10 Things I've Learned While on Maternity Leave
[Thanks to Erin Puckett Breedlove for inspiring this list and letting me straight-up copy a couple of these points!]


10. Just because something is a "natural process" doesn't mean it will be easy or happen without effort. This should be applied to everything you think (during pregnancy) will just "work itself out."  It will...just not necessarily smoothly and/or without tears.

9. Breastfeeding is intense. 
It hurt for the first 6 weeks (and still sometimes does!) and requires me to be "on call" all the time, non-stop. Don't get me wrong, it's flippin amazing...but it's a lot to manage.

8. Some (read: all) projects will just have to wait. 
Maternity leave is not a "stay-cation," nor does it allow much free time for anything not absolutely necessary. Any day that I take my vitamins and get a shower is a WIN.

7. The age-old "sneak pee" on the changing table is not just for baby boys anymore.

6.  Curdled milk is what babies spit up and it will go down your pants and all in your hair.

5. Baby poop velocity is FOR REAL and not to be underestimated. If you wait, you will pay (in loads and loads of laundry).

 4. Contrary to your worst fears, 9 out of 10 adults you encounter in public won't judge or shame you. They encourage, try to help and genuinely celebrate your little love-muffin!

3.  Any errand/meeting requiring you to leave the house will take thoughtful planning and more time than you ever thought necessary. Being on-time becomes the cherry on top!

2. Childrens' books teach grown-up lessons. I have cried, laughed out loud and written lines down for future reference...in the same instance where it put my LO right to sleep!

1. This baby is the coolest, best thing I will ever do, and I'll spend the rest of my life thanking The Lord for making me a "mommy."