So guys, I’m still in the tropics of Bali, most likely sitting by a pool with a cocktail and if I’m really lucky, my own Ketut to heed my every beck and call (Life’s tough…)
In my absence, please give a hearty welcome to our sixth FYBF Featured Flogger, the ever witty and down to earth Kelly from Handmade Tears and Triumphs. Her blog will leave you in stitches as she reveals that she is part bogan but I also love her confidence as a mum and kick butt attitude to those who dare to give unsolicited advice.

Today, Kelly’s done something a little different as a FYBF FF…she’s written a gorgeous poem. Grab that cuppa, sit back and enjoy!
And as always….please, please leave behind lots of comment love!
Before I was a Mum
Before I was a mum, I enjoyed time on my own
But now I’m never lonely because I’M NEVER ALONE.
Before I was a mum, I wore heels every day
Now you’ll find me in flats, it’s easier to play.
Before I was a mum, this body was all mine
Sometimes my husbands ’cause he thought it was fine.
Before I was a mum, control undies weren’t needed
And my breasts were amazing (not to sound conceited).
Before I was a mum, late nights were about fun
Spent drinking and dancing, not patting baby’s bum.
Before I was a mum, afternoons were for beers
Not swim class, Kung Fu and overzealous cheers.
Before I was a mum, I slept in on weekends
Now I consider sleep an old long lost friend.
Before I was a mum, I enjoyed gangster rap
Now it’s all about The Wiggles and other such crap.
Before I was a mum, we enjoyed eating out
Long relaxed dinners without having to shout.
Before I was a mum, I’d choose wine over water
But there’s none of that while I breastfeed my daughter.
But before I was a mum, I often felt bored
And I didn’t have 3 little angels to adore.
Before I was a mum, I didn’t know the joy
Of seeing a baby discover a new toy.
Before I was a mum, Christmas had lost its spark
Now we creep in excitement, long after dark.
Before I was a mum, I didn’t know such love
The parent/child bond is worth all of the above.
So tell me Floggers, what changed when YOU became a parent?

1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love.
6. Share some more comment love. It’s proven to make your wrinkles disappear…overnight. #truth
Yay Kelly! Congratulations on being a featured flogger. I love reading your posts, and Grace is so right, you’ve had me in stitches on numerous occasions. I love your poem – especially the last couple of lines xx
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..Naughty Mummy!
Thanks love! Feeling very honoured to be a featured flogger, such a privilige!
I’m so happy to know I’ve made you laugh xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Gorgeous poem Kelly! Love your blog too. Xx
Zanni, Heart Mama recently posted..iCandy
Thank you Zanni xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Oh and I just loved your iCandy post by the way!
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
I love reading Kelly’s blog too. Beautiful shot of the family!
Sim recently posted..Don’t mess with me – Wordless Wednesday
Thanks Sim, we found it impossible to get a photo with everyone looking at the camera at the same time, a candid shot seemed the best way to go lol xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Thanks for hosting Grace. I’m off to do some visiting.
Carolyn
Desire Empire recently posted..Make an Easy Christmas Advent Calendar
Hi Carolyn!
Have fun reading the awesome floggers today 🙂
Happy Friday xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Lovely poem Kelly!
I’m exactly the same. Christmas had lost it’s shine for me until my first was born. Even though he was only 5 mnths at Christmas time, it was like I was back to being a child again myself! And it just keeps getting more and more special every year now, as they get older.
PS I adore your family photo. That is my dream. I have two gorgeous boys, but still hoping for a beautiful little girl to round our family off nicely 🙂
xx
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos recently posted..The November 30/30 Challenge – Day 16. Slam Dunk!!
It does get more and more special, doesn’t it?
I remember J’s second Christmas, he slept in and we were both sitting up, excited to show him the goodies that Santa bought, hilarious! It was the only day he’s ever slept in that long!
And thank you, I hope you get your beautiful little girl xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
All of the above Kelly – i just adore being a parent – it’s changed my world! Nice rhyming – and very visual – especially creeping around in the dark on Christmas – so much fun x
bachelormum recently posted..Little lost dress
Thank you! I hope to do a lot more creeping in the darkness this year now that I’m not pregnant!
Sorry to hear about your lost dress 🙁 Australia Post is just shocking, I’ve made several complaints about their service (or lack of). Hope it turns up xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Oh this is great! So chuffed that you are here as the ‘Featured Flogger’! Woot!
