blog hop to your blog hop library. I have only been blogging seriously since last summer, but thank a lot of wonderful women I have met for teaching me a lot of what I do know now. I am so happy you took me up on the offer. Your swap is up and running now. You will get a renewal from Passionfruits when it needs to be renewed. Just do the same as you did this time and use the swap code, because it is always free 🙂 Thanks again and happy to follow and have you here, too!!
Josie Bisett says
Mine are still all babies and toddlers (three under 4) and at this point I can't ever imagine getting a full night's sleep again! The only time I get any privacy on the lav is if I need to pee in the middle of the night…. But that doesn't help too much with the full night's sleep! Thanks again Janine, loving the link-up this week as always! X
Janine Huldie says
Oh thank you Josie for linking up and your awesome post, too :). I hear you on the privacy in the bathroom being during the night and do true that that doesn't really help with the lack of sleep. It is a no-win situation, I suppose!!
Janine Huldie says
I hear this from a lot of people Kelly and know one day this will probably be the norm for me. I must say I don't want them to grow up too quickly and feel bad complaining, but sometimes just a bit of quiet would be nice 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Kate, so true about the scatter brain syndrome and thinking they would listen when I would say so. Boy was I naive, lol!! At least I know I am not alone. Thanks as always 🙂
Lanaya @ Raising Rea says
Yes, yes, and yes!
To finish the sentence …
When I was younger I tried to pass off my name as Rachel because no one could ever pronounce or spell my name.
Needless to say it didn't last too long because when people would call me by that name I always forgot to turn around and acknoweldge them… LOL
xoxo
Lanaya http://www.raising-reagan.com
Janine Huldie says
Oh too funny Lanaya. I will say this that I was too happy about my name and would have been happier with Jennifer, because that was the popular name at the time, but it wasn't meant to be. And now I am happy with Janine, but could so relate. Love it seriously and thanks!! 🙂
Considerer says
Thanks for the insights. If we ever manage to have children, I'll bear them in mind. Pity I get grumpy with no sleep, but I'm considering co-sleeping, so who knows, maybe it'll be alright.
Janine Huldie says
I think you will be alright, I loved sleep (I mean I love it!!) and have survived. I miss it, but I have survived 🙂 🙂
Maggie Amada says
Janine, my husband warned me before we had kids it would be hard but I had no idea. My little two year old sleeps beside me right now and I'm freaking out thinking I won't get any sleep again tonight, again.
Like you said, though, the rewards are amazing. Children really re-prioritize things for me and help me put things in perspective. I can't imagine I'd feel alright about dancing my way through dinner unless I had kids to blame it on.
Kristi Campbell says
Ah, sleep. Those were the days, huh? And the showers!?!? So much less relaxing with a three-year old opening the door and laughing at me.
Janine Huldie says
Kristi, have now been there and done that. Mine was the two year old whining, laying on the bathroom towel mat on the floor, lol!!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Clark and know exactly what you mean about my perspective shifting from years back!! 🙂
Stephanie Sprenger says
Janine, I seriously loved this! I can relate to everything! I had to laugh at #2, as I just got back from the WORST dinner out with my family! (Post coming soon…) What a great idea for your link-up post. So true, and I feel the same way about wishing I could go back and live a few minutes of my day the way I used to, or at least go back and appreciate it more!
Janine Huldie says
Oh Stephanie, I am so sorry about your dinner. I sadly can relate and have been there. Kevin just said earlier today, we should take the girls out to dinner this weekend. My answer, "Are you on crack?" Seriously, I am the one to do the 40 million potty breaks with them. That alone does not make for a fun or relaxing night to me. I am with you 110% on this one and as much as I love them, just want those 5 minutes back!!
Misty MeetTheCottons says
ok, i want to do this next friday! but, where's the tutorial for getting my little square up there on the blog post? need serous "how-to" help here!
Janine Huldie says
Please do join us Misty. All you have to do is copy the button code above and paste it into your HTML view of your post. It should work when you hit preview 🙂 🙂
Seriously Kate says
This is a fantastic list! And I couldn't agree with you more.
Thanks for hosting such a great link up! I look forward to it each week!
Kate @ http://seriouslykateblog.blogspot.com