2.) You know you’re a mom when…
I had a hard time adjusting to life with a new baby when Maile was born. I was the first of my friends to jump into motherhood and my only sister who had kids was already 7 years ahead of me. For the first six months I feel like I was spinning in circles, bewildered about the fact that NO ONE was sharing how difficult this was and also that women were continuing to have children KNOWING how difficult this was.
I remember snuggling up on the couch in front of the TV for some long overdo quiet time as my baby napped upstairs. Finally I had a moment to myself! And then she woke up. I knew Pat was upstairs and I heard him walk into her room. It was great having him home on the weekends. I snuggled back in to my spot.
And then he appeared with the baby and a blanket.
Nicely set the blanket on the floor in front of the couch I was on, gingerly placed the baby on top and walked away.
Walked away.
Just like that.
I stared after him just blinking like…seriously?
We both knew baby Maile was not just going to entertain herself on that blanket. So why would my husband come lay her down in front of me?
It’s because I was the mom.
I stared.
I’m the mom.
I flashed through memories of my own Mom and how many times I left things for her to clean up. How often I expected a lunch properly packed every morning before school. How many times I asked her what was for dinner, where were my shoes? I needed help with homework. I eaves dropped on her phone calls. I scribbled on her bedding with markers. I pooped on a toy in the backyard. I let our angry dog OUT of our yard on purpose again and again so that he could stretch his legs. I ate her chocolate. I broke her porcelain spaghetti pot on the kitchen floor and it was FULL OF SPAGHETTI. She was up to her elbows in a sink filled with dirty dishes and told me she’d take care of the mess. Of course she would…she was The Mom.
When my husband set our daughter on the blanket in front of me and walked out of the room I felt the shift of expectations. Oh my gosh, I thought, I’m The Mom now and he knows it.
I pulled myself from the couch and crawled to her spot on the blanket. How did this happen? I’m not the type to just roll up my sleeves and be The Mom. I still need MY Mom…WHERE IS SHE RIGHT NOW? I looked at this baby. She had a future of home work, eaves dropping, chocolate stealing and spaghetti pot breaking ahead of her. She needed a diaper change, she was hungry and she had a fist full of my hair.
But God she was cute.
I guess if I had to learn to be The Mom I was glad it was for her.
My husband on the other hand…I’d deal with him later.
Andrea says
I love this focus on what it means to become The Mom. I’m not sure that I ever looked at it this way. But when it happened, I felt the same way as you did.
Tiffany says
This is so true. I still have moments like that where I kind of panic because…I’M THE MOM!!!
dude mom says
I’m having an I’m the mom moment this morning. I expect it to last all day.
May says
She has the happiest face on earth, I swear!
MJ says
Becoming THE MOM doesn’t necessarily happen at the moment of birth, does it? When I think back now to all the things my mom did for me it seems extraordinary, and I hope someday my kids feel the same way about me.
Tina says
There are so many things about motherhood that nobody every talks about that are terrifying. Maybe that’s why they don’t mention them. Those babies are cute, though!
Kerry says
You’re a beautiful mom! Look how cute she is!
Lydia says
I’m on kid 3 and I still feel like I’m just a cool aunt….you aren’t alone. :)
Melinda says
Yep…you’re a mom. I can’t count how many times my husband deposited the kids at my feet and then went back to whatever he was doing (probably something that involved the xbox!)
Tracy P. says
Uh oh. I think I might still be in denial. Big girl panties are for two year olds. Who else really wants to wear them? ;-)
Betsy says
That is pretty funny. I have been hugely blessed with a husband who helps out SO much!
Raine says
What a cute baby!
Mindi Stavish says
Yup I’m the MOM. Except when it comes to shopping for the boy toys. Me <—- clueless and don't care. Good thing my husband is still a kid at heart and sometimes in the brain too!
Stacey says
I was the first of our friends to become a mom too…and it was definitely a shock! Even now, 12 years later, I’m still wondering how that happened…
Lisa @ The Meaning of Me says
That is an awesome story, Kat. You know, my Kidzilla is five and I still often look around and wonder when the Mommy will come to pick up the kid and take her home…then I remember…oh yea, duh. I’M the Mommy.
@PamelaMKramer - A Renaissance Woman says
Oh my gosh this was a lot of fun!
I hope you enjoy my list of You Know You’re a Mom When…
Don’t let the pies fool you, I’m just hungry right now. All I think about are pies.