It starts with cravings, tastes-a-changing,
A body rounding with curves rearranging.
It's reading, learning, planning, breathing,
Through pain and uncontrollable feelings.
It's what motherhood means to me.
It's losing sleep with midnight feedings,
Worrying and checking to make sure little ones are breathing.
It's milestones and checkups, diapers that need changing,
Not worrying that the spit up on your shirt is staining.
It's what motherhood means to me.
It's crawling, first steps, and Frankenstein walking,
Climbing, sliding, giggling, and laughing.
Into the mouth, everything gets a tasting,
It's the puréed vegetables oozing out of the mouth wasting.
It's what motherhood means to me.
It's growing, exploring, ready for learning,
First days of preschool, for friends you are yearning.
Shapes and colors and numbers for counting,
Watching your desire for independence mounting.
It's what motherhood means to me.
It's first bus rides, backpacks, lunches for packing,
Goldfish, pretzels, and popcorn for snacking.
Fundraisers, homework, help with studying,
Reading at bedtime, your confidence is budding.
It's what motherhood means to me.
It's hours at the ballpark, through games we are cheering,
Dirt-covered pants with holes that you're wearing.
Replacing of shoes you're constantly outgrowing,
Don't forget the snow boots for the day that it's snowing.
It's what motherhood means to me.
It's graduation, and middle school, a new world you're experiencing,
Full of responsibility and freedom, all things a bit enticing.
It's late nights filled with projects and prepping for testing,
So much for thinking we'd be doing more resting.
It's what motherhood means to me.
It's struggles and challenges and uncertainty about what we're doing,
But keeping the faith that our path is what we should be choosing.
It's our love growing stronger with every day passing,
Holding onto the moments while they are lasting.
It's what motherhood means to me.
It's realizing our time is ever so fleeting,
But cherishing every step and turn we are meeting.
For nothing could be more of a blessing,
Than loving a child, for this takes no guessing.
It's what motherhood means to me.
