Thoughts on Parenting, Experience Level: 3

I thought it would be really fun to put down some of my current parenting thoughts so that a year or nine from now, I can revisit them and laugh hysterically at the optimistic, naive, and energetic parent-to-be that wrote this post.  If you're currently a parent, and you read these and think, "HAHAHA, yeah right!" please feel free to comment OR let me get to the same conclusion on my own. I'll repost someday and validate you, so don't worry.

1. During pregnancy: This is the only item I don't think will change much....I believe in having a relaxed, healthy, and aware pregnancy. So far, so good. I am much more tired than I ever thought I would be which will be a pain when I'm trying to chase other kids around full-time, I'm sure. I've been quite vigilant in cutting toxins out of my daily habits from bad shampoos to white flour, but not driving myself insane over it.

2. Childbirth: We are going to deliver at the local hospital, but with as few interventions as necessary, no epidural, and no pitocin until baby is out. There are a thousand other relevant items on our birth plan, but I don't want to gross you out.  We plan to kangaroo parent and head home as soon as medically possible.

3. Sleeping: We fully plan on using the 12 hours in 12 weeks sleep training plan. It's simple and we know several people who have had success with it with multiple kids. It turns out those kids are the EASIEST kid I know to babysit and put to bed and I'd just be the luckiest to have one of my own.  I also don't believe in having baby in our master bedroom except for naps, early mornings, and bad dreams. The idea is to not invite baby to pee in my one sanctuary, thank you very much. We do, however, have a bed in the nursery, because I'm not that idealistic. I'm sure there will be many rough nights were you will find me curled up around baby in the nursery, hahaha.

4. Diapering: Got our cloth diaper stash all built up and an order for newborn sized non-toxic diapers coming up.  Cloth diapering is my choice because of the incredible cost savings over non-toxic disposables, not because I care about the earth and its overflowing landfills, to be honest!

5. Clothing: The baby is not going to be wearing cutsey-pie outfits every day. If you visit, expect to find her in a gown or onsie with leggings on a cool day, and probably just a cloth diaper and diaper cover on warm days.  I HATE laundering out stains so cute clothes will be reserved for special events.

6. Dogs: My dogs are already very well trained around small kids. With that said, the baby will NEVER be left alone with the pups, not even for a second. Either the baby or the dogs will come with me if I need to leave the room. Since the dogs will listen when I call them and the baby probably won't (at least for awhile), the dogs will probably be hanging with mommy. We have a Roomba that will run every day on the main floor, and the pups will not be allowed in the nursery except when I'm in there. Besides that, I have no plans to keep the house super sterile and the dogs will probably sneak wet kisses in when I'm not looking. As far as I know, no kid has ever died from having a kiss or two from their most loyal friends. (And yes, I know about the roundworm threat, so I will do my best to keep the dog's feet out of baby's eyes.)

7. Life in general: I am not good at sitting at home all day. Dangerous things happen. Walls get half-painted. Much online shopping happens spontaneously. Huge batches of baked goods magically appear and then disappear. My goal is to get out of the house every day for 1-2 walks/jogs and every other day for a real errand where I see real people and therefore have to comb my hair.

8. Marriage: It's not going to be easy leaving baby with a babysitter, but it has to be done. Don and I have weathered a lot like being apart for the first two years we were married, so there's no reason to start neglecting "us" now, is there? 

Whew, being a parent sounds exhausting. I think I'll go nap now.