Usually the first moment when you discover you are becoming a mother is when you are washing your hands from taking a "test". I remember wiping my hands on the towel, picking up the box and reading it will take 3 minutes then...
OH.MY.GOSH
Funny how an 8 letter word can change your life.
For 9 months (estimated) you go through a tons of emotions. Highs from hearing the hearbeat, finding out the sex, and lows...no control of your emotions, stress, and sometimes the loss of your child.
You go through hours of pain and labor only to discover you have to have an emergency C-Section. The first time around, you have no idea what is going on , the second time you are ready.
Usually about 15 minutes (or less) later you are a Mom.
You hear the cry, you feel the tears, your life is changed forever. For a brief moment the baby you have carried inside of you is still connected to you, then snip! The cord is cut, and now it is your responsibility to protect this child on the outside world, just as you did while it lived inside.
The first time around you love the instant bond you have with your child. You dream all the dreams of what you want it to be when it grows up. You panic over the little things, you spend tons of money on the best diapers, the best organic clothes...you wash the paci everytime it hits the floor.
The second time around you still love your child, but you wonder how can I love this baby as much as I did my first? Will it be the same? You introduce them to each other hoping baby 1 will love this baby and have an instant bond with it. You think it will make it easier on you if they love each other from the start.
Sometimes you get lucky...and they do.
When #2 comes around, you are more prepared. A paci on the ground gets the 5 second rule, Hand-me-downs are acceptable, and you know not to call the ped nurse when the snot is green.
You are finally getting your mom feet underneath you, and that is a good thing.
Because these precious children start to grow...and grow.
One day you come home and pick up your camera only to find that your oldest has hijacked it and snapped photos of their favorite television shows. 168 photos to be exact.
You are okay with a family photo that is a mess....
you are thankful that as they grow and potty train, they know how to cover the toilet seat, just like you do... weather out in public or at your own house!
You take them on adventures to meet their favorite people (besides you of course!)
Your date nights turn into family nights. And thats okay, you enjoy seeing their joy as they experience "big kid world"
Then the day comes, when they leave you, even if for a brief moment. They spread their wings and they go.
you love to capture the precious moments...even when there is a streak of chocolate milk coming out the side of ones mouth... Because you never know if you will get another chance to remember them...like that.
You spend afternoons playing outside. Sidewalk Chalk, things with wheels, and balloons become your accessories.
You spend afternoons playing in leaves
You snuggle to keep warm. And for a minute, you stop, smile, and breath in the love that radiates from your children.
As time goes on....and they get bigger. Family pictures start to get better.
The World of Motherhood is a Wonderful World. It is tough and at times it can hurt, but it can also be filled with joy and lots of laughter.
To all my mother figures...I thank you for being the fabulous women that you are. For being role models and being ears. For being hugs and shoulders to cry on. For being there.
This was so, so sweet and well-written! You captured it so well. What precious little girls :)
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