What changed me when I became a parent? Hmmm…. realising that life is precious and that there is nothing sweeter than morning cuddles in bed. I also never fully realised just how many crumbs children can create…. Someone should have warned me about that. Really.
B recently posted..Life: Being Cool & Guest Speaking – Part 2
Oh B! Morning cuddles are my favourite! There’s no better way to start the day. And you’re not wrong about the crumbs, if I could invent one thing in my life time it would be crumb-less food!
Looking forward to reading about your guest speaking xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Yay! Kelly is awesome. And a lady of many talents, great poem!
So true about Christmas, I LOVE Christmas and the sneaking around and making it special.
iSophie recently posted..Boom Boom Balloon!
Oh Soph you’re so lovely! Thank you 🙂
What is it now, 39 days til Christmas?
xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Oh Kel, that’s beautiful!
Congrats on whing the featured flogger. You totally deserve it. 🙂
EssentiallyJess recently posted..Thursday Strikes Again
Thank you Jess 🙂
In a crowd of such awesome bloggers (yourself included) it feels pretty special!
x
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Even if I’m not a mum,yet, I just love reading your blog Kelly!
Rita recently posted..Update on NaNoWriMo
Thank you Rita, I love reading yours as well!
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Awesome poem Kelly!!
Alicia O’Brien recently posted..Best friends
Thanks Alicia. For some strange reason, I often find it easier to convey a message in rhyme?
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Nicely done Kel, you haven’t lost that poet mojo! I found a book with some of your poems in it the other day, maybe I should show you and you can post one to your blog!
Biggest change has definitely been the lack of sleep, doesn’t look like that’s gonna change any time soon though!
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions recently posted..Word Abuse
I lost it for a while love, I’ve tried writing poetry a few times over the last few years but just couldn’t, then this year something clicked again and it’s been all about the rhyme!
I know what it is, all that Dr Seuss we’ve been reading. That Dr Seuss is great rhyming juice. 😉
Sleep? Huh? I don’t think I’m familiar.
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Great poem – motherhood changes everything, doesn’t it? This is my first time joining this hop, so I’m a new follower (e-mail). Thanks for hosting!
Azara recently posted..Random coffee beans
Welcome Azara! With Some Grace is a beautiful place, you won’t regret coming here 🙂
Hope you enjoy the hop today, lots of amazing bloggers gather here on Fridays x
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
OMG everything changed!! Enjoyed the poem, we just don’t read enough rhymes when we’re grown ups. Thank goodness for kids books. I remember a friend saying: ‘Do everything you’ve ever wanted to do before you have kids, cos after they come you can’t do anything!!’ Which came true in many ways… but with all four at school now, life’s opening up a bit and it’s great.
Here’s a big change, I love kissing sleeping kids, even the hairy teenager.
Seana Smith recently posted..Sydney’s Best Water Slides – For Kids and Their Families
Even the hairy teenager, lol.
I would never say you don’t get to do ‘anything’, it’s all what you make of it really. And having them opens you up to doing things you haven’t done in a long time. Like jumping on a trampoline, it’s very liberating!
And I do love a good rhyme x
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Oh wow I love this poem! Great job!
Ai Sakura recently posted..The Seaweed is Always Greener in Somebody Else’s Lake
Thank you Ai!
I think I could have kept going and going with the verses!
Thanks for linking up x
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
All I have to say is I loved it!
Becc recently posted..Christmas Giveaway Winner!
Thanks Becc. Hey your comment on my Sex post the other day had me in fits of giggles, thanks!
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Hi Kelly, congrats on the feature!
Love the poem. All I can say is ‘Ain’t that the truth!’ 🙂
Thea recently posted..Friday’s Favourite Photo Gallery
Thank you Thea, I’m feeling very humbled. Grace is just fabulous for doing this, isn’t she?
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Great poem Kelly. So true on all aspects. Before I was mum I though it would be a great idea to be a mum. I was and it wasn’t lol.
Salz recently posted..What I have learnt…
Hehehe, thanks Sal
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Love the poem Kelly xx
Three Quarters Full recently posted..We can miss him together
Thank you Kyla xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Great poem Kelly and I always enjoy reading what you have to say! Before I was a mum I think I must have squandered a lot of time.
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..Bloggers, brands and a brunch
Thanks Rachel! I couldn’t agree more, I always wonder how on earth I filled my days before – I must have done a lot of nothing? xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Lovely poem, Kelly. Good to see you as a featured blogger!
Hope you’re still having a kick-butt time and not checking in on us too often, Grace. x
Emily recently posted..There are things you shouldn’t do while pregnant
Before I was a mum, the house was spotless.
