happy

I remember asking my mom when I was young, maybe 12 years old, why did she have us kids? Why did she want so many kids? I sincerely wanted to know why. And she simply responded: "Because having children makes us happy."

Growing up, I always thought about that. "Having children makes you happy." Sometimes I would think that having children was just so much work. Pregnancy was hard. Child labor hurt. Babies are demanding. Kids talk back. But no, I would tell myself, having children makes you happy.

I always knew I wanted to have children as long as I can remember. I was never ambitious enough to have a dream career or whatever and I always looked forward to my future family. But I don't think I really understood what my mom meant by saying that children make you happy until I had my own little baby.

The minute I held Cole in my arms I was completely in love. I was absolutely obsessed with him. Every little thing he did was the most adorable thing I had ever seen. I just kept saying "He is so cute. He is SO cute." I loved the way he immediately knew how to suck. I loved his hair, his little nose, his big hands and feet. Obsessed. I was so happy. So happy to be his mama.

He's going on a year and a half now and I think I'm starting to understand what my mom meant.  Pregnancy IS hard. Child labor DOES hurt. Babies ARE demanding. And I have yet to experience a talking-back baby, but Cole sure does know how to throw tantrums ;) And yet, I feel like I'm happier than I have ever been in my entire life. I love watching Cole grow, learn new things, play, enjoy life. I love him so much.

There is something so completely satisfying in knowing that the little person you created and welcomed into the world is happy and thriving. So, as I'm in the early stages of motherhood, I'm starting to understand how having children makes you happy. Because I am very very happy to be the mother to one sweet little boy :)
Thanks to my mom for teaching me this :)

ps, Happy Mother's Day to my mom!