you know you're a mom when...

• you spend your Christmas money on clothes for your kids (no regrets though, the turtle swimsuit I found for Mckai at Gap is to die for!)
• your meals each day consist of everything your child didn't eat.
• you can't wait for bedtime and then once they're asleep, all you want to do is wake them up for just a few more kisses.
• you close the door to go to the bathroom and within seconds, things are being pushed under the door and you see little fingers trying to reach under...
• you feel like you got ready for the day when you switch from pajamas to a pair of sweats or leggings.
• you send pictures to your husband of poop in the bathtub or some other mess from the day rather than sexy pictures.
• you choose where you're going for dinner based on if it has a drive through or not (hallelujah for Costa Vida in Saratoga Springs having one!!)
• going grocery shopping alone feels like some good quality self care.
• going on vacation feels like a lot of work!
• you go on trips anyway because you want your little one to experience the world and love it like you do.
• you end up pushing an empty stroller (okay, not empty because at least it's holding all the bags!) while trying to keep track of a busy toddler.
• you celebrate when they eat just ONE bite of their dinner! And then try to act like it's no big deal so you don't jinx their sudden "food eating streak".
• you have Boss Baby memorized.
• taking a bath or a shower by yourself feels like a vacation.
• you've picked up food off the floor, checked for dog hair and when it's found clean, placed it back on their plate.
• absolutely nothing is yours and yours alone. "no mom, share!"

Being a mom.... it's a very special kind of journey. It's hard. It's glorious. And it's my favorite job in the world (which means a lot because I love my job!) It's wanting nothing but the best for your little ones, crying over their hard times and laughing over their cute little mannerisms. It's fearing everything and yet fearing nothing at all. It's selflessness at it's finest but feeling selfish because you desperately want just a minute of alone time. It's make pretending and hide and seeking. It's putting off cleaning and laundry for car races and coloring. It's kissing things better, picking them up when life feels too tough for them, and reluctantly giving them the independence they crave.

Being a mom. It's the best and scariest roller coaster I've ever been on.