... they're actually sugarcoating it, not exaggerating the negative. Because if they told it how it really is, reproduction would cease and the world would depopulate. Ok, I'm kidding. Mostly. You can tell we're going through one of those tougher times at our house, where my husband and I look back on our single lives four years ago and realize we had no idea how much our lives were going to change with parenthood. People may be trying to communicate that -- your life as you know it is actually ending. Sometimes we parents look back and wish we would have enjoyed one more late-night party or spontaneous dinner out. The thing that really surprised me after I became a mother, though, is how much joy there is. I always wonder how women can say that the birth of their child is the best day of their lives, because I have had 100 or 500 days since then that make me say no, THIS is the best day. Today on the whole was not one of the best, but even today there were two moments that rank in the top 100 moments of my entire life so far: My 3-year-old spontaneously shouting out "Si se puede!" in Target, and my soon-to-be1-year-old hauling ass over to me in the gym childcare room to give me a huge hug. She just started hugging. Of course when people tell you you should party, travel or sleep while you can, but you're already 6 months pregnant, it's kind of too late, isn't it? Here's some news you can really use: The first 6 months of parenting offer more flexibility and freedom than any other time in the pre-elementary-school years. Take that baby wherever you want to, pretty much whenever you want to. Sling, Baby Bjorn, portable car seat, these things are all your passports to parties, the office, restaurants, even movies and travel. Use them!