What I Didn't Know

A few months ago I wrote about the struggles of the early days of motherhood. I thought I knew what being a mom of a baby was about: you know – sleepless nights, baby snuggles, cleaning up snot and poop, and lots of crying. What I didn’t anticipate was the great joy of being a mother. I “knew” intellectually that children brought great joy and that they were a blessing from the Lord, but somehow I just couldn’t imagine it in my life. [Some background – I haven’t been so sure about the whole mom-thing the last few years. I always knew I would be a mom eventually, but I’ve so enjoyed the single/newly married stage of life that I wasn’t really ready to move on having kids quite yet.]

I didn’t know…

… that I would be willing to make a fool of myself just to prompt a smile or a chortle from the little dude. Dancing, singing (in funny voices), making strange faces… we’ve done it all.

… that it would be the highlight of my day to walk into my son’s room every morning and watch his face light up into a big grin when he caught sight of me.

… that his daddy and I would argue over who gets to pick him up from the church nursery every Sunday (true story).

… that watching him discover the world would bring hours of endless entertainment and laughter (who needs a tv when you have a baby??)

… that the words “You’re so cute!” would come out of my mouth 10+ times a day.

… that it would be nearly impossible to think or talk about anything else besides the little dude (sorry to all of you who have to put up with the non-stop baby talk)

… that I would love watching my husband as the daddy of my son.

And I didn’t know that I could love a little human being so much (or as Jonathan calls him: our “portahuman”). I love you, little man! Thanks for bringing so much joy to our lives.