No One Tells You

There are so many things no one tells you about motherhood.

No one tells you that when in labor, you really and truly think you just. can't. get that baby out.

No one tells you that when you are adjusting to nursing, that latch can bring painful tears to your eyes.

No one tells you that you may stand for hours in the middle of the night in the laundry room, baby strapped into his carseat on top of the empty-but-running dryer to attempt to calm some colicky screams.

No one tells you that you will be up in the middle of the night, stripping sheets and bathing children covered in vomit.

No one tells you that you will be pooped on.  peed on.  thrown up on.  bled on...and sometimes, all in one day.

No one tells you that your children will disobey and test you and make your insides crazy sometimes.

No one tells you that your child will cry over the toast being in triangles instead of squares.

And no one tells you that the staff at your pediatrician's office will know you and all your children by name because of the amount of time you frequent the office.

No one tells you that your children will push your buttons and be disrespectful.

No one tells you that your son will need surgery and be rushed to the emergency room.

No one tells you that motherhood is so very messy.

But...

Nor does anyone tell you that the moment that newborn bundle is placed in your arms, you can do nothing, nothing at all, but cry with pure joy and delight and the fiercest kind of love.

No one tells you how incredibly beautiful and bonding it is to nurse your sweet babe at your chest.

No one tells you that you will run like a crazy person to protect a toddler from danger.

And no one tells you how your heart will burst inside your chest when your son first says, "I love you, Mommy."

No one tells you that you will sit around the table at noon, eating noodles with your kids, genuinely enjoying their sweet company and laughing at their silly stories.

No one tells you that your heart will burst with pride the first time you see them sing on a stage.

No one tells you that you will feel a protection like a mama bear, claws ready to come out at anyone attempting to hurt your little one.

No one tells you that their little, sweet-smelling heads resting on your shoulder is the best kind of way to sit in a rocking chair.

No one tells you that you will have dance parties in the middle of a meal, or the middle of the day, or the middle of the kitchen stirring soup.

No one tells you that your heart just aches with the deep, indescribable love that you have for each of your children.

And no one tells you that the JOY they bring to your heart is the purest kind of medicine for your soul.

There are so many things that no one tells you about motherhood...instead, you get to experience the adventure of a lifetime.