Adventures in Motherhood

I am a daughter. I am an aunt. I am a friend, a cousin, and sister. But nearly 3 years ago when those 2 pink lines showed up on a home pregnancy test, I added yet another role: Mommy. Some stick made out of plastic that I just peed on has determined the rest of my life. And I never looked back.
As my tummy grew larger and the little flutters of baby feet kicked in (literally), I fell in love with this sea-monkey inside of me more and more each day. Being only 19, I certainly had statistics to overcome. I wanted to raise my baby myself, and not with my parents. I wanted to devote every minute of everyday to being a mother, and not look back and wish I was still out partying with my friends. I wanted to be the best mother I could be; not only for my child, but to show everyone I could. And everyday since those little pink lines appeared, I've done just that.
I remember waddling around the track, making terrible tasting healthy meals and snacks, rubbing ridiculous amounts of cocoa butter on my belly, and singing and reading to my unborn baby all throughout the day. I was so in love, and she wasn't even here yet.
Every doctors appointment was a miracle; that little heart beat, the healthy reports, I had never felt so lucky or proud to be doing such a good job. I knew that this was only the beginning of the rewards I would experience throughout motherhood, and could not wait for more. Although pregnant for what is technically 10 months, the fact that 2 cells can create a child never grew old. The fact that I had to do next to nothing but lay back and let my body take control, is astounding. Each day I was in total awe, until the day she was born; then I was speechless.
6lb14oz Lyla Ann was in a hurry when she came out after only 17 minutes of pushing. The doctors put her right on my chest and I got to meet my daughter for the first time. I believe my first words (when I finally found them) were "Hi. Happy Birthday." I didn't know what else to say. I just pushed out a child! A living, breathing, perfectly healthy, beautiful baby girl.
That was nearly 2 years ago, and the fact that she is mine still leaves me in awe. There are still moments everyday where I'll stop and just stare at my now toddler and think "She was inside of me! I created her!" And the rewards over these past 2 years are countless. Knowing that I devote all my time to being the best mother I can be, and seeing what a happy, healthy child she is, is THE most rewarding thing in this world. Children will grow to be like their parents, so I try my hardest to be patient and calm with her, which can be very difficult when she's disobeying or throwing a famous terrible 2's temper tantrum. But I am confident in my discipline when I hear Lyla playing with a doll and saying things like "you say please?" or "one more time then all done" and even "you want a time out?" It puts a smile on my face and is the utmost reassurance I can have.
Every now and then I'll flip through her baby book, which starts with that life changing plastic stick, ultrasounds, big-belly pictures, her birth, and her first year of life; all the milestones dated with a picture to accompany it. And I still cannot believe she's mine. I still cannot believe that those little pink lines lead to a child who is now walking and talking, and is so filled with life. Everytime she calls me "Mommy" my heart melts. I thought I'd get used to this whole Mommy-thing, but I am still in total and utter amazement of this little girl, who is all mine.