Now it’s better described as a play-doh-texta-snot-mess!
Before I was a mum, exercise was fun and never a chore.
Now it reminds me I need to strengthen my pelvic floor.
Before I was a mum, supermarket shopping was a breeze.
Now I pack more in my handbag than when I’m going overseas.
Before I was a mum, a certain female in my life was my friend.
Now her constant ‘advice’ and comparisons drive me around the bend!
Before I was a mum, I thought I’d experienced all the love I could know.
Now I’m aware that with the arrival of a child, your heart begins to grow.
Before I was a mum, I didn’t know how to fill time.
Now I lose hours staring at my daughter – I can’t believe she’s mine!
Emily recently posted..There are things you shouldn’t do while pregnant
Love it Emily! You and I clearly need to collaborate! My fave was the handbag line hehehe, you would think there are enough supplies in there to keep us alive should we get lost in the bush, but I tell you, with these 3 rugrats those supplies run out with in HOURS!
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
I love the poem – it is all so true and your family are gorgeous too.
OMG, I just rhymed that without trying – what power do you have over these comments Kelly? 😉
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..Moving Forward with My Home Truths
Ahaha Kirsty you’re hilarious! Well done!
My poem has cast a spell on you, may you now rhyme for the rest of the day!
xx
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Hi Grace and all – very busy day here in the MinsMash household with my daughter having graduated today. I have added today’s post to FYBF but must apologise that I don’t have time to read and comment on other posts today. I will do this tomorrow – I promise. We have to get ready for the Valedictory Dinner which is quite a drive away and we have to be there by 6:30pm! Min xo
Min of MinsMash recently posted..365 Grateful – Day 53
Hi Min!
Congratulations on your daughters graduation, hope you have a wonderful night x
Kelly @ HT and T recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Kelly, I loved reading your poem. Thank so much for sharing it. I’m looking forward to Christmas this year. Our daughter was a little baby last year so there’s a whole lot of excitement for this Christmas 🙂
Kaz @ Melting Moments recently posted..Fly on by Friday – Anything goes linky – Week 3
Thank you Kaz, and you are most welcome 🙂
How exciting for you! It’s nice when they start to understand it a little more, isn’t it? Ours are at a great age for it, last year they didn’t even notice their present (a giant freaking trampoline) so we’re excited to see what tricks we can play this year!
x
Kelly @ HT and T recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Love the poem Kelly!
Before I was a mum I was lost, broken, lonely, high, low, drunk, awake, asleep, surviving but dying.
Now I am a mum I am happy, content, alive, in love with my boy and excited about my future.
V.
Vanessa @ babblingbandit.me recently posted..The BB sugar experiment: The emotional stages of addiction
Hey Vanessa!
Thank you. And wow, hasn’t becoming a mum meant amazing things for you!? That’s awesome! So many complain about the changes you face when you take on the role, it’s lovely to see some genuine positivity xx
Kelly @ HT and T recently posted..Dettol Power & Pure
Kellmeister!
Consistently hilarious, occasionally angry and always entertaining.
Kevin recently posted..Caught my eye Friday – Sex, super mumming and another asshat
Kev! I’m glad you said “occasionally angry”, sometimes I worry that I always sound angry!
Kelly HTandT recently posted..Ma semaine à instagram
lovely poem
Since becoming a parent life has got a whole lot fuller 😀
Stacey-Lee recently posted..TEAM Friday: Morning Person Mind Training
Hi Kelly, nice to see you featured and hosting here. Now how shall I put it… one thing that changes is ‘Business Time’… less of it, less interest in it, and when it happens it’s all a bit like earlier days- hoping not to get caught ;P
Twitchy recently posted..Furry Blessings
“NEVER ALONE”. Yup! That about sums it up!
What a beautiful poem 🙂 I can absolutely relate to so much of that (except the boobs, I don’t think mine were ever amazing LOL)…I can’t believe my excitement over xmas these days
Sarah recently posted..healthy habits…
Finally I can try and catch up! Have been busy with MissM’s graduation and getting her off to schoolies. Then supercell thunderstorms here in Brisbane and had to turn the computer off! Kelly – I love your poem. It’s so true and beautiful! 🙂 Now I am off to do my power of four. Better late than never! Min xo
Min of MinsMash recently posted..Exciting News – Hint #3
Love this! What a lovely poem, thanks for sharing!
Bridget recently posted..Monday Listicles