Before I Was a Mom

I haven't posted anything yet, because I was trying to think of just the right words to say. I received the thoughts below from a good friend of mine earlier in the week. But I wanted to reflect on just one part of this poem.

When I was pregnant with our son, Jake, I was in a covenant group with one of my dear friends. He constantly asked me how I was doing...how I was feeling and how excited I was getting at the impending arrival of our first child.

I remember one of our conversations after Jake was born where Rick came up to me and asked, "So how does it feel to have your heart walking outside of your body?" At first that question took me back a little, then Rick continued, "My wife said that after she had our children she knew what it was like to have your heart outside of your body."

Words cannot describe what children do to your life. We all have heard or said many times, "It'll change your life." But more than that. When you give birth to a child a piece of you is outside of you walking, talking, experiencing life all over again. Cherish this time...for they grow up too fast. Enjoy the special quiet times with just you and RB...for those are the most precious times of your life.

God Bless you and your expanding family,

Carol

Before I was a Mom

Before I was a Mom, I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Spit on. Chewed on. Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests. Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.