My Reaction to Motherhood

Before I start this post, I would like everyone
to know that I have no intention of offending anyone,
or demeaning anyone's sense of motherhood.
I'm simply explaining my reaction to becoming a mother.
I realize that some babies are easier than others, and Madeline
has been a very easy baby. I truly hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings.
_________________________

Over Christmas break I had the privilege of getting together 

with some friends from high school.

It was so fun to catch up and hear how everyone is doing.

So far I am the only one married.  And the only one with a baby.

Needless to say things are a little, not awkward, but just not the

same as they used to be.  If you get my vibe.  

It's not a bad thing, just a thing.  Which is fine! I still 

love getting to see them a few times a year.

As we were talking, one of them asked me what the 

biggest surprise of becoming a mom has been.

Almost with out hesitation I said, 

"How easy it's been."

She gave me a rather strange look, and 

I probably couldn't have explained myself better that 

night, but I didn't know how.

So here's my more correct explanation.

Since I was eight or so, everyone has 

told me that I am just a natural born mother.

Maybe it's the fact that I'm the oldest of 

nine children.  Maybe it's the fact that I grew 

up in a home where exemplary motherhood was 

demonstrated to me on a daily basis.

Maybe it's more than that.  That as part 

of my unique and divine nature, motherhood 

comes easily for me {or has so far, at least}. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is, all through my 

pregnancy I kept having doubts and fears that it wouldn't

come naturally for me, and that I'd freak out and be way

in over my head.  But so far that hasn't happened. 

There hasn't been a time that I regretted the choice we made to 

start our family quickly.  I haven't ever felt too overwhelmed or

lost and confused. The truth is I just love being a mom. 

And I haven't ever felt more myself than I do now.

I love watching her grow into herself every day.

I love watching her observe the world around her, taking everything in.

I love the way she takes a minute to look up and smile at me 

in the middle of an eating.  Or the way she beams at me 

when I get up in the middle of the night to feed her

{It's so hard to enforce putting her back to bed 

when she's so adorable and happy!}

It even melts my heart when she puckers her lips and 

falls apart in tears. I could go on and on, but my point is, 

there's so many things I love about her, that the diapers,

the lack of sleep, the spit up, and the poop stains are all worth it.

Motherhood has come easily for me, just as music, sports, 

academics, generosity, teaching, leadership and so many

other things come easily for others.