My husband and I were married 1 week after we graduated college, and after 2 years of marriage we were ready to grow our family. We were elated when we found out I was pregnant, but like many new parents we had no idea what to expect.

We began our journey of preparing for our baby, and since our son was born we have learned quite a bit about transitioning from 0 to 1 child.

Financially:

• Well, paying for daycare sucks.   We researched schools before our son, Turner, was born so we knew what we were getting in to. But once the money started drafting from our account, it was an eye opener for our budget.Having a child has impacted our ability save and spend like we used to.  I’d much rather spend money on my son than myself now, but I can say that making a budget prior to having a baby is a good idea.  Make sure you can afford a little one before you bring it in to this world.

Social Life:

• I knew I would be spending much more time with my baby and husband after having a child, especially those first precious weeks, but I didn’t realize how much it would change my social life. Don’t get me wrong I still go out with friends, but it’s much different now. Much planning goes in to a night out where my husband and I are both in attendance. I do like to schedule dinner or drinks with my girlfriends or co-workers at least every other week, while my husband stays with my son at home. And vice versa.

I do wish we would have taken advantage of those early months of our son’s life and gone out more often when he was not walking or crawling, and slept through dinner or a movie. Eating out with an almost 2 year old is a bit stressful.

Personal Time:

• There’s not a lot of me time after having a baby, or “we” time with my husband for that matter. I actually made it to the gym multiple times during the week before having my son, now it’s rare. I exercise now by taking my son for a walk, and doing pushups and lunges at the park. There’s not as much silence now after having a child, but that’s perfectly fine. His laughter is enough to make the worst day ok.  My husband and I spend a lot less time together just the two of us. By the time we get to bed, we’re so tired from work and playing with our son, we barely can get the words goodnight out before we pass out.  That’s why we like to plan lunch dates, mini-weekends together sans baby and a long vacation during the summer.

Quiet:

• The quietness in a home without any children to a home with just one child is much different. Crying, fussing, screaming. You add that noise plus a lack of sleep, and you’ve got a tough day. You never know what type of temperament your baby will have. There was no way I would have been able to prepare for a baby with colic and acid reflux, and nothing….nothing can prepare you for the sleep depravity. People will tell you it’s just a phase, and soon you will get more than 3 hour spans of sleep…you will roll your eyes, but just know that it WILL pass. My son didn’t sleep through the night till he was 1, and my family wonders why I don’t have a 2^nd baby (hello full nights sleep!).

Before I had my son I felt very prepared to be a new mom, as I had been an active aunt of my sister’s 4 little girls. Although I did just spoil the crap out of them, and give them back to my sis when they started crying. All I can say is nothing can truly prepare you for the transition from 0 – 1 children, but it is amazing how your mother instincts kick in the second your baby is born.

:: When was {or when will} your first born, born? ::