Mark’s Little Feet

Much has been said and written about having a baby… but how come no one warned me about these ten weird “baby side effects”?

Never mind—let me enlighten you.

These past few weeks have been challenging, as we adapt to each other, and as Mark adapts to the world (what, he couldn’t stay inside me forever!). But we try to keep a sense of humour, and we see it as a fun adventure!

Now here are 10 weir consequences of having a baby.

1) You walk around the house topless. Not in a desperate attempt to look like a sexy French woman, but for easier access to breast and milk.

2) You learn to do everything with one hand since the other one is holding the baby. Yes, that includes making tea (you will never get to drink it anyway, who cares how well-brewed it is!), washing your hands, getting dressed, etc.

3) Your back and your arms are sore from holding said baby (anyone willing to chip in so that I can get a massage?). Oh, and why did I even bother paying for yoga classes when I can perfectly do arm curls exercises with a baby?!

4) You say “pee” and “poop” twenty times a day; it’s like being back in elementary school where toilet humour was considered to be funny. As in “Good job, Mark great poop!” and “Fuck, he peed all over his clothes while I was changing him again”.

5) Laundry is not done twice a week anymore but twice a day (see above, I may feel like a terrible mother at times but I draw the line at dressing Mark in stained clothes even though it’s his pee).

6) You speak in this annoying baby voice you had sworn not to use. Can’t help it—I must be brain-damaged from the lack of sleep.

7) You suddenly remember all the lullabies and baby songs you heard as a kid yourself. Sure, I can’t remember all the lyrics but frankly, Mark doesn’t seem to care if I make them up. I’m a crappy singer anyway, “lalalala” will do.

8) Your hands are dry because you wash them a hundred of times a day (see above for “pee” and “poop”).

9) You lost feeling in your right arm because it is a pillow for Mark when he sleeps. Wrist feels equally numb—can you get carpal tunnel syndrome from a baby?

10) You marvel at how something so small can change everything and everyone around you.

Mothers from all around the world, anything else to add?

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15 Comments

  1. Cynthia November 26, 2012 at 8:58 am

    Thank you for making me not want to have a baby 😉

    Reply
    1. Zhu November 26, 2012 at 11:35 pm

      Eh, some babies are less demanding than a puppy!

      Reply
  2. Alan Froshaug November 26, 2012 at 11:08 pm

    Hi Zhu!

    I sympathize, but did you ever ask your parents what they went through with having you as a baby. Many sleepless nights I would guess. What goes around comes around.

    Reply
    1. Zhu November 26, 2012 at 11:36 pm

      Oh yes, I talk to my mum very often on Skype and she remembers what she went through with the three of us (I’m the older and I have a younger sister and brother). 😉

      Reply
  3. Laurel November 27, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Things I would never have thought of but good to know since we’re trying to have a family.

    Reply
    1. Zhu November 27, 2012 at 8:09 pm

      You will see… you will see… 😉

      Reply
  4. Max Coutinho November 27, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    Hi Zhu,

    Such a cute and funny post at the same time. I can tell you are having fun being a mum, despite all things.

    Vibes of happiness to you (hey, I would offer a massage but I am too far away lol) :D.

    Cheers

    Reply
    1. Zhu November 27, 2012 at 8:10 pm

      Oh yeah, it’s fun…! Challenging but new and fun!

      Reply
  5. N November 27, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    I never walked around topless even my own house, but without a bra that’s for sure.
    Spending days without bothering to change out of pajamas (I am now the proud owner of many, many pajamas), that too.
    Showering 3 times a day (or more), that too (a side effect of breastfeeding for me is sweating a lot ! — apparently it’s common, I had no idea).

    Reply
    1. Zhu November 28, 2012 at 11:39 pm

      Breastfeeding made me super thirsty, and it made me sweat a lot too! I guess it is common.

      Reply
  6. Tu sauras December 5, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    Tu vois qu on peut tout faire avec une main, y compris allumer une cigarette avec une allumette.

    Reply
  7. Tu sauras December 5, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    PS : 15 ans après, tu admettras que j’avais raison.

    Reply
    1. Zhu December 5, 2012 at 11:11 pm

      15 ans? Putain…

      Je l’admets, maître. Tu avais raison. Ça m’a pris un gosse pour le comprendre!

      Reply
  8. Alan Froshaug December 10, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    Hi Zhu!

    Was Nietzsche right? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger? I always wonder why some people say that women are the weaker sex. I am glad to see that you are making through the first period with flying colours. What you don’t know is that he is destined to be a Sens player, no wonder he is tough. Your should consider signing him up as soon as possible. Best to you all from Saskatchewan. Remember conventional wisdom. It gets better!

    Reply
    1. Zhu December 11, 2012 at 11:37 pm

      I hope the NHL locout will be over by the time he is old enough to be drafted though! 😆

      Reply

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