The Little Mama That Could

You did it.

You. The same girl, who, clutching your second glass of wine because there’s really no chance you could be with child, exploded into tears when you saw “99.9 % ACCURATE” on the test that yelled “PREGNANT” at you in big, scary capital letters.

You, finally starting to show, thinking maybe this whole thing won’t be so bad, running your hand down your round belly, wondering how much you will love him, and even scarier, how much he will love you.

You, the girl who didn’t think her body or her mind were strong enough to do any of it. The girl who expected herself to fail.

You did it. You made a baby—a really cute one. So as you celebrate your little king’s first birthday, celebrate your accomplishments, too.

You successfully grew a human being. Your body and your love were exactly what your baby needed to be nourished for forty weeks and one day. Your specific chemistry infused him with confidence to enter the world knowing he’s safe and delighted in.

You survived birth, and you weren’t afraid. Because your uterus is awesome and knew just what to do. And let’s be honest, ain’t nobody got time for fear in active labor.

You rocked that epidural. You were humbled in that birth center bathtub when you pleaded for pain medication as your lunch from Chipotle dripped down your face. Good thing you did, because you made some pretty good jokes with the labor nurses once the contraction party was over.

You ingested your placenta. Because hormones.

You don’t look the same. But it doesn’t matter, because your body serves a beautiful purpose now, and your husband kind of likes your belly pooch anyway.

You made hard choices. You quit your wildly fun office job to stay home even though you were scared what people would say.  You took anxiety medicine to stay emotionally stable when you were afraid crunchy mamas all over the world would find out and plot against you. You did what was best for you and your family.

You learned to trust yourself.  Attachment parenting or Babywise? Cry it out or co-sleeping? Exclusive breastfeeding or formula? In the wake of a thousand options and opinions, you figured out how to silence anxiety and listen to your gut.

You fed your child from your body. And you conquered mastitis. Twice.

You told your entire birth story in only emoji. This may be your crowning achievement.

You survived on no sleep. With a sleepless infant as a roommate, you nourished your marriage and made new friendships and invested in hobbies and even worked from home. You also exceeded your coffee (and wine) budget.

You were courageous.  The very thing you were most afraid of in the whole world became the thing that freed you from your fears. Because life is about more than just you now, and a little boy is watching.

You made a baby. And now, your baby is making you.