Motherhood

I don't know if anyone else feels like me, but before I had kids, and when we were trying to have kids, I thought a lot about how my life was going to be when I had them.
I had visions of snuggling, yummy smelling babies, who laughed, played, slept, and who I got to dress up like dolls all day long.
And some of that is true.
When they're still babies.
Then come the toddler years.
And I envisioned those being full of playing, reading books, teaching, and just overall fun.
Sure, I knew I'd be cleaning up poopy diapers, messy fingers, and that it all wouldn't be this glamorized idea that I had in my head. I was an older sister and very hands on auntie prior to becoming a mom. I've done toddler before.
I knew I'd be picking up food thrown on the floor beneath the high chair, and toys would be everywhere.
What I didn't know, is that this would be all the time.
When you hear other moms that have gone before you talking about cleaning up toys constantly, and not knowing where their days went, and other similar comments, you don't really KNOW what they're talking about.
I sure do now.
It wasn't so much when Lauren was this age, but, and I've come to learn VERY well, Mya is a completely different story.
Today, thus far, I've stepped on blocks (twice), had to wash the "favorite B" (which is a tragedy every single time) because I watched her practically blow her nose into it, cleaned up waffle, muffin, milk, grilled cheese, and peaches up off the floor.
Watched her look at me and spit out her milk all down the front of her shirt that had been on for all of 3 minutes. The second shirt of the day.
Dunked her head under the kitchen faucett because she smeared peach juice all over her hair (didn't wash it, because there is still one meal to be had today).
Changed fresh sheats because someone had a little bit of an accident last night (that one belongs to Lo).
Got ready for the day with one foot on the bathroom door to keep it from being closed on me repeatedly, because shutting doors is really fun.
Watched Monsters Vs. Aliens twice. She likes to dance to the music in it.
Removed her from trying to climb onto the door of the dishwasher I don't know how many times while unloading it, while also trying to keep the racks out to unload because she continually pushes them in.
Knocked her over at least 3 times because she keeps sneaking up behind me while I'm doing something and I don't know she's there.
Constantly moving things left at too low of a level by the 3 year old to higher ground to avoid "Mya's got my (insert toy here)" tantrums.
Put everything from her dresser back into it. Taking every article of clothing out while Mom is in the shower is really fun.
I'm exhausted. It's 3:05.
There was some play time in there. We read some books today, and built a castle with the blocks that I stepped on, colored for a bit, tickled, wrestled, and laughed.
But I'm still exhausted.
Before I had kids, I never knew how glorious nap time was.
Once again, I sure do now.
Love my kids - awake and asleep - but things sure are nice when they're asleep.
And somehow, I'm always so happy to see them when they wake up.
When you become a mom, I think you gain a really short memory. Because no matter what they do to you, you keep coming back for more.
And every kiss, every hug, every smile still melts my heart, regardless of what they spilled, dropped, broke, or screamed at me 2 minutes ago.
There are some things that I expected, and a whole lot more that I didn't.
But I still wouldn't change this for anything.