Little Moments

A special thank you to Gerber for sponsoring this Mother's Day post and challenging me to pause and really reflect on all the little moments that make motherhood worthwhile. 

The first year is full of so many challenges and frustrations that even the most patient of us have those "what in the world did I get myself into?" moments. 

Dropping an entire bottle of pumped milk onto the floor and helplessly watching it seep into the cracks of the tile. Staying up all night long because your baby isn't interested in sleeping more than 30 minutes total. Arguing with your spouse over who is going to clean up the latest blowout while your baby screams at 2 a.m. 

It's also full of so many firsts and special moments.  

The first time you meet your baby,  the first time their lips pull up into a gummy smile, the first time your ears hear the sweet word "mama."  The first time those little legs come toddling towards you. 

Somehow, the good balances out the bad and we make it to their first birthday prouder (and perhaps more tired) than we've ever been of this tiny human we've nurtured and raised into a budding toddler. 

This Mother's Day Gerber asked me reflect and share on all those little moments that make Motherhood "worth it." What has surprised me most is how those moments just keep coming after the first year. And really, how they just keep getting sweeter. Little man is growing and learning and amazing me every single day. There isn't one day that goes by that I don't thank my lucky stars that I was picked to be his momma. 

It is July and we are splashing at the shore. You're clinging tight to my shoulder as we chase the tide back and forth, squealing as the salty breeze ruffles your whisps of sunkissed hair. 

It is September and you are chowing down on an apple cider donut. Your eyes sparkle and your lips are covered in cinnamon sugar. You are covered in sweat, leading us on a wild goose chase through a never ending corn maze as we marvel at how quickly you went from crawling to walking to running.

It is October and we are boarding your very first ride at Disney World. We are taking off and you are squealing with delight as our elephant rises and falls. You are chanting "again! again!" as the ride slows to a stop and we know this won't be the last time today that we ride this attraction. 

It is January and we are throwing on coats and boots and mittens as fast as we possibly can. We are rushing outside and marveling at the flaky, white snowflakes falling softly all around us. It's the magic of a first snowfall. 

It is April and we are coasting the back canals in Pop Pop's boat, our hair wild around us in the wind. You are squealing and sticking out your tongue as we bounce over the wake from other boats. You are brave and bold leaning over the edge, and I know I will always worry about you no matter how old you are. 

It is Mother's Day and we are standing at the edge of the ocean, as the sky turns a cotton candy pink. "Moon" you say as we take in our very first sunrise together. "Sun" I correct you, and you repeat it several times, trying out the word. Your little hand is holding mine and you feel so small, yet so big at the same time. 

These little moments are stored in the back of my mind like a slideshow. On our toughest days I pull them out and play them one after the other in my head. They remind me that on the horizon after every long, challenging day is a moment in time that will make me remember how worth it motherhood is. 

"Yeah I live for, little moments, like that."

-Brad Paisley

This Mother's Day, Gerber is recognizing all the blood, sweat, and tears that women put into motherhood. All the late nights, the headaches, and heartaches and worrying about whether you're doing it right. Make sure to share your little moments using the hashtag #growingupgerber. Keep up the good fight mommas, your children are your most important, and most precious work.