42 Changes

What changes when you have a baby? A better question may be: What doesn't change? Here, writer and mom Rebecca Wolf lists her most notable post-baby observations. Then scroll down to read our favorite comments from readers about how their babies changed their lives.

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.
2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid. [See reader's perspective in #22 below]
3. The sacrafices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrafices.
4. You respect your body...finally.
5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.
6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.
7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.
8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.
9. Your heart breaks much more easily.
10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.
11, Every day is a surprise.
12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Horray for poop!)
13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.
14. You become a morning person.
15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

From Readers...
1. You discover how much there is to say about one tooth.
2. You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth.
3. You now know where the sun comes from.
4. You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle that those shoes that you've been dying to have.
5. You realize that although sticky, lollipops haev magical powers.
6. You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night.
7. Silence? What's that?
8. You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having.
9. You discover an inner strength you never thought you had.
10. You no longer rely on a clock- you baby now sets your schedule.
11. You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one.
12. Your dog-who used to be your 'baby'- becomes just a dog.
[Many readers begged to differ, saying things like "I disagree with #12. My dogs are my additional children." "Nothing about previous babies, whether two or four-legged, changes when a new miracle comes along." "My dog will never be 'just a dog,' and "This is sad to me. My dog is still my baby too."]
13. You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late.
14. You learn taht taking a shower is a luxury.
15. You realize that you can love a complete stranger.
16. You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place.
17. If you didn't believe in love at first sight before, now you do!
18. You start to appreciate Sesame Street for its intellectual contibution.
19. You have to quit watching the news because you see every stroy from a mother's perspective and it breaks your heart.
20. You just plain love life more - everything comes together and becomes better because of one tiny person and your love for them.
21. You finally found out the real reason you have those breasts.
22. In response to #2 [above], I'd say that you where once afraid, you're now fearless. I was always very timid and shy and let myself get walked all over...but now where my kid's concerned, I'll speak my mind and really connect with my inner "b"!