OMG where did time go?

These last 9 months have been exhilarating and packed with passion, excitement, love, peace, and growth. I am a different woman after MJ was born. She is my world. God trusted in me and my husband to produce this beautiful child and raise her.  I take my responsibility seriously, and I am loving every minute of it.

The first two months were like boot camp and it went at a speed that I didn’t know existed. By 5 months we made it to the “too cute stage” and it just gets better. At 9 months, it is so fun because we are trying new recipes, she is exploring, and I feel back to normal.

9 Things I love about Motherhood

1. I wake up to the happiest baby alive. Seriously this little baby wakes up smiling, laughing and saying “Hi”. She has always been content, even since birth. In the delivery room she barely cried. She is a content baby, but beyond content she is full of joy.  Having her happy makes me happy.
2. I get to create my own traditions for our family. Before her it was just R and I. We’ve been together so long that yes we had some common themes about the way we do things but having a child has even changed that a bit so it seems like a fresh start.
3. I love with such passion, it is genuine and that love is reciprocated from such a tiny, innocent soul. There is no gray area.
4. Motherhood gave me purpose. I have read purpose driven life at least 3 times, and never once did it occur to me that being a mother, a role model, a caregiver would be one of my purposes. But it comes so natural. My life has been given purpose and it puts pieces of the puzzle in other areas of my life together. I am whole.
5. I’ve been challenged to think about my health and make better decisions. What I prepare for my baby is given a great amount of  thought. It started with pregnancy and being aware of what I dined on. Now that I prepare her meals and even when I buy a snack from the stores I read labels, research ingredients, prepare and prefer fresh, and beyond just her meals I think and modify what I feed myself and my husband. But I still love junk..All in moderation is what they say!!… Whataburger #1 no unions please!!
6.  I’m okay with saying no to others and putting my family first. We can’t be all things to all people and until having MJ I felt guilt about missing social outings, not visiting family every week… Now I’m at peace. A working mom’s time is limited, she must spend it wisely and make family decisions.
7. Appreciating the small luxuries of life (breath, freedom, love, etc.) If my baby can wake up with a smile in the morning, and after every nap, well damn it so can we! I tease her and say “God is good.” all the time, God is good.”  Because if she could talk I promise she looks like she would say that every time she gets up, its contagious and hilarious. Appreciate life and the small things.
8. Being a conqueror. Motherhood has built strength and character. Honestly from the start of my 36 hours of labor,  while I was birthing a baby, God was birthing a strong woman out of me. Seriously, every week is a new learning curve for me, a new challenge, and with me as the Victor! Being a mother stretches you to new lengths. Life is limitless.
9. Having a front row seat in my family memories everyday is something I would not trade for anything. I understand the people who post first day of school pictures, who talk endlessly about their children…I get it. Children are a gift from God and we are proud of them, as we should be.

Psalm 127:3 Children are a gift from the Lord;they are a reward from him. (NLT)

Honestly my list is longer and I am sure it will evolve as my journey through motherhood evolves but in the spirit of celebrating 9 months I will pause here.

What do you love about motherhood?