Thank you to Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP for sponsoring this post All opinions, as always, are 100% my own.

Last week on my Instagram “walk and talk” stories, I talked about how after becoming a mother, weekends are often way more work than actual workdays. On Sunday nights, I’m usually exhausted and literally cannot wait for Monday morning to hit… You know, like the way non-parents feel on Friday afternoons. Can I get a #MonYAY anyone?

That is one of the many many many small ways that my life has changed since having a baby. I expected the obvious changes like less sleep, more responsibility, and a new kind of love in my life, but some of the day to day things caught me off guard. We’re 10 months in and I can finally wrap my head around most of them.

It’s not that I didn’t know these changes were coming. I was warned by my friends and every mommy blog and article in the history of ever, but when you live it, it’s just different. And now I get it.

So when Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP asked me to share some of these changes and how their always delicious popcorn has powered me through them, I jumped at the chance!

Here are a few of the many ways that life has changed since Amalia bulldozed her amazing little self into my life and into my heart forever.

1. My needs always come last. I’ve always been a nurturer, putting everyone around me first. And I love that, it’s just who I am. But when there is a tiny human who literally can’t take care of herself, that was taken to a level that I didn’t even know was possible!

No matter what is going on in my life or with work, she always comes first. And she always will.

Lately when I get her fed and out the door, I’ll realize I didn’t even feed myself (which is where to-go bags of Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP come in). Anyone who knows me knows that skipping meals is not a thing I do ever so it’s a big deal. Being prepared for these kinds of days has become a necessity.

My mom hack: I have learned to always have snacks in my purse, no matter what. If I finish one, I replace it right away so I’m never stuck without nourishment. I’ve been living for the snack-sized bags of Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP. I’m old school and like my popcorn simple so the sea salt flavor is my favorite, but when I’m craving something sweet, the Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn is my go-to. PS: They just came out with a white cheddar version that Anel is obsessed with.

I also love how the brand encourages their fans to #crushit and accomplish the small victories in life. And some days as a mom, the small victories are everything! I encourage every mom to celebrate them. Especially if it’s Olivia Pope style with a bag of Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP popcorn and a bottle of red.

Shirt / Necklace c/o / Bag c/o / Jeans

2. It takes forever to get out of the house. We used to decide we were going to head out for brunch on a Sunday, and five minutes later we’d be out the door. Now? I’d say 20 minutes minimum. I used to wonder what moms were doing with all that time when they said they were late because they were trying to get their kids out the door.

Well let me shed some light on that: First, a clean diaper is a must. Then there’s usually some sort of puke or poop on clothing situation, especially if we’re running late. Then the diaper bag must be checked, the baby must be put in her car seat, and then you realize that you aren’t wearing any pants. That’s generally how it goes.

My mom hack: Prepare your diaper ahead of time and give yourself at least 15 minutes for this process when you’re planning to be somewhere at a specific time.

3. Weekends are harder than weekdays. Like I said before, I live for Monday mornings. Anel works until 12 on Saturdays and then we split parenting duties for the rest of the weekend. By Sunday night we’re wiped. And we only have one kid! How do you superheroes with more than one child do it? I’ll be forever impressed by you.

My mom hack(s): 1. Anel and I have a standing babysitter on Saturday nights so that no matter what, we can go out with just the two of us and get a little break to enjoy each other alone. On the weekends when we skip this, we feel totally frazzled by Sunday night. This small break makes a big difference.

2. I schedule (yes schedule) an hour on Sunday nights after Amalia is in bed to recalibrate and organize my week by scheduling each day, planning our meals, and getting my to do list and schedule on lock. We recently added a step where I tell Anel what he can help with and when (because emotional labor) and that has made a world of difference.

4. Your baby’s pain feels worse than your own. Amalia’s first winter in daycare (and in life) was brutal. She got everything from stomach bugs that left her dehydrated to croup that had her barking in the middle of the night. She had fevers and boogers and everything in between.

And every single time she got sick and felt yucky or uncomfortable, I would say an unanswered prayer for it to be transferred to me so that she would feel perfect and happy again.

I’ve never experienced a feeling where I literally wanted to take someone else’s pain for myself but I’d rather be sick or hurt than have it be her any day of the week.

I imagine that feeling never leaves.

My mom hack: I don’t have much to offer here! I know how to make her feel better when she’s sick but that’s about it!

5. You learn you exist on less sleep. Before Amalia if someone told me I’d have to wake up at 6:30 every morning I would have laughed and the cried and then hid in a corner. I was always a 7:30 waker, and needed nine hours of sleep. If I didn’t get that, I was a hot mess.

These days I’m up before 6:30 every morning and although I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus most mornings, after an hour and some green tea, I feel normal… Or a new normal I should say.

I think every parent is tired, but you learn you live with that and get everything done plus take care of your child on way less sleep than you were used to before.

My mom hack: Go to bed early?

PS when I asked Anel if he had another change to add to this list, his contribution was that “Now I can only play nine holes instead of 18 on weekends…” Now that’s another whole issue hahaha.

If you’re a mom, tell me one way that your life has unexpectedly changed since having kids. If you’re a mom to be, tell me what changes you’re most looking forward to!