Learning as I go

Yep, that is the name of my blog. I don't think I've ever written a post that actually relates to the title of my blog. I think I put a lot out there, and the learning part of it remains internal for me, as I just like to document certain things that happen around here - whether it is about my life, Beatrice's life, Olivia's life, or Josh's life. In any case, let me get to the point already. This post is about those things that I have learned over the years in being a mom, brought to you in lovely bullet point form:

• What happens in a diaper, sometimes doesn't stay in a diaper.
• The second that you are ready to shut your eyes and drift off into sleep, your newborn will loudly awaken, and you'll be up for a good hour after that. Be prepared with TiVo’d programs.
• A swing for a newborn can be either friend or foe. Friend for some quiet time for the adult, foe for the puke that follows after being in the swing for an hour or so...
• Solid sleep is a thing of the past, but we get it more often these days than in recent years. Am blessed.
• Bouncy seats are the best invention ever. How come they don't make these for adults?
• Once the toddler years begin, the only restaurants that are kid-friendly zones are places like Sweet Tomatoes and McDonalds. If you go somewhere else, you will apologize to everyone around you and not show your face there again, or for a few months at least.
• A toddler on the top bunk of a bunkbed is not conducive to potty training through the night.
• The box that a toy comes in is often funner than the toy itself. Buy a bunch of boxes instead of a bunch of toys if you're trying to save some dough.
• When blankies go missing, it is just as scary as losing your purse.
• I never thought I would see Top Ramen noodles again after college. I have seen them for a few months straight in our house now. I sort of have a rekindled love for them.
• Nothing grosses me out anymore. I've seen it all and it has all been on me at some point - whether puke, poo or pee. Shit (or pee or puke) happens.
• Showing your child how to pee in the zoo parking lot is not a good thing, especially when it crosses over to them going on the grass in the backyard, you know, just because they wanted to and thought it was neat. Still trying to unlearn this one.
• Band-aids and ice cream can fix just about everything.
• They're sponges. Watching what you say is priceless, unless you want to hear the conversation you had with someone else replayed over and over again, and at an inappropriate time.
• I never thought I would watch some movies so many times. I thought I watched a lot of reruns between Friends and 90210 before I had kids. This doesn’t even compare.
• Two girls means having two of everything. Not two of the same thing in a different color. They have to be exactly the same.
• Grandmas and grandpas can teach children more than we know, and they will listen to their grandparents more than you.
• Seeing life through the eyes of a child. Stopping to smell the roses and such. It makes you realize what is important in life and that you wish time could stand still.
• The words "I love you" coming from your child mean more than anything else in the world. (Runners up include "please", "thank you" and "I missed you"...)

My list could go on and on, really. So, is there anything you've learned that you want to share?