This body ain't built for babies

Supermom via Society6
On Saturday afternoon, I hiked out to the suburbs for a football party.  Some friends, who recently made the move out there to start a family, were having people over to watch the Longhorns totally suck it up (insert sad face here).  Shortly after arriving, I realized that while I've been spending my life making different career choices, other people have, quite bluntly, been making babies.  By the time the third baby, haggard-looking parents and diaper bag rolled in, I got the trend.  I had forgotten my baby accessory.

Luckily, the parents were more than happy to pass their children into my welcoming arms and I bounced and patted the babies to high heaven while their parents took the precious moments of freedom to hurriedly wolf down a hot dog and used the restroom (no, they didn't chug a beer, that would be highly irresponsible).  As a parent, getting an invitation to this type of party must have been golden.  Instead of the "Will there be girls / guys there?" question of your early-20s, it's "Will there be childless adults there?" or "What's the child to parent ratio?"

On Sunday morning, I woke up aching in both of my arms and shoulders and hardly able to push myself out of bed.  I consider myself pretty fit but apparently, juggling babies is not something that I have the upper body strength for.  Mothers of the world, I salute you.  Or would if I could regain the feeling in my arms.

Comments

  1. Yes....I refuse to go to parties where there will be no one to take the kids! It should be mandatory for peeps to invite parents with kids and ensure free babysitting!
    But seriously, Auntie Rooth, they're a good workout!:)

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  2. I think it's different in the north east, most people don't start until their late 20s or later here. I spent one weekend recently, when my wrist was bothering me, tossing babies. I totally felt it the next day. I'm not sure why they like to be thrown so much when everyone tells you not to. I have to admit to loving passing little ones over to someone else when they throw up or scream or get stinky. :)

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  3. Haha, it's really hard work to play with them as well! I like seeing babies, not taking care of them XD

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  4. Hahahah, I really like your humorous posts - your voice is so distinct.
    Babies are definitely heavy. For sure. I have a somewhat large age gap between me and my younger sister ( ~13 years! ), so I have had my fair share of holding her. And let me tell you...a 15-year old me did not have enough muscles to support my sister for longer than 2 minutes. XD

    X i x i a ❥ thisisxixia.com

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  5. I recently experienced a time when everyone around me seemed to be getting pregnant. I guess at some point (soon!) I can expect to be tossing some of those babies up in the air...

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  6. Gosh I remember when everyone in my crowd was having babies. It's like I had missed the memo on the whole baby thing. I try to hold babies but I can't say they stay in my arms for too long. I just don't have that mom mentality yet.

    xo erica

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  7. but your body IS built for your babies!

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  8. Having little ones at parties usually means eating in shifts. Fortunately they don't weigh much at first, so you get to build strength as they grow.

    You lobbed up a huge softball with the post title, but I'm letting it pass. :)

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  9. I'm surrounded by lots of pregnant couples at the moment and I'm even planning a baby shower at that. The once conversation topic that used to be about career plans changed into birthing classes and now there are baby strollers in the hallway when we have guests. At least the babies don't cry when I hold them anymore.

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  10. Yes, when I look around I see many people my age who have had babies... In five years I will start thinking about having one. Let's see what the future brings.

    LUXESSED

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  11. babies don't like me. so after literally two minutes they start screaming and want to get away from me. i'm the anti-babysitter :)

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  12. Haha! When my rascals were babies, hubby was very impressed with how long I managed to carry them on my arm. He works out a LOT and is pretty strong, but the mommy strenght is something totally different. :-D

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  13. Oh gosh, I am not looking forward to these types of parties. So far my friends have remained mercifully childless. Who knows, though..

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  14. Ha! It's so true. And I have the same aches and pains when I'm carrying small children. About a year ago, I carried my nephew on my side for a little while and the next day, my ribs were killing me. So glad he can walk now!

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  15. Yeah, parenthood is not for the weak of heart--or body, for that matter! :)

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  16. When we went apple picking on Saturday, we were the only couple there without at least 1 baby. Some had 2. It's definitely a big dynamic shift! I love kids, but I was happy to go home an be able to take a nap and do my own thing, too. :)

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  17. I'm pretty much one of the only ppl without kids, and I'm old. I love taking care of the, though and I've got tons of god children.

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  18. Oddly despite the fact that I'm in my late 20's in strange that quite a few of my friends don't have children yet. Nonetheless, I never thought about how physically taxing babies can be!

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  19. Do you have twitter?? That's my first question.

    You should seriously see my biceps from carrying Walker around. I haven't worked out in 2 weeks, but my arms look like all I do all is lift weights. (well...i guess i kind of do)

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  20. I've always wondered why moms don't end up with Arnold Schwarzenegger arms - babies are heavy!

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  21. I always feel like a single mom taking care of the baby I nanny. Whenever anyone is willing to watch her it's like a break to pee and take a breather. It's amazing!

    http://thelittletexan.blogspot.com/

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  22. When Callum was an infant (13 long/short years ago), those infant carseats that pop out for you to carry everywhere were still fairly new. And heavy. Neel torqued his shoulder carrying it everywhere, necessitating cortisone shots and X-rays. The X-rays showed a spot on his lung which was feared to be TB. He's a carrier. Fun times!

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  23. LOL Rooth.

    "...while their parents took the precious moments of freedom to hurriedly wolf down a hot dog and used the restroom." TOO TRUE.

    I wished you lived in Sydney, so that we could go to parties together and I could wolf down hot dogs while you held my boys.... :)

    Ronnie xo

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  24. Oh gosh, this is the truth. TROOF. Ha.

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  25. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just too selfish for parenthood.

    PS. My Nick Cage inspired post is still on its way... ;)

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  26. Ha! This is soooo funny. It's worse when you're a teacher/you actually like the kids. Parents eat the shit up. We went camping with a family who had 4 kids and I swear, anytime the mom saw me with her children, she RAN OFF. I didn't know whether to be offended or happy that she trusted me so much!

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  27. i happily give back my friend's babies to me after they have tired out my arms they are precious little creatures but painful to the arms

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  28. so sweet. having babies myself, i know that sweet freedom of going somewhere where there is someone that doesn't have any kids of their own but likes to play with mine! it's like a little mini lottery win or my version of a spa retreat :) before i had my twins i had my "only child" for ten years and i was often the friend that helped out as my friends had one, then another, then another . . . so while your arms are sore, know you probably gave them the best night out in awhile! xo

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  29. Yikes, I guess I should start working out my upper body strength for when hubby and I have our first. Hmmm, maybe start carrying around 5 pound sack of potatoes to start :)

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