I joined the ranks of the addicted last fall by signing up for Facebook. For the longest time I thought the site was for those quite a bit younger than me but after hearing about so many who were re-connecting with so many individuals from their past, I decided to give it a whirl. I had become more nostalgic in the past few years and was genuinely curious as to what friends from various chapters of my life were doing with their lives.
It took me the better part of a month once I began to figure out the bells and whistles of the various tabs and functions of FB and to actually catch up with everyone who I was finding and those who were finding me in cyberspace. I felt exhilarated at coming across names and faces that were familiar despite the 15-20 years since I last saw or spoken to them.
The whole initial process reminded me of when I reluctantly registered my profile on MATCH.com back in 2001. All my single girlfriends were swearing they were "meeting" cool guys. They all had dates lined up and though none were finding their princes, they were all having a blast. I remember vividly painstakingly drafting my "about me" section and agonizing over what picture to post. I was shocked at the number of emails I got and I spent a ridiculous amount of my free time sorting through them. I had to create a system and make quick gut decisions about the guys. Facebook is obviously different in that I know everyone that is a "friend" and thus they aren't complete strangers however many are viewing my WALL and INFO for the first time in a long time. So updating them with my life's resume is what makes it feel comparable to when I was managing my MATCH profile.
Those who have been active in my life since college know that I ultimately of all my girlfriends who used MATCH, was the only one (and the least expected one) to meet her ROMEO! Dave and I shared emails through MATCH for a week before making plans and meeting for what was essentially a blind date. The rest is history and the butt of many a roast at our wedding festivities.
Anyway, I digress.
If you have been on Facebook recently, no doubt you have been tagged to write the “25 random things about me" list. I realize that some people do not like memes, or they are too busy to write the lists, but I enjoy the occasional one ever so often and I have had fun reading fun and frank tidbits about my FB friends.
Now, there’s a mama-fied version of the FB meme on the BabyCenter community, called "25 random things about being a mom". Here is what I came up with as I continue my maze of first time motherhood!
1. I had no idea that there were a depth & intensity of emotions I had yet to discover before becoming a mom.
2. I had no idea that I would be saying things like "please don't lick the rock" or " please don't put your cars in the toaster" or "please don't eat the dogfood".
3. I had no idea being a very Type A personality that I would be able to embrace dirty hands, spills, poop, throw up and general disarray of my home as I have, however I still cringe at crushed cracker particles, hand prints, snotty noses, muddy footprints on the back of the Volvo's seats and a sticky or dirty floor.
4. I cannot go to bed without every toy put away (Cole helps some and the rest I do after he is in bed); every piece of puzzle put back; every book binding facing up or out (so that he doesn't rip the pages pulling them out otherwise) and every part of anything with parts found and returned to its rightful position.
5. I had no idea that breastfeeding Cole would be the undescribable bond that it was and the only time he would be still for the first four months of his colicky life, really his entire life as he continues to be in motion 90% of time. (Nor did I anticipate breastfeeding for 15 months!)
6. I had no idea that Cole's wonder, awe, excitement, joy and freedom as he experiences life were contagious.
7. I had no idea that Cole would be teaching me more about myself than I would be teaching him about his world.
8. I had no idea that I could function on so little sleep for the better part of two years. Seriously, coming from someone who was miserable pre-child without 8 hours of uninterrupted ZZZs.
9. I had no idea that I would become a pack mule every time we left the house even for the shortest errand. '
10. I had no idea that a 30lb little boy could have enough energy that he could probably light up Times Square.
11. I had no idea how frustrating it could be to make or take a phone call. Everytime I get on the phone, despite having just played for hours, Cole decides to let me know he isn't happy about someone else having my attention.
12. I had no idea that watching my child sleep could be the balm to an absolutely terrible day.
13. I had no idea that I would have to repeat so many things so many times
14. I had no idea that at 18 months, Cole could outwit me already flashing his million dollar smile as he did so.
15. I had no idea that watching my son being wheeled into surgery would cause me to sob uncontrollably and almost vomit in fear.
16. I had no idea that I would have to hold myself back from intervening to let Cole experience falls, disappointments, frustration and playground dynamics.
17. I had no idea how proud I would be of each and every accomplishment and how sincerely surprised I could be when he seemingly mastered something overnight.
18. I wish I could put Cole's sweet, earthy, with a kiss of sunshine smell into a bottle to treasure forever. My brain will remember and savor that scent always.
19. I had no idea how delightful it could feel to have Cole see me after being apart and run full tilt into my arms saying in his lilting voice MOOOOMMMMYYYY!
20. I had no idea how purely entertained I could be by Cole's antics (most of the time).
21. I had no idea how irritating (like nails on a chalkboard or the mess packing peanuts make) WHINING could be.
22. I had no idea that I would cherish the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom. I honestly thought I would be a mom who went back to work. Until I was a mom I wasn't a mom and thus, the decision became quite clear for me on December 6, 2006.
23. I had no idea that my sense of hearing would intensify so greatly that I could wake from a dead sleep if a pin dropped.
24. I had no idea of the immediate adrenaline rush that can occur when you feel your child's pain.
25. I had no idea (despite every parent I know telling me so) how quickly time would pass and how fast Cole would change and grow.
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