A year ago I was an eighteen year old high school graduate on my way to parties and other stereotypical teen pursuits. I was a huge party-goer and I took more than my fair share of risks. Now, I’m a mellowed out young mother pursuing my bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, I go out once a month and spend the rest of my days parenting and studying. I have learned that you not only shape your child, your child shapes you. When I found out I was pregnant I underwent an extreme personality makeover, in fact, I remind myself of my mother; overprotective, overbearing and over cautious. I also learned that spending hundreds of dollars on newborn clothes is a terrible idea. Why? Because babies wear an outfit once before they grow out of it, and when they get older, especially in the summertime, they prefer to run around naked anyway. I also learned that no matter how you arrange vegetables they are still just that, vegetables. I also learned the value of sleep. God I miss the days that I could sleep till 2 or 3 in the afternoon on the weekend. Sleep is the most valuable thing a parent can have, but can never seem to get enough of. Parenting is full of tears, laughs and accomplishment, and though my life has changed, I wouldn’t trade it for the world, because as long as I have my Ana-bug in my life, that’s good enough for me.