Some days, it still doesn’t seem real that Baby M is my child—whom I created (well, with a little help from my husband), nurtured for 9 months, and birthed. Other times, I can’t imagine my life before he came into the world. Motherhood is unpredictable, wild, and frustrating at times, but it’s an absolutely exhilarating and fulfilling journey that I know will only get better and better.

How I know I’m a mother…

In my “free” time, I google “x month milestones,” “is my baby’s poop normal?” and “breastfeeding while working”

In whatever “free” time I’m not googling baby questions, I’m scrolling through the hundreds of photos of my baby on my phone (they never get old!)

I routinely go 2 or 3 days without washing my hair (and will possibly buy stock in dry shampoo companies!)

I have no shame in rocking maternity pants 4 months after giving birth

I no longer feel guilty for sleeping late on the weekends (because, duh, sleep is precious!)

Instead of turning away from passers-by and their smiling children, I smile back

Instead of thinking 90% of babies are ugly and scary, I notice how cute they are (though not nearly as cute as my own)

I’d rather buy yet another onesie for Baby M than the dress, jewelry, etc. I’ve been eying for myself for months

Boogers and snot no longer cause me to gag (ok, they do, but I handle them much better)

I fight back the tears myself when trying to console my over-tired, cranky, irritable baby—and think to myself, “I’d do anything to stop his suffering”

I haven’t truly cleaned my house in 4 months

Baby giggles are the most beautiful music to my ears

Nothing smells as sweet as a freshly-bathed baby slathered in lavender lotion and baby cologne

I don’t mind at all that I haven’t gone out on a Friday or Saturday night in months

I fall more in love with my husband each time he tickles Baby M, changes his diaper, soothes him to sleep, and, yes, even makes him fart 😉

I know that my baby is, objectively, the cutest little person ever to have been born

I have a sense of purpose and capacity for love far greater than I’d ever imagined

[Linking up for some Thinking Out Loud today]