Mother's Day

A friend of mine wrote this a little while ago, and I think it describes motherhood perfectly:

1. A shower is so much more than just a shower. It's an escape from cries, screams and poopy diapers. For ten wonderful minutes you can leave the world of chaos and commotion and focus only on shampoo, conditioner, body wash and a loofah. Just be sure to keep the baby monitor turned off.

2. No matter how much you love your baby and how guilty you feel when you leave them with someone else, you really need to go on dates with your husband. And go on a regular basis. Hold hands, talk about non-baby things, and don't leave your cell phone on the table "just in case the babysitter calls".

3. You will constantly get unsolicited advice from other mothers - and sometimes they're right. You will read parenting books and magazine and internet articles - and sometimes they're right too. But when it comes down to it, no matter the issue, nobody knows your baby better than you do and the best cure is always to love your baby the best way you know how.

4. Sneaking into your baby's room to watch them sleep will never get old. I still do this on a regular basis and see the exact same faces that we brought home from the hospital right after they were born. They have changed so much over the past year, but that angelic look on their sleeping faces will always look the same to me.

5. You can never take too many pictures of your baby. Just be sure to sit back every once in a while and watch a sweet moment happen instead of trying to make it happen for the camera.

6. When all else fails, just snuggle.

7. When you thought you couldn't love your husband any more than you do, you hear him singing lullabies to your baby in the next room and telling them how much he loves them and your heart instantly melts. Your love for your husband will increase more than you could ever imagine after you start to experience parenthood together.

8. Nothing turns out the way you plan after you've had a baby. I was certain that my apartment would always be clean, that my baby would be sleeping through the night by three months, then six months, then nine months. I was sure that I would never experience diaper blowouts and emotional breakdowns in public. Needless to say I have been proven very wrong on a number of occasions.

9. Soon after your baby is born you will find yourself singing the same songs that your mother sang to you and playing the games your mother played. Then someone will tell you you're turning into your mother...and it will be one of the best compliments you've ever received.

10. Some days are just plain hard. Whether nap times were cut short for no apparent reason or more of their lunch ended up on the floor than in their mouth. Whether you got one of those looks from someone in line at the grocery store or it's four o'clock in the afternoon and you're just finally getting out of your pajamas. No matter how many times you've been spit up on, pooped on, or cried at, and no matter how badly dinner was burnt or how messy your home is, it's still a good day. It's a good day because you're a mother. You have children who loves you unconditionally and you love them just as much, if not more. You have been blessed with children of God to teach, to nurture, to love with all you have. You have a miracle in your life that so many others wish and pray for and sometimes don't ever get to experience on this earth. You are a mother. You have the greatest job in the world.