oh baby, baby!

Ever since I was little I've loved babies and kids. I don't know what it is about them, but I just love them. When I got married I wanted to have a baby so bad! That's probably why I got pregnant after only being married for 6 months.

I loved being pregnant... besides the morning sickness, swollen feet and heartburn.. I loved it. It was such a special time for me. Experiencing something brand new with my husband.. it was fun! Then the labor and delivery experience and bringing home a newborn... it's all so raw and new as first time parents. We were like sponges just absorbing all the information being poured into us by doctors, nurses, parents, friends and family. It's extremely overwhelming.

There is something about being a mommy that I feel bonds us to other mommies. We've all been through this similar experience. Whether you're a mom who uses a midwife and delivers at home and never takes your child to the doctor and breastfeeds your child or the mom who uses a doctor, delivers in the hospital with an epidural and vaccinates your children and formula feeds... we're all moms.

I think my biggest downfall is talking too much to other moms about my experiences and what worked for me. I hate feeling like I'm "that mom" who gives unwanted advice. On the other hand, I love getting emails and phone calls from expecting/new moms asking for advice. I don't think I'm the best mother in the world, I don't think I have the perfect parenting skills... but I do like to talk about babies and being a mom.

I love finding other moms who have similar parenting styles as me because I feel comfortable around them, like I can be my "mommy" self. I also enjoy being around moms who don't have the same style as me because I learn from them.

I get excited when one of my friends is pregnant. I want to talk about how to get rid of heartburn, the feeling of the baby moving on the inside, the anxiety about being a first time parent and what to register for for a baby shower. I love the fact that their lives are getting ready to be forever changed. Then when they give birth I love to visit them in the hospital and ask about their labor and delivery story and hear how in love they are with this little miracle. And when they're home and they haven't slept in days and they're so exhausted and they ask "When will I EVER get sleep again???!!!"... it's so fun!

I was made for this. I was born to be a mom!