Little reminders.

Yesterday Tessa turned two weeks old. It's amazing how fast time is already flying and how in her two short weeks of life she already has us wrapped around her little finger. Yesterday was also special because Tessa and mommy were on their own for the whole day. I'd like to share that experience with you :) The seasoned moms are going to laugh because they've been there and they know what I'm talking about. As for you moms to be, LISTEN UP! Heavenly Father taught me a lesson yesterday and I hope I never forget it

First half of our day:
Tessa woke up every hour or so during the night and was ready to "officially" start the day at 6AM.
Mom couldn't keep her eyes open. Tessa couldn't keep her eyes closed.
Mom got dressed. Mom dressed Tessa.
First feeding, Tessa spit up all over her clothes and mom's clothes, too.
Mom got redressed. Mom redressed Tessa.
Mom changed Tessa's diaper. Tessa waited until mom finished to poop.
Mom re-changed Tessa's diaper.
Second feeding, Tessa spit up all over her clean clothes and the carpet.
Mom re-redressed Tessa. Mom scrubbed the floor.

Little reminder number one:
Later that afternoon, while sitting on the couch, Tessa lifts up her wobbly head and searches for mom's face. Tessa puts her open mouth right on mom's lips for a big "I love you" kiss.
Late night, early morning-forgotten.
Soiled clothes-forgotten.
Double diaper change-forgotten. 
Mom and Tessa rub noses and snuggle while mom thinks to her self, "this mommy gig isn't so bad." 

Second half of the day:
Living room is a wreck. Mom attempts to clean it. Tessa doesn't want to be put down.
Living room is left uncleaned.
It's mom's day to do the dishes and empty the dishwasher. Tessa doesn't want to be put down.
Dishes are left undone.
Mom still hasn't had a shower. Tessa doesn't want to be put down.
No shower for mom.
Brady comes home. Mommy cries. Tessa cries.
Tessa just wants mom. Mom just wants a bath...alone!

Little reminder number two:
Mom gets her bath and reads The Mother in Me, trying to remind herself that she's not the only one who can't seem to get the "super mom" unitard and cape to fit.
Mom reads about mothers who struggled with nursing and she feels a little better.
She slowly moves through the chapters. She reads about mothers who lost their baby during pregnancy. Those mothers who never get to hold their little ones or see their precious faces. The tears slowly begin to fall.
Mommy misses her Tessa.
She gets dressed and runs to her sleeping baby. Mommy kisses her face and smells her skin and holds her as close as she can. "Thank you Heavenly Father for babies who don't want to be put down..." she whispers. 

Being a mother is a sacrifice. There's no way around it. But...

I'm grateful for those times during the day when Heavenly Father seems to send little reminders that tap me on the heart and help me remember why I'm a mom.

In the eternal perspective this really is a little sacrifice and, gosh you guys, I couldn't be doing anything that would make me happier.