The Highs and Lows of Being a Mom

Reflections on Mother’s Day

I thought I had the flu. I was definitely feeling out of sorts.

When the doctor ordered a pregnancy test and it came back positive, I was truly shocked.

I was married and we wanted kids so it wasn’t unplanned but it was one thing to plan and a whole other thing to hear have it happen.

Hearing the news that I was to be a mother was life-altering.

After the shock wore off, I got excited. I loved my pregnancy. I discovered swimming and prenatal yoga. I took excellent care of myself.

Being pregnant can feel like carrying this magical secret, except for most of the nine months other people can see it too. I couldn’t stop smiling.

After a beautiful home birth, my first son was here. Laying eyes on him was one of the most joyous moments in my life.

Having kids is not all rainbows and roses. I definitely had to stretch myself to learn how to manage my new life with work and a baby. But we did it.

Then a second and a third came. Each time was different yet familiar.

I count my blessings since I encountered others not as lucky: having a difficult pregnancy, a sick baby, or even a loss is more common than I knew prior to my…