Within 8 years after I graduated, I have stepped into these few different phase. From singlehood to wifeyhood follow by motherhood and now housewifeyhood.
Party/Clubbing & Outdings
During the singlehood day, outdings and partying without any restriction. Now with kids and being their sole caregiver, going out needs to be carefully scheduled.
But I’m enjoying every moment of it. Look at all the candid shots I manage to take when spending time with my kids. They never seized to make me laugh.
Sleep routine
Now, the last thing I think about each night before I sleep used to be…
“what to wear to work”
“what problem going to face with users and how to answer them”
etc etc etc.
Now the only thing that I think about before I go to sleep each night is usually…
what to cook the next day, what bill is dued and what household items needs to be replenished
How housewifey!
I was someone who loved to sleep. I could sleep the whole day and still sleep at night. I don’t remember what it’s like to sleep the whole night through anymore. I get up to check that the kids have not kicked off the blanket, I get up to nurse WH even at 22months old.
Cloths
I used to be able to wear anything I wanted without having to think if what I was wearing was suitable for nursing on demand. I could wear frilly underwear and not horrible nursing bras.
Out and About
Go for short holiday at a moment notice. One bag for the both of us. Pack books or trashy gossip magazines to read while on holiday. No chance of that now. Packing to calculate how many diapers to bring, how many sets of clothes in case the kids dirtied themself, if we need to pack baby food, remember to pack baby shampoo, baby bath, sunblock, nappy rash cream, children paracetamol (just in case), baby toys, baby stroller, etc, etc, etc. Fortunately, it’s easier with WH as he’s breastfed, so only have to bring hot water bottle and formula for JS. When she was younger, there were much more things to pack(baby bottles, sterilizing container and tablet, washing up liquid and bottle brush.) Have to try to relax while keeping an eye on the children, to make sure they’re safe.
Before children, we started on our journey whenever we felt was right. Absolutely no hurry. We can choose to drive straight to our destination or make stops whenever we wanted to. When travelling with children, we need to plan the timing for the journey. Start too early and the children haven’t had enough sleep so higher chances of them being cranky. Start journey too close to their lunch time, then we’ll have think about stopping for lunch. How far is our destination? How many hours will it take to get there? Will I need to pack some snacks and water in case the children got hungry or thirsty? Do they need to make toilet stops? If we’re arriving after the children’s dinner time, need to think about packing their dinner.
Before children, we had a whole library of videos. We watched movies after movies in our TV room. We still have a video library. Only now, the library is made up of Barney videos, , , Sound of Music. Grown-up movies are watched only when the children are in bed, mostly by hubby alone.
Before children, eating out meant having what we fancied. Now we have to think if the place we’re going to will have food suitable for the children.
Before children, going to the public toilet meant just going to relieve oneself and wash hands after. With children, the steps to tak: Bring the child into the toilet stall, find a place to hang handbag and child’s bag. Make sure the child relieves him/herself without wetting his/her pants then cringe when the child puts his/her hand the toilet wall and on whatever is in the toilet. Pull up the child’s pants and instruct child to stand still while you take your turn. Tell child not to open toilet door. Bear embarrassing remarks from child. Push tap to start water flowing, pick up child who is too short to reach the sink to wash hands, try to reach for handsoap without dropping child while trying to stop handbag from slipping down the shoulder, then try to push tap again to wash soap off the child’s hands. Finally, dry hands. Phew! Have to deal with the occation complaints from kids that the toilet is dirty and she refused to relief in the stinko toilet.
Even with the big lifestyle changes, if I could turn back the clock I wouldn’t change a minute of my life. I cannot imagine myself not having children. The kids bring so much joy in my life just being themselves. I wouldn’t trade anything for the cuddles I get from the both of them.I may have been sleep depraved but nothing can match the times when I’ve held them in my arms or lay down side by side with my kids, nursing them and seeing their beautiful face. The look on their face when they’re nursing. PRICELESS!
Posted by dragonmummy 
Posted by dragonmummy 
