Being a mom – by moms – Part 2

Being a mum to me is Laughs, Tears, Giggles, Frowns, Funny faces, Hugs, Kisses and lots and lots of Love.

Being a mom has been a complete and utter surprise for me. I was so unprepared for the overwhelming love, the huge challenges and the absolute joy of watching my kids run around with smiles on their little faces. I just want to soak it all up.

Being a mama means runny noses, restaurant tantrums, never-ending laundry, bumps and bruises, sibling fights, countless timeouts, sleepless nights, and baby spit-up down your back. And knowing that through all of that you love your kids unconditionally and would do it all again!

I love being a Mum. I love my children with a peaceful intensity that I can't really explain. I love my boy with my heart and my gut; in two and a half years he has taught me and brought me more than anyone-or-thing else, and I have given him willingly (and sometimes not so) every ounce of myself that I have. I love my baby girl with my heart and my head; she's my mini-me, she's the little girl I always wanted, and she's got untold innocence that I need to protect; her beautiful big eyes (that are still only for me) shine with pure joy. I love my children. I love the unbreakable bond that we have no matter how many tears and tantrums rain on our day. I could write forever about why I love being a Mum, but my girl has woken up from her nap smiling at me, and my boy wants snacks and cuddles!

Being a Mummy is annoying. And wonderful. Exhausting and exciting. Relentless, refreshing, impossible, miraculous, marvellous and unpredictable. And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here, curled up on the sofa watching children's television at 6am whilst I nurse strong coffee. It's nothing like I imagined and everything I could ever want.

Several things come to mind when I think of what it means to be a mom. For me, it means to provide unconditional love to your children to help them grow, learn, and develop. It means guiding them to discover the world on their own, so that they can make informed decisions as they get older - so they can spread their wings and fly. A mother is there to help them explore life, while feeling loved, protected, and supported. This is the best gift that a mother can give.

Being a mom- tears and fears- smiles and dreams. When my children fall down and hurt themselves I cry for them. When they are sick I worry for them. When we are playing and laughing they make my heart smile. As I watch them grow I dream of all the wonderful things they can do in life and who they will become. Being a mom is the hardest job you will ever love, right!

Being a mother is a daily reminder of God's grace.

Being a mom means believing in love at first sight, and never doubting it.

Being a Mom means lots and lots of love, and snuggles anytime you want them!

To me, being a mom means keeping part of yourself as young as your youngest child. How can you enjoy their zest for fun and adventure if you've already grown-up all the way? You just can't. Being a mom means work. It means not getting proper sleep. It means heartache and frustration. It means finding joy in small things. It means learning to choose your battles wisely. I means acceptance and unconditional love. And all of this just makes us better, and more interesting "kid bloggers!", right?

No one tells you that being a mum means constantly carrying around a little knot of anxiety born out of extreme love for something precious. But it also means seeing beautiful smiles on a daily basis and knowing I helped make them - what could be more incredible. Being a mum has given me a new excuse to be silly and have fun. And yes I am always tired, but there is really nothing new about that.