As a new parent, you might have received parenting books or someone might have recommended a good book that will navigate each month of your baby's milestones; while this can be good information and provide perspective to the parenting world, what makes these books just like the others is they only show you the cute and adorable milestones that your baby will experience, you know, the ones where they will suck their thumb for the first time, babble, say their first word, or roll over. The list goes on. These are all super cute and fun, but let's face it, the REAL milestones are what you won't find in books... Let me tell you what you have to look forward to!

The first time baby pukes in your mouth. 

Yep! This happened to me. Actually, more than once. My daughter was about 3 months old or so. We were playing on the floor and she was sitting on my tummy while I was singing "row your boat" and she definitely rowed her boat of puke right into my mouth. You might think this may never happen to you, but lets face it, it most likely will and it's absolutely disgusting. But, if anyone ever asks you if you know what sour milk tastes like, you can tell them ;)

The first time you get pooped on. 

I know what you're thinking, this won't happen to me. You wait, you will thank me later when it does, because you will be watching for it. I remember this like it happened yesterday. My daughter was laying on the change table while I was changing her wet diaper, when shots fired and poop sprays outward, covering my hand, the change table, the wall, and behind her dresser. Poop sprayed everywhere. You know when you watch someone at Dairy Queen prepping your blizzard and you think, "Wonder what would happen if the machine malfunctioned and ice-cream would spray everywhere?" Just picture soft serve ice cream everywhere. She was notorious for poop blowouts and pooping while being changed. Poop will come when you least expect it and the next time you get a blizzard... you're welcome!

When your baby cries, you cry. 

There is no tougher moment than listening to your baby cry. My daughter is 11 months old and I STILL cry when she does. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. There is something to be said about a mothers bond with their children. This can happen during your midnight feeding, during your bedtime routine, or perhaps in the backseat of the car. No matter when or where this happens, you will feel personally responsible for your baby's tears. Your lack of sleep and/or hormones will get the best of you and you will find yourself shedding those tears alongside your baby. I remember the first time I cried while my daughter was crying when she needed to see an ophthalmologist; she was only a couple of days old. As the doctor examined her and administered eye drops, she cried and I cried listening to her. Another time, when my daughter was only about a week old and my husband and I were ready to take my daughter with us to do some errands, there was my daughter crying in her car seat before we got her in the car. Tears were running down my face while I was singing "you are my sunshine." Every parent will tell you that you will cry when your children cry and I remember saying "nah, I'm not that emotional.." You think you aren't, now... but you wait!!

The day you feel like the other moms seem to know what they're doing better than you.

It's very easy to think that someone else might be handling or doing something better than you are. Women seem to compare themselves with other women. In some cases, its hard not too. You show up to a baby group and you see other moms wearing makeup, wearing their pre-pregnancy clothes, and looking so fresh, while you're still rubbing out 'sleep crusties' from your eyes from the night before. Your hair is tied back, because you are on your third day using dry shampoo. That's when you think to yourself, "man, what am I doing wrong?" or "whats the secret?". The truth is, whether another mom has managed to squeeze in a shower, or put on makeup, or is able to wear their skinny jeans, at the end of the day, we are all figuring out this mom thing and we are all winging it as we go.  There will always be a mom who appears refreshed, who seems to know what she is doing, one that seems to have all the answers, and one that stays calm during stressful times. But on the inside, they could be stressing about the things you are rocking. The truth is, we are all figuring this whole mom thing out together and as much as you think some moms are doing a better job, remember that no one has all the answers. Take time to pat yourself on the back for a job well done!!

First time everyone and everything is covered in food. 

It comes with great pleasure to introduce you and your baby to solids. You may think that you will just throw down some garbage bags and clean up will be that easy. This idea seems to make sense but those garbage bags don't help protect your walls. While your baby explores the joys of their food in all forms, in a split moment, there isn't enough preparation that stops a spoon full of puree or a handful of pasta thrown across the room, covering  your walls and floor. Your baby decides to squish their food in their fingers and then they mash it through their hair, their legs, and feet. It's like an art class gone wrong. Just when you think you've cleaned up the mess in your kitchen and your onto cleaning up your baby, you find remnants of their meal inside their diaper, arms, and leg rolls.

First tantrum. 

Actual toddler tantrums can start around the age of 18 months, but infants can have outbursts too. The difference though, is that infants can't speak. The best part is that you get a full ear of hysterical crying, not knowing what's wrong because they're obviously unable to tell you, and everyone has stopped what they're doing to stare at you.

Just when you think you've figured it out.

As you might already know, babies have a mind of their own. They aren't textbook. So, no matter what you might google, read, or think will apply to your baby, it doesn't always work. Or, better yet, you might have figured out the perfect thing and it works for a month, and BAM! Game over! What seems to work today, no longer works and what didn't work last month, might work today! Babies don't keep us on our toes for nothing.

Always remember to praise yourself for the good work you are doing. Being a mom isn't always a picnic in the park. Its hard work, its full-time, always. No mater the challenges the day brings, or the held back tears you're fighting, or the difficulties you are facing, remember to remind yourself you are doing a great job. You are an amazing mom!