Being a Mom Means...

I was that little girl who was obsessed with dolls. When any of my friends would want to play, my game of choice would be "pretend mommy." There's a video of me when I was around 5 years old and my brother asks me what I want to be when I grow up... I reply "a ballerina and a mommy." Well, I never got beyond beginner dance classes and love spaghetti too much to become a ballerina, but at least one of those dreams came true! ;) As an adult, my greatest fear was that something would happen to me before I could experience being a mom. The point? Being a mom is what I've always, always wanted.

And now that I'm three months deep, it is more than I ever could have imagined. More wonderful, more challenging, more life-changing... just more in every way. Despite less sleep (although we're getting plenty these days... stay away four month sleep regression!), it's as though my whole life is enhanced. My emotions are more raw, my fears more real, my love more all-encompassing. 

With all that said, several times a day I think to myself "so this is what being a mom means." As a newbie, I'm just figuring it all out one day at a time. Some are serious thoughts and some are funny, but they're all real.

Being a mom means...

Reading quietly with a reading light after baby goes to bed (yes, there is still a market for reading lights - it's 14 year olds and new moms)

Feeling like you have it all together when you can clean up dinner and find matching lids to tupperware containers in under 10 minutes

Embracing the "uniform" (you moms know what it is)

Getting excited to run errands because it's a good excuse to put on real pants maternity jeans, a nice top, and mascara

Scarfing meals down faster than you ever thought possible

Cleaning up all types of bodily fluids without batting an eye

Kissing cheeks, eyes, belly buttons, thigh rolls, and toes all day, errday

Putting the milk in the cupboard and the cereal in the fridge. It's ok.

Doing anything and everything for baby giggles. They're like chips... you can't stop at one. If that means I must dance around with spirit hands making airplane sounds, then so be it.

Delighting in the smallest things: she brought the toy to her mouth! She smiled at herself in the mirror! She didn't completely lose it during tummy time!

Swaying and bouncing at all times, even sans baby. It can freak people out.

Constantly questioning yourself: am I doing the right thing? Are they happy? Are they healthy? Should I do that differently? 

And yet, following instincts you didn't even know you had.

Waking up every morning to the sweetest smiles. Who knew the mere sight of your face could make someone so happy?

Leaning on your partner as you never have before for support, guidance, laughter, reassurance, advice, and love.

Discovering how strong, pure, and unconditional love can truly be.

xoxo, Jen