Motherhood has not been what I thought it would be. I didn’t even have that many expectations, so that’s surprising. In honor of my 40 years here are the 40 Best & Worst things about being a mom.
The Best
1. That first smile greeting me in the morning is my favorite one.
2. But the rest of them are pretty good too.
3. Baby toes are the best.
4. Little fingers gripping mine.
5. Seeing myself and Jason in him.
6. Grandparent visits.
7. Naps!
8. Watching Gage chase Max. Poor Max.
9. Bedtime kisses.
10. Clean bill of health doctor visits.
11. Knowing that after 28+ hours of labor I can pretty much do anything.
12. Hearing Gage say mama (even though he has yet to actually say it to me).
13. Watching Gage learn new things.
14. Dancing with my little man.
15. Hearing Gage laugh with Jason.
16. When he falls asleep in the car seat.
17. Watching Gage brighten people’s day when he chats them up as we’re out running errands.
18. Seeing that Gage loves books and reading to him when he takes the book out of his mouth long enough.
19. Having a closer relationship with my mom.
20. I’m not nearly so concerned with my own crap anymore.
21. Sleeping all night with no interruptions. This does happen sometimes.
22. Saturday mornings when Jason takes over and I get to sleep in.
23. As a genealogy nut it’s nice to see another branch added to the family tree.
24. The pressure of having a perfect body has melted away (as the pounds have packed on).
25. Being able to stay at home with Gage is a blessing (but I still need mom mental health days)
26. Gage hugs.
27. Showing him new things.
28. Listening to his nonsense babble.
29. Having the best baby-rearing partner in Jason. He’s an awesome dad.
30. Knowing that the 1st year is hardest and it will get easier (if I am wrong on this, please don’t tell me!)
31. Buying baby clothes, even for boys, is more fun that I thought it would be.
32. Taking Gage to My Gym and library storytimes are fun for both of us.
33. Finally! Someone who likes my singing.
34. The love.
The Worst
35. A baby really cuts into reading time, LOL!
36. The constant need to change my clothes and his.
37. The knowledge that most of what’s happening is really out of your control.
38. There are no sick days for mom.
39. Those cute teeth are sharp and he’s not afraid to use them! (He’s up to 8 teeth :))
40. Feeling like a big failure at least once a day.
The Giveaway
Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win this beautiful journal and Godiva truffle bar. It really is a beautful lined journal-I have one myself.
I’ll draw a winner on October 19th.
Birthday Photo
I’m 5 1/2 here and have the 1970’s hair flip (think Charlie’s Angels) and denim outfit going on.
Stacy's Books 
I love it…even your worsts are pretty upbeat! Pinkim
In this picture you look like the one of Gage up above! I love #33! What is so funny is that my niece used to start screaming when my sister (her mom) or I would sing to her. (and I use the word “sing” very loosely). I think she was born with maybe a better ear than most babies who love singing no matter what! LOL
A baby is LOVE! What is better than that?!! Loved your points…
And you are so pretty in that photo as you are now!
Gage is adorable, and I love the photo of you as a child!
I hear ya on those! Those smiles and laughs and how they grow and you get to be apart of all that makes it worth being a parent! Awesome!!! A big hug to all of you!
I swear Gage gets cuter every week! I think Jill is right – Gage’s photo resembles your old picture.
Cute baby photo. Count me in please!
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I see a lot of you in Gage! Your lists were fun to read.
Don’t feel like a failure! It sounds to me like you are doing a wonderful job and no one is perfect! You have a happy baby and you sound happy so that’s what’s important!
Love the photos!
I love both pictures. Gage looks a lot like you. Your motherhood points are great. Now you know how wonderful and precious motherhood really is. And, it only gets better!
Aww, great list! (Also, you should probably get yourself an adult-sized version of that denim outfit. So stylish! 😉 )
I was nodding my head through the entire list. When my kids got about 9 or so they’d say, “please don’t sing mom!”. LOL
I think you are adorable and I can really see Gage in that photo of you! I understood so many things on your list! Never think of yourself as a failure though…being a parent is and always will be the hardest job in the world!
LOL I can imagine Gage is a real little charmer and you look so cute 🙂
Love your list, it’s completely relatable, I see so many of my own “best” & “worst” put on paper lol
Great list. And yes I think the first year is the toughest, at least it was for me.
Gage is adorable. I love both pictures!
Aww, I love your lists! And the 70’s flip… definitely Charlie’s Angels. I had that style, too!
I’m with you on #30!
When did your mom find time to flip your hair? I’m glad I have a boy – I don’t need to learn how to braid or wear makeup or girly girl things like that which I never got around to doing :0)
I love that you are rocking it at just 5.5!
And your list was awesome … though I’m impressed you didn’t list naps as #1!!! And that you had many more pros than cons!!
Love your duckie decorations on your pant suit!!
It’s wonderful that your list of “Bests” is so much longer than your list of “Worsts”. It’s pretty cool how having a baby puts life in perspective like nothing else can since it’s no longer about you anymore.
The smile that you get from adorable Gage many, many times a day is proof you are not a failure at all. I’m sure you know you aren’t but it’s one thing to know it’s another thing dealing with emotions and how you feel.
I love journals. Thank you for offering such a beautiful one in your giveaway.
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Stacy, that was a beautiful definition of motherhood. You’re right – there are a lot more pluses than minuses. Although you’re right that the first year is hard, there are others that are challenging. I won’t tell you which ones are hard, but when he is four and then fourteen, we’ll talk about it again.
O my gosh, I love that list. I so relate. Especially to the singing. I love that (at least for now) he loves my singing. 🙂 Baby smiles and laughs are the best aren’t they!!
Love your list, Stacy. I found myself nodding along and laughing with you. And the smile on your 5-year-old face is just precious!
Very nicely done list, Stacy. I love your picture and the Charlie’s Angels reference. You are a great mom!! Many, many exciting things to come for all of you! Cherish every moment.
At least all the wonderful things outweigh the negatives. Happy birthday!!
Stacy, that’s quite a list and I loved it. Nodded my head and agreed all over the place. The first year is tough. There will be other tough times, but Margot is right – we’ll talk at 4, 14, and maybe 21? LOL
You were a real cutie!! You and Gage have the same smile it seems. 🙂
Oooh great list. 🙂 And the journal isn’t so bad either. 😉
He is so cute 🙂
What a lovely post. On the reading all I can say is iphone kindle app is the best invention ever.
The list of good things is always longer!
I agree with your list about motherhood 🙂
Adorable pictures and adorable journal! I would love to win.