Every woman expects to go through changes when becoming a mom. You plan for stretch marks, more frequent bathroom breaks, and sleepless nights. There is no questioning that motherhood transforms you into an entirely different person.
What I was not expecting were the superhero powers that are granted to me during pregnancy and into motherhood. Your little bean is like your own personal radioactive spider infecting bestowing upon you gifts that, while may not help you save the world, will help you through parenthood. Here are some of my powers:
- I can hear EVERYTHING. I used to be a heavy sleeper. Like, sleep-through-a-fire-alarm heavy. That started changing during pregnancy number one and has only gotten better (worse?) once I was pregnant with #2. I can hear when one of my kids rolls over upstairs. I can hear them (and my husband) snoring. I can hear dogs that are miles away. And though this particular gift can be a nuisance at night, you can bet Cap’s Shield that I use it to my advantage during the day. My boys don’t sit still at all, but even if they get out of eyesight I can hear exactly where they are in the house and what they’re up to.
- I can smell a dirty diaper in 0.2 seconds. This was another sense that got heightened during pregnancy, but luckily the nausea that came with it didn’t stick around! This one also works as my Lasso of Truth since my oldest likes to tell me he does NOT need to use the restroom, even though we both know better.
- I see all. Growing up I always heard the expression “moms have eyes in the back of their heads, so you better be good at all times.” I never truly believed it, but I also knew my mom saw stuff that was definitely not in her line of sight. Now I get it. Our peripheral vision can pick up WAY more than it used to. Plus, there is the sneakiness resourcefulness of using the reflection off the TV, mirrors, and pictures on the walls to see what our little angels are up to without giving away our location.
- Super strength! This shows in many different forms, so please don’t picture me outside lifting cars or stopping trains. Physical Hulk-strength is put to the test during labor and delivery, and on both occasions for me there were times of doubt. But just the thought of seeing my baby gave me super human strength and I made it through naturally. Emotional and mental Bruce Banner-strength is put to the test EVERY DAY of parenthood. Again, I have had my moments of weakness, but overall these kiddos have made me tougher than I ever thought possible.
- Cat(woman)-like reflexes. I was not always a quick and coordinated reactor, but that has been greatly improved. I have caught a wobbly toddler whose confidence was stronger than his stability. I have caught falling bottles and toys and deflected ones being thrown at me. I have stopped spit up from hitting many different surfaces. Most of the time I am shocked with my own response. Did I really just do that?
These magical little beings I get to call my kids have given me some amazing mom-powers. But, even Superman has his Kryptonite and they are definitely mine. They know exactly what buttons to push, and they know the right moment to cripple all my powers with a hug and a kiss. The good, the bad, and the crazy, I wouldn’t trade this SUPER mom life for anything.
