*If I’ve showered and actually put on make-up, I can sometimes really feel like this!
You often hear that motherhood changes people. Some women can become nicer or more motherly, others can become more high-strung or stressed, and almost all of us become quite a bit more exhausted. But what about changes that aren’t so…normal? I’m not talking about the obvious weird physical changes like zebra stripe belly scars or larger hips. I’m talking about the fact that I can smell what the neighbors are having for dinner tonight. Seriously.
While I was pregnant, I didn’t have many food or taste aversions, but I did have a major aversion to certain smells and textures. It’s like my nose’s smell ability went into high gear. I loved the feeling of squishy foods and craved tons of veggies and fruits. I even carried a giant Trader Joes bag full of them to work with me every day. On the other hand, as much as I tried to push past it, certain smells made me feel incredibly nauseous. I could not stand the smell of peanut butter or cat food or the feeling of dried crackers/bread on my tongue. I had heard that pregnancy heightens your senses, especially your sense of smell, but I thought that it would eventually disappear after you gave birth. For me, that was not the case. Thanks to Taylor, I have gained the odd super power that is an intense sense of smell.
Society sometimes jokes about the super-mom who’s able to ‘do it all’ without an ounce of effort. While I am far from being able to do everything, I have definitely gained some mom-like “super powers” after having Taylor:
1) I can smell things from incredibly far away. As gross as it is, mildew is the worst offender. If there is a mildew-y towel anywhere in the house…I can smell it, and I will find it (and destroy it!).
2) Even if she’s not making any noise (clue #1 I suppose), I have a certain ‘sense’ if Taylor is getting into something she shouldn’t.
3) I’ve gained cat-like reflexes; Taylor about to fall and hit her head? a quick SWOOP and she’s saved!, Third and last clean fork about to land in dirt? SWOOP and it’s saved! It’s quite handy.
4) My intuition has also been incredibly intensified.
These “powers” might be far from the ability to fly, being able to teleport to the Bahamas, or becoming invisible whenever the laundry pile starts towering over me, but they’ve become useful to my current job as a mom!
Have you gained any “superpowers” after having your children?
I recently had to snatch my daughter away from the path of a moving vehicle, and I was SHOCKED by how quickly I was able to move when her safety depended on it! Good thing.
It’s such a useful reflex to have!
Does sensing my dog is about to bark and then tackling him to the floor so he doesn’t wake up naptime count??
Hahaha! Yes! That’s an amazing one. If only I could do that to the neighbor’s dog..