Those two words say it all. I prepped for nine months for labor and delivery and thought the rest would be easy. But here's the thing: labor and delivery is done is an environment with lots of medical and emotional support- and drugs if you so desire. Then those nice doctors, midwives, and doulas go home!! What??? 

Breastfeeding was hard. Like HARD. I somehow thought I would be different than all the other moms who said it was hard too but I wasn't. But my baby thrived, and like they said, it got easier after six weeks. I grin as I write that because six weeks with a newborn is infinity times infinity! Breastfeeding lasts a lot longer than labor so be prepared!

I also wish I had learned more about circumcision. My son was circumcised at two weeks so we went home after the procedure. The dangerous cocktail of postnatal hormones, an incredibly sore body, and a tiny baby who bled when I changed his diaper was way too much to handle. Could I have changed anything about that? Probably not. But I wish I knew so I could mentally prepare myself for the idea that my perfect, amazing, tiny newborn would have to go through this and it would make me wish for a second labor if I could trade his pain.

I'm sure there are other things I wish I had known coming home from the hospital, but nine months of separation from delivery and bringing home my sweet son already has me seeing through rose colored glasses!