9am. The sun was up in all it’s glory. Jamaine and Kalia were wide awake, ready to start the day.

I sluggishly settled both babies in the living room so I could eat a quick breakfast.

I popped Jamaine’s Dora the Explorer DVD in the player and plopped her on the mini sofa. Kalia was content cooing in her crib while looking at Winnie the Pooh.

I headed to the kitchen to fix myself some hot chocolate, my morning cup of comfort.

Before I could even take a sip, Jamaine decided she was going to embark on her own exploration. She walked toward the TV rack, pressed all the buttons in the DVD player, yanked the hdmi cables, and proceeded to pull on the electrical plug.

I darted toward her to cut her mini exploration short when Kalia suddenly let out that unmistakable “pfffttt” sound, signaling her nth poop for the morning.

I was tired, hungry, smelly and sleepy. It seemed that the mom fairies forgot to sprinkle some magic dust on me.

On days like this, I need to remind myself what I love about being a mother.

I love being a mom…

• because motherhood has enabled me to grow and care for a life inside me for 9 months. (And if you’ve ever been pregnant, you’ll agree with me that it’s not that easy.)
• because motherhood has strengthened me to bring a new life into this world, making me a vehicle for an amazing creation.
• when I get wet kisses and mini embraces from Jamaine.
• when Kalia’s hand wraps around my finger.
• when I hear Jamaine say “Mommy.”
• when I am able to lull Kalia to sleep singing “What a wonderful world.”
• when I get to explore ordinary things through Jamaine’s extraordinary eyes.
• when Kalia looks at me, making me feel like I’m the world’s greatest mommy.
• when Jamaine excitedly comes up to me even if we’ve only been away for a few minutes.
• when I glimpse Kalia’s random smile.
• when I hear Jamaine’s hearty laughter.

Oftentimes, I am daunted with the enormous responsibility of raising children. But I choose to see it as a priceless privilege motherhood has given me.

More than that, I love being a mom because it has allowed me to give and experience one of life’s greatest gifts: unconditional love.

Thanks to Mai for reminding me to think about it.

Tagged as: babies, Motherhood, Parenting