But you never told me so~**

I remember how people told me about the wonderful things about having a child. However I don't recall any single person telling me the challenges and downsides that accompany with the previous little angle. So here is my version of "10 secrets that new moms won't tell you".

1) Attention, please (not)

When you are expecting, you automatically get LOTS of attention. It is almost like an instant thing that comes with a purchase and sometimes you just don't have a choice but to be a center of attention. People also give you sympathy more than you ever want especially when you are in your last trimester and you look like you are ready to pop. You want to tell them that you are just prenant, not dying. Strangers in the grocery store would come up to you and talk to you as if they know you forever and start telling you about "things".

2) People no longer recognize your existence
If you survive and get past stage #1 above, I am happy to tell you that you can now relax a bit. The minute you pop that baby out, boy oh boy, people no longer care about you. All the attentions shift to that precious little bundle of joy..forever...YES i mean "FOREVER".

3) Your chance of divorce increases by 100%

That's right! The lack of sleep + frustration of new parents + intervention of well intentioned parents and in laws = a diaster which results in a total meltdown. You never realize how much anger you can have towards your partner until you have a baby. For newlyweds, please wait and enjoy your time as a couple before you head down that direction. Baby brings joy along with stress, frustration and unpleasant mood swing. It takes more than putting a bottle in their mouth to keep them from crying.

If you are a type of person who visualizes that a baby will complete a picture, a baby will make a relationship between man and wife stronger than ever..you are totally daydreaming. While it can be true, it takes so much of your sanity and energy to work as a team with your partner to build a "strong" relationship when you are tired and sleep deprived. Your "perfect" husband (or wife) can be a lousy and mean person that you have never seen.

5) You are a paranoid freak

When you are a brand new mother, you can't help but be concerned about EVERY little thing when it comes to the health and safety of your little angel. People tell you that you overact and are a overprotective mother.

6) You are no longer yourself

It happens when you spends day and night caring for your helpless little baby who entirely depends on you to feed, to love, to cuddle, to change, to rock, to play and etc. You simply realzie that you don't have time for yourself anymore.

7) Lack of sleep is a thing of the present and the future

Baby will sleep through the night after 3-6 months. Those liars! If you are lucky, your baby may sleep through the night for you to enjoy your beauty rest. Most likely, he or she stilll wakes up a few times at night proably until age 4-5 (years old)! There is always soemthing after another when you have a child that keeps your baby (and you) from sleeping through the night. Illness, teething, nightmares, night terrors and so on. Children go through different stage and challenge in their lives and I won't say that things get easier as they get older. On the opposite, the older they get, the more challenges we face as parents. Boy..I won't be prepared when my little girl becomes a teenager. That seems like the worst nightmare but I still have over 11 more years (phewww!)

8) You do not always like your child

When you a part time caregiver or babysit a child temporarily, it is DIFFERENT than when you are a full time caregiver/parent. Temper tantrums are not fun to deal with when your cute little angel turns into a little devil.

9) You have more meltdowns than you can imagine - no further explanation for this one

10) All of sudden you understand all parents out there

I can relate this one to myself as I was not a mother material or a kid friendly person AT ALL in the past. As mean as it sounds, I would rather get a dog or a cat rather than having a child. I used to give a "mean" look to the parents who can't seem to control their young children in public. Now I am in their shoes and I can totally understand how that feels when your child doesn't behave and you just don't know what to do.

By the way, those are my sarcasms of motherhood. You will not believe how much love you can have for a little person. It is the kind of love that you will never experience until you become a mother. Something as simple as little laughs and giggles can change everything in the most wonderful and loving way.

This little rabbit always relaxes in the front yard of my house on hot days. The mulch is moist and cool, perfect for him or her to chill out. I filled up a small container of fresh water and threw some veggies out for this little rabbbit, not sure if he/she ever eats it.