about how women are just catty at the core. Unfortunately I think there are just NOT enough TRULY supportive moms (and women) out there. It's like a horrid competitiveness that just rears it's ugly head ALL the time. I'm of the idea that if you can't say anything positive don't say anything at all. Your life after baby is what YOU make of it. If you choose to be a child-focused parent then NO you will not have a life after baby that resembles the life you had before (I made that mistake with my first child) and if you choose to be a family-focused parent then you will show your child that not only are they an important part of the family but so is mom and dad (or just mom or just dad-however the family dynamic works) and that each person not only needs together time but also alone or separate time and THAT IS OK!!!!! Otherwise you are dooming yourself to failure or resentment, and that is just not an environment that a family thrives in. I have learned after 3 children to just grin and bear it with the people that choose to make comments like "your life will never be the same, yada-yada-yada....." because nothing you say to them will ever change their opinion. As long as you live your life focusing on your goals and what you want then let the nay-sayers go on with their negative selves:) Don't let them drag you down mama, you ROCK!!!