Annabelle has changed our lives in countless ways since she was born 109 days ago. I mean, how couldn’t she, right? We’re now responsible for another human being who relies on us for everything 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
But countless is a stupid word. If you think about it, everything can be counted. So, this morning, I did. In honor of the impending merry holiday, I counted 25 ways Annabelle has changed our lives since September 4. Here goes:
- It’s much harder to have a bad day. Annabelle can turn negativity around in seconds with one of her adorable, toothless grins.
- It’s harder to watch TV and movies. Annabelle makes a lot of noise and is frankly not very polite when we’re trying to watch Breaking Bad.
- The exercise/baby soothing ball is the greatest invention ever. Calm baby, tighter abs, amazing.
- We’ve watched A LOT of streaming shows. You think you’re excited for new episodes of Sherlock and House of Cards? Shoot, I’ve watched Behind the Mask. It’s horrible!
- Free will is a thing of the past. Simply put, you can’t just grab a nap, go for a run, or take a shower when you feel like it. This is a difficult adjustment.
- We clean up human poop now. It’s pretty gross.
- We get peed on. Also gross.
- It’s much harder to go for walks, especially in the winter. Strollers aren’t exactly easy to maneuver over bricks and cobblestones.
- People like us more now. We’ve hung out with family and friends more time in the last three months than we had in the past three years. (Whatever. We can see right through all of you.)
- We’re more careful with our money. (Duh!)
- We’re more aware of the challenges of living in a 725-square-foot apartment. I’m speculating here, but I think Oscar is mighty aware of it, too.
- We sing and dance a lot more. (If you know Bridget, you know she’s always loved putting people’s names into song lyrics. This has now reached epic proportions.)
- We have excuses for social events we don’t want to attend. (Oh, you’re cousin’s first birthday? Gee, yeah, we’d love to, but you know, Annabelle …)
- It takes much, much longer to leave the house for anything.
- We’ve realized we need a bigger car.
- Baths, which tend to be relaxing, are now stressful. (They are getting better, but it’s still no picnic.)
- I now read books about women leaders and feel inspired for my daughter.
- I don’t immediately change the channel when I see WNBA highlights. (I change it, of course, but it takes a few seconds longer now.)
- A good night of sleep means something completely different now.
- Bedtime on Saturday night is no different from bedtime on Tuesday night.
- Our iPhones are basically just glorified cameras now.
- This year’s “family vacation” was spent in Cambridge. I was going to buy a souvenir, but I realized I already owned everything.
- We talk about daycare more than you talk about food, beer, music, and sex. Combined.
- We’re happier people. I know there’s a lot of debate about having kids vs. not having kids. There are certainly pluses and minuses on each side. For us, though, good God she’s awesome.
- It’s going to be the best Christmas we’ve ever had.
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