Preparation for motherhood

Every woman does it. They think they are ready for being a mom and know what to expect. Most women figure out the hard way that they have no clue. They learn as they go. They deal with the teething, colic, and spit up as they go. They don't think about that when things begin. Everyone told me nothing could prepare me. I would just learn as I went along.
Sitting here with my daughter curled up on my lap, I can honestly say motherhood is EXACTLY what I expected. I was 15 and 18 when my sisters were born. I didn't raise them, but I had a front row seat and babysat them (and still do) whenever I could. I learned things classes can't teach you. I learned what a breach birth ACTUALLY looks like (immensely painful). I learned what to expect during labor by seeing it for myself. I watched my mother go through it twice. It didn't prepare me for my c-section, but it did teach me to trust my doctor. I listened to him and that was all that needed to happen. No class could have helped me make that decision. I learned how to deal with screaming. I learned how to feed babies. I learned that you trust your instincts. I learned all of the little tricks that most second time moms know ahead of time (how to soothe the baby, how to interpret cries, etc.). I learned what type of junk a baby doesn't need. I learned what you DO need for baby. I learned what will most likely sit there unused. I learned what a seizure looks like (and that a child having one can actually walk). I learned how to stay calm enough in a life and death situation to at least give 911 your address (which barely happened the first time and kept me super calm the second time). Since the birth of my daughter (besides c-section related questions), my biggest concern was "how do I get rid of cradle cap". I didn't waste time, energy, or money on things baby didn't need, classes that wouldn't prepare me enough, or worrying about labor.
What I'm saying is that I'm thankful for my wild and crazy family. Because of my family, I didn't have to struggle to learn the ropes as a new mom. I have known 90% of what I am doing since before runt was even born. I'm thankful my sister had her little episodes. Does the thought of it happening to my daughter scare the living daylights out of me? Oh god yes. Do I know how to act and react so that if it should happen, I can handle it the best way possible? Yes. For that, I'm thankful. I'm thankful I know what to expect as time goes by. I'm thankful my mom taught me to trust my gut. Sure, I could listen to her doctor, but according to him (we no longer visit him....no worries) I don't care about my daughter or what happens to her. Mostly, I'm thankful I had my sisters to practice on. Because of that, I am the best mother I can be. I'm not stressed out. I don't worry about every little scratch. I'm not overbearing. My daughter gets to be independent (as independent as a six-month-old can be) and I get to take a shower without her screaming to be held. Because I learned so much ahead of time, its smooth sailing and we get to simply enjoy our time together. I don't have to be stressed about the little scratch she got, the way she sleeps, why she won't stop crying, how to calm her, etc. Because I don't stress about any of that, I get to be happy and calm every second we are together. I am thankful my sisters stressed me out enough that none of this bothers me. I'm pretty sure without all of that practice, I would be a hot mess by now.