There are a few things that I wish I would have known two and a half years ago when I was pregnant with Little Lady about parenting...
1. I wish I wouldn't have bought a crib. I'm an avid co-sleeper and I love it. And although sometimes the foot in the face or the head in the back isn't the most comfortable way to sleep, I wouldn't trade it.
2. In a bit of an extension to number 1, I wish I would have bought a more expensive/nicer pack and play. I bought a second hand one and while it's nice, I really wish I had one of the fancier ones. Since, we didn't use the crib much (I do plan on putting it up for Miss L because I do use the crib when I'm cleaning;)) I used the pack and play A LOT. It's where Little Lady slept when she was a tiny baby. It's where she played when she learned to crawl and I needed to corral her. It's where she slept when we went camping. That thing has been everywhere. I plan on using it more with Miss L too because as much as I love co-sleeping and even though I have a king size bed, I'm hoping that she really REALLY likes sleeping in it.
3. Kids stick everything in their mouths. From when they are really little and it's the first sign that you have that they are teething to when they are two and for some reason they are still going to want to stick things in their mouth. It's grosses me out. It freaks me out. I have a huge fear of choking. But, they will be ok. They might get sick. But, they are still going to do it.
4. Being a parent gives you irrational fears. From checking to make sure the house is locked 5 times before going to bed because someone might come in the house and take them. To not turning the ceiling fan on high because it might fall off the ceiling. Like I said completely irrational. The other day we were driving behind a truck that had the American flag attached to the bed of the truck with some flimsy stick and my thought was that I hope that pole didn't break because it could come through the wind shield. Who thinks of this stuff, apparently I do.
5. They grow up way to quickly. As I ready myself to watch my step daughter walk through the doors of high school to watching Little Lady walk through the doors of a local church to her first CDO/2 year old pre-school, it reminds me to soak them up. Treasure them. Love them. Tell them that every day. Take mental pictures of them every day because they do grow. WAY.TOO.QUICK. My step daughter was 7 years old and in 2nd grade when the Big A and I started dating and now she is starting high school. I remember when she would wear orange athletic pants and a red t-shirt with bright green nikes and she could have cared less if it matched. Now she has to be put together to run to Target with me for pull ups at 9:55 at night. So yes, I have seen it happen to my husband first hand.
I'm sure there are others and I'm sure I will come up with other list for it in the future because if there is something I'm good at doing, it's making lists. Now, onto my to-do list!