The Good in Being a Mom

This past week has been a faith building and personal growth week. Besides Monday, instead of having to look for the good in being a mom, it just came. I figured I've had a lot of blogs about how hard it is to be a mom, and I feel like up until now that's all it's been! (In fact, one of my good friends mentioned this week that her mom would have given her older brother away (as a baby) if anyone ever asked.) I feel like this use to sum up my life.

I spent a good part of this weekend with my sister, and I genuinely missed Raelyn. I was so happy to see her when I got home. In the past, I always dreaded going back. This was a really good week, and Raelyn's good days are starting to overcome her bad.

Here is what I've learned/loved this week about life and being a mom: (these thoughts include my good moments for the week)

- It is very cool to see your child get excited about things. And usually they are so small and simple. Raelyn gets excited about watching little kids play. She jumps up and down. She loves it! She started a new thing this week, when she gets excited she breaths heavily. Almost like she's hyperventilating. It is so cute. It's crazy how we, as adults, forget sometimes to see the simple things in life. There is so many things to be happy about.

-Raelyn, I've noticed, gets frustrated when she can't do the things she wants. She doesn't have the capability to walk, crawl (yet), and move as she wishes. I've learned that this is a lot of the reason she cries now. She just wants to go and do. She is an extremely active girl. This knowledge helps the crying not seem so bad.

- Raelyn is learning how to communicate more. I know what motions she makes when she wants to be picked up, moved, or wants something. This is great because I'm better able to make her happy. It's crazy how much she has learned in just 6 months of life.

-It's awesome to know that babies, even at 6 months, know who you are. Who their father is, who their mother is, and when they are being held by someone who is not them. You are their favorite person. They depend on you for their happiness. It's a great feeling to see Raelyn happy, knowing that I have contributed in some way.

-Raelyn is getting to that fun age where she is fun to watch. She makes the funniest faces, does the funniest things, and learns something new everyday! It is so fun to see her thought process as she plays with things. You always wonder what they're thinking.

I feel like I am slowly coming to truly love my little girl. I know I loved her in the-your-my-daughter-and-I-made-you kind of way. But I'm starting to love her in the I-can't-imagine-my-life-without-you kind of way. I believe this is a huge reason I struggled with motherhood. I felt like someone could take her away, and I wouldn't care. Now, its turning into wanting her in my life, and she brings me happiness.

I just want other moms out there to know, who are struggling like me, that it DOES get better, you DO find the joy in it, and the unconditional love WILL come. I'm NOT saying it won't be hard, but, like you, I hope one day I'll say it was all worth it!

Please share what you think is the BEST thing about being a mom. Or a motherly figure, or an aunt, uncle, sister, brother, teacher. Anyone that has kids in their life.