Mother's Day

I became a Mama on November 23rd, 2008. It was the greatest and scariest day of my life. I never knew how much love my heart could hold, until I looked at little Jack. I was hooked. I was also terrified that I was responsible for this little one. I was the one everyone would look to for decisions. I was the one that would start him on the path to who he would grow to be. That is a lot of pressure. I also knew that I was not alone. I had Tom by my side. I was surrounded by Mamas that had done this before and were able to pass on their wisdom.

I always knew I wanted to be a Mama. I loved baby dolls and babysitting and there wasn't a baby I met, that I didn't want to hold and snuggle. The road to becoming a Mama was a little bumpy, but here I am. I have been blessed with 2 wonderful, happy, healthy baby boys. They challenge me everyday. They make me smile. They make me laugh. They make me crazy. They are amazing. They have changed me into the Mama that I am today. They have shown me that the Mama I thought I was going to be and the one I am are 2 different people, but that is ok. They love me-all of me, everyday. There is nothing better than the smile Will gives me when I walk into his room in the morning to rescue him from his crib. His arms reached up high to grab me, he nuzzles his head into my shoulder and gives me one of those big smiles that makes his eyes scrunch up, binky obscuring the view of his 2 crooked little teeth. And Jack...my little love bug. Does he LOVE his Mama? He finds me every morning in our bed, crawls up and under the covers and is practically on top of me he is snuggled so close. He quickly echoes 'I love you's' to me and tells me he loves me "to the moon and back." I think he really means it too. ;).

So what kind of Mama have I become over the past 3 1/2 years....

One who:
-gives and receives hugs no matter what else I'm doing.
-instantly becomes a jungle gym as soon as my body hits the floor.
-is frequently covered in drool, graham cracker spittle or smushed food of some sort.
-drives a pirate ship to the Y every morning and never forgets to yell "Land Ho" when we see the sign.
-goes by "Captain Mama" when driving the pirate ship.
-never wears 'dry clean only' anymore-unless on a special occasion.
-has changed her stance on the appropriate length of time one uses a Binky.
-sticks to what she says. No means No.
-is a firm believer in "crying it out," but can't take more than an hour of it at 4am.
-lets little night crawlers into our bed because I am just too tired to bring them back to their own.
-learned that time for yourself, even just a little bit, recharges your batteries and makes you a better Mama.
-is patient most of the time.
-CAN'T STAND WHINING.
-has magic kisses for boo-boo's.
-starts thinking about bedtime at breakfast on some days.
-wishes the time would SLOW DOWN so they could stay little just a little longer.
-wants her boys to be the best they can be, but more importantly she wants them to be HAPPY.
-is working on perfecting her gun shooting sounds and her car racing sounds. Both of which get critiqued  
  often.
-loves listening to Jack's imagination run wild.
-likes to pass on tips and tricks to other Mamas.
-has learned to not judge others on how they are raising their kids. To each their own.
-has adopted the motto: "Do what works for YOU and YOUR family."
-IS still a nurse, but wishes she could just stay home.
-is lonely sometimes and longs for adult conversation.
-has learned to go on her instincts-they are ACTUALLY right.
-has days that have meltdowns and screaming and crying and too many time outs to count.
-believes in discipline and following rules, but having fun and making a mess too.
-loves the sound of giggles.
-does the best SHE can everyday.

A special thank you to my Mom for helping to shape me into the Mama I have become. I hope that I can run a house as well as you, have HALF the energy you have and raise my boys to be successful, wonderful people like you have done. You truly amaze me. I am so lucky to have you a phone call away. I fully appreciate all your advice on parenting and take it deeply to heart.

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing Mamas I know out there. Keep up the good work.