I feel like there isn’t a better visual representation of motherhood than a soggy bowl of cereal. Every mother’s day is full of “I started to…..fold laundry, eat, pee, think, speak, do ANYTHING etc.” and then finishing that statement with “but then…someone threw up, drew on the walls, needed a hug, was stuck in a pair of leggings they had tried to wear as a shirt, etc.” and then followed up with “and that’s why I didn’t….fold laundry, eat, pee, think, speak, do ANYTHING oh and that’s also why the house is destroyed and dinner isn’t done. But HEY no one died, so that’s a win right?”

Motherhood isn’t like anything else in this world. I’ve never experienced something that can bring me to my knees in tears and frustration one minute and then the next bring me so much joy and exhilaration witnessing my children grow and learn. I feel like part of the reason for that phenomenon is that all children are born with this special power called “Cuteness when Sleeping”. I don’t know how it works, but all I know is that all day long they can try my patience, break my will power and be absolute turds but then the second they fall asleep all I can do is look at how CUTE they are and then look at pictures of them on my phone till I go to bed. Somehow I go from thinking I won’t make it through the day with them and then all of the sudden after they are asleep and I look at how cute they are, suddenly I feel like I can do one more day.

My advice to all soon-to-be-mothers, mothers to newborns, or any mother or woman who mothers is this, it’s just a phase. It will pass. Try to enjoy those tender moments and don’t wish away the chaos, because all too soon the chaos will be gone and all that will remain is the memory of those tender and precious moments.

Alicyn