My Momiversary

Today, my first born baby girl turned five. 5!!!

I know I promised this blog wouldn't be a parenting blog, but this is a day that deserves to be celebrated. So, in the spirit of being SELF{ish} I am reflecting on MY journey over the past five years and how much life has changed.

My children both look like their father (who is super duper handsome, btw, so that is a bonus) but A. has unquestionably inherited many of my personality traits.  A lot of them.

I have always been a loud, rambunctious person. The polite call it outgoing. I call it outgoing to the max. Not really- I call it annoying. I often find myself embarrassed of my over-enthusiasm. A. has that same unbounded, boisterous joie-de-vivre. Her happiness is contagious, and she is impossible to be around without smiling. I figure if I love it in her, how can I not love that same quality in myself?

Being a mom has taught me so much about love. An absolute cliche- I had no concept of how intensely and unconditionally I would love my children. Even when they are simultaneously driving me to the brink of insanity. I look at them and feel an overwhelming sense of love. Especially when they are asleep.

The biggest thing that being a mother has taught me is that I am strong. This strength has been tested countless times in the past five years. From bedtimes (still fighting that battle) to pregnancy losses, and from Emergency Room visits to having an un-medicated, unexpectedly fast childbirth in an ambulance. (Expect future blog posts on all of the above.) I am strong. And so are you. Mama, you are STRONG. You have such power within you, and acknowledging that fact will only make us stronger.

I want to thank my five year old girl for teaching me so much. I know she will continue to teach me lessons whether I am ready for them or not.

Happy Momiversary!