div id="article" I was thinking about how much my life has changed
since having my first baby 4 years ago. I'm now a work-at-home mom with
two beautiful kids, and I wouldn't give it up for anything! But I
thought I would get my thoughts down in writing, quickly, before I
completely forget what life was like “way back when...”

Then: I'd wake up and start my day with a well-rounded breakfast before getting ready to take on the world!

Now: Coffee. Just coffee. Don't even think about talking to me before I've had my coffee!

Then: A good sleep meant getting 8 hours of sleep.

Now: A good sleep means getting 8 hours
of sleep... per week. Any stretch of sleep lasting longer than an hour
at a time is just a bonus!

Then: “Family Bed” meant an antique bed, passed down through the generations in my family.  An heirloom of sorts.

Now: “Family Bed” means a tangled mass
of toes, elbows, baby sighs, toddler cuddles and sleepy nurslings.  And
more happy memories than any heirloom could ever bring!

Then: A productive day involved going
to work, helping patients (I worked in healthcare), and coming home to
spend some quality time with my dear husband.

Now: A productive day involves getting
out of pj's by noon, or staying in pj's all day but not getting any
spit-up, snot, drool, baby food or some other unidentifiable stain on
said pj's. As for a husband, I have a vague recollection of someone
fitting this description, but I haven't spent quality time with him in
ages. If you see him, will you say hi for me?

Then: I found it easy to get into shape. Eat well and exercise, how hard is that?

Now: It's easy to stay in shape, if the
shape resembles a Teletubbie. Somehow, finding time to work out is
about as elusive as getting a good night's rest. You'd think I expend
plenty of calories each day as I struggle with carseats, diaper bags
and hauling laundry up and down two flights of stairs. I should be
skinny. But maybe I should rethink my diet of leftover mac'n'cheese and
double-double coffees.

Then: I wore a one-piece swimsuit,
self-conscious of my imperfections. I hoped that maybe one day I'd be
happy enough with my shape to get into a two-piece.

Now: I wear my stretch marks with pride,
embracing my amazing body that has brought two precious lives into this
world. And forget the two-piece--you'll be lucky to catch me in
anything made of spandex, unless it's control top panty hose.

Then: Shopping for myself was fun! I could spend a whole day trying on clothes and browsing through a mall.

Now: Shopping with kids in tow is
challenging at the best of times. I don't have time to try things on
while at the store, which may explain why 99% of my clothes have an
expandable waistband. And the other 1% have no waistbands. Mu-mu's
anyone?

Then: I would come home from a long day at work, exhausted.

Now: I wake up exhausted.

Then: Unwinding after a long day meant getting a foot rub and soaking in a tub with a nice glass of wine.

Now: Unwinding after a long day means...
oh heck, who has time for that? I've gotta go put away the laundry
before baby wakes up.

Then: Making a difference meant donating to a charity or volunteering my spare time to a worthy cause.

Now: Making a difference happens every
day as I try to raise my children to become happy, compassionate and
successful people. This is the most worthy cause of all, if you ask me!