New Mom Vocabulary

In the last 16 months that I have been a mom, and a stay at home mom at that, I have found that my vocabulary has changed. I no longer use phrases such as, "I'm late for work", "We need to reschedule this meeting because the parent didn't show up", "Let's implement this intervention and monitor his progress", and "I can't wait to get home and sit on the couch" (I may utter this phrase, but know it is impossible!).

Sometimes I will be reading a news article or even another blog and find myself thinking, "What does that word mean?". I feel un-smart and often frustrated that I no longer use big/long words in my everyday vocabulary, and have therefore forgotten not only how to use them correctly, but also what the words even mean! I do miss being able to articulate my thoughts with my choice of words.

While my vocabulary may have regressed to be able to communicate with my toddler, I have found new phrases that I never dreamed of using before I became a mom. Below are a few that I use the most often:

1. I hate I can't go but......insert any excuse that has to do with Andrew. I hate to miss out on any exciting opportunity to have fun. But, being a mom, I have found that I have to miss some events depending on Andrew's temperament, nap schedule, well/sickness, and babysitter issues. I have found, however, that I don't necessarily miss attending said events. It is much better for me and Andrew if I am around when he needs me most. I am learning that "it's not all about me" at this point in my life.

2. Bad Mama.......How many conversations have I had with other mama's when the phrase, "bad mama" , is mentioned? Only like EVERY time I have a convo with a mom. I say and feel this phrase most everyday. For example, "When my son kept throwing his food on the floor and I had to keep disciplining him, I felt like such a bad mama". Or, "I felt like such a bad mama when I could not comfort my crying/colicky baby and took a shower to get away from his cries". Or, "Am I a bad mama for taking Andrew to the Y when tornadoes are in the forecast?". Some days I think, "I thought I was going to be such a good mama. Why do I feel like a bad mama?" After talking to other mom's, I think we all have our "bad mama" doubts.

3. Did he do a #2 today........I mean, how could I forget the poopy diapers from a teething toddler? That's love, ya'll!! Or God's gift of short memory to moms of teething toddlers! I attended a wedding this past winter and ran into a mom I hadn't seen in a while. She asked me, "Have people started asking you about #2, yet?" I replied, "Well only his doctor, but I try to keep track of how many times he goes #2 a day......" She interupted me, "No, Christy, I mean child #2!" Wow...talk about a mind being in the gutter!

4. No, we don't eat that....... Andrew has put everthing in his mouth from books and tennis shoes to chewed dog bones and power cords. He has sampled leaves, sticks, rocks, and dirt. When he ate fertilizer, however, I almost had to make a call to Poison Control. I am constantly telling him to not eat certain non-food items! I guess that is also par for the course with a teething toddler.

5. Barney's On.....So Andrew is not really into tv, yet. But, he will watch Barney for a few minutes. And, how precious those few minutes are for me! I don't know where Andrew has heard Barney before, but he perks up and dances when the first song of the tv show comes on. I thought Barney was so 1996! But, this is the only show on tv that will hold his attention for more than 30 seconds. He also loves his Baby Bulldog dvd much to his daddy's chagrin. (How's that big word for ya'. And, I'm not gonna tell ya if I had to use the dictionary). We dance and sing "Glory, glory to Ole Bulldogs" all day.

I know that this list and my vocabulary will constantly be altered as Andrew grows up. While I am not using big words, like chagrin, all day to my one year old, I am finding that speaking my new mom langauge is much more rewarding for me.