Yesterday I was dragging. I’m not sure if it was the rainy weather or allergies keeping me down, but I could have easily curled up in bed all day reading Steve Jobs biography. (Yes, I’ve been interested in reading it for so long that I’ve delayed reading 50 Shades of Grey in favor of learning more about the Apple icon. Don’t laugh.)
Anyways, of course I didn’t have the option to stay curled up in bed because duty called (or actually coo’d) in the form of a smiling, wiggly baby girl. No bumming for me.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve slept past 7:00am, weekend or weekday. I don’t remember what it feels like to truly have a whole day to myself to fill with whatever I choose. Heck, I don’t remember what it feels like to be able to pick out what to wear without thinking about Hailey’s access to “lunch” if we’re out and about.
Sunday is Mother’s Day, and much like my birthday, this holiday has taken on a whole new meaning to me this year. I’ve always called and sent a card and tried to make it a point to thank my mom for all the things she did for me growing up.
I know there were nights she’d sit outside my door, checking on me every few minutes until I went to sleep because I was scared. I remember her patiently wiping my face with a cool rag when I got sick. I remember the trip to Europe my parents went on and how she left me an entire Little House on the Prairie book she read aloud on tape so she could still read me a bedtime story before bed, even from an ocean away. I remember her becoming a vegetarian with me for 5 years and making sure we always had healthy food to eat. I remember her tirelessly rolling my super thick hair into curlers before dance and cheerleading competitions. I remember how much my mom loved me through these everyday actions.
But what about all those things I don’t remember?
Now that I’m a mom, I realize how much my mom put into me before I even knew it. Long before I was keeping her up all night out gallivanting in my teenage years, I was keeping her up all night with kicks in utero and then as a crying baby. She went through the sleepless nights, the dirty diapers, the missed social gatherings and all. How do I ever go about thanking her for that?
I realize I probably can’t, no matter how many times I say thank you.
Only now can I appreciate all the things she did for me that I never even recognized, but now I can see why she never demanded recognition or praise. Being a mom is a gift in itself. Is it hard work and trying at times? Absolutely, but it’s the most gratifying, satisfying job I could ever have and I’m so grateful to be a mom. Plus, now that I’m a mom, I see the thank yous everyday from Hailey.
I feed her and she grins back at me with that gummy smile. That’s her thank you.
I read her a book and play peek-a-boo and she giggles. That’s her thank you.
She bumps her head and I pick her up, rock her and she quiets down and grabs onto my shirt. That’s her thank you.
And many times I want to say thank you right back to her. Thank you for filling my life with more love and joy than I ever imagined.
So happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there. To my amazing mom-in-law, thank you for all you did to raise such an honest, loving and strong man that I get to call my husband. To my Nannie and Grandma Betty, you two obviously worked hard and raised some fabulous kids, and I’m so grateful you put in all the time and love you did.
And to my mom, thank you a million times (…plus one I’m sorry for that awful year when I was 14 
). Thank you for all the love, sweat and tears you put into raising Kris and me. I hope I brought you even half as much joy as Hailey has brought me.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
This was the sweetest post ever. I love my mom and everything she does for me, but you’re right – I probably won’t know exactly all that she did for me until I have a kid of my own.
Kathy says
Beautifully written! Happy Mother’s Day!!!!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
That is beautiful, Brittany. It makes me appreciate Mama Smart so much more than I already do, and, even though I’m not sure I will become a mom myself, I am so grateful for the mom who raised me.
You might have just inspired me to my own tribute. 🙂
Carly says
This post brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for such a lovely post – you are a wonderful daughter and mother!
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
Happy (almost) Mother’s Day to you! I love my mom, and she does so much for me, but I never know how to thank her. She always tells me that she doesn’t want me to buy her a gift, so I usually give her a card and go out to lunch with her, or something. I’m sure I won’t know how it feels until I have kids of my own!
Michelle says
You have me crying now!
Meri says
Wow! Beautifully written! I can appreciate this post so much now that I am a mama too! Happy early Mother’s Day!
Michelle says
My church does the baby dedication every year on Mothers Day this year my daughter will be dedicated. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate mothers day. She is after all the reason I am a mother 🙂
Alex says
Tear….very well written. Happy first mothers day lady!!
Jessie @ Graze With Me says
Such a wonderful post! It’s so true how much I never knew about/appreciated the things my mom did for me. (I was a nightmare at 14 too!) Having a baby definitely makes you realize just what ‘being a mom’ truly is!
Lyric’s new thing is waking up @ 5:45. No matter what time she goes to sleep she’s up & ready to play that early. I keep saying that when she’s a teenager I’m going to wake her up @ 5:45 every weekend to pay her back…. 😉
And the funny thing about sharing my experiences of motherhood with my mom??? She keeps laughing at me!!! Payback is a b!tch!
Kelly says
Beautiful post! Not a mom here, but someday 🙂
Stefanie says
Beautiful. Happy Mothers Day to you!
blackhuff says
It’s such a beautiful post dedicated to your mom. Happy mothers day to you too.
Jamie @ FoodinRealLife says
Sniffle! that was so sweet and I totally have been feeling similar overwhelming gratitude for my mom lately. It’s amazing how life comes full circle.
Katie says
Okay – I’m at work sitting at my desk with teary eyes! So well written! As a mom to two beautiful boys and as a daughter I can so relate. Just having you acknowledge all your mom has done has to make her feel so good – plus it’s another reminder of the fantastic baby girl she raised. Thanks for the post – I’ll be sure to share some of these same sentiments with my own spectacular mom!!
Oh – and Happy (early) Mother’s Day to you!!!!
Maria says
Well said! Moms are irreplaceable. I’m 28 and still need my mom every single day. Whether its for advice, to lend a ear, or agree with me (even when I’m wrong), she’s there. Always.
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
so sweet. made me cry 🙂 happy mother’s day!
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
this is the sweetest thing in the entire world. I’m SUPER excited for the mother’s day/birthday surprise I have coming my mama’s way… 😉
Dad says
Brittany, what a well written, loving, and deserved tribute to your Mom (my wife). We are both fortunate to have her in our lives! You are a wonderful daughter and super Mom!
Jasmina says
Beautiful Post Brittany 🙂
Heather @ Fit Mama Real Food says
Such a beautiful post! I cannot wait to be a mommy. I know it will be a lot of work, but I can’t see anything else that will be as rewarding. Happy early mothers day to you 🙂
Parita @ myinnershakti says
LOVE LOVE LOVE! Such a beautiful post. My mom is my angel and I feel blessed to be her daughter!
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston says
Very sweet Brittany!
lindsay says
You are precious, as a mom and as a daughter. I needed this today as i am about to see my mom! thankful.
Danielle says
How beautiful and how true! Thanks, Britt. That was an awesome post 🙂
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Aww love this! Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Maya says
That brought a tear to my eye! Beautiful!
Lauren B. says
Can I please copy this word for word and put it my Mom’s card this year? :). Beautifully written. Happy 1st Mothers Day!
Lisa says
Such a sweet post! So thoughtful!! I have a post written out on Sunday for my mama too. Aren’t moms just the best thing ever?
Sherry says
Okay, my baby girl, you have me sitting here crying and I have a listing appointment to go to in 20 minutes. That was the most beautifully written and loving “thank you” card!
You and Kris are my greatest accomplishments! Being a mom IS the most gratifying and satisfying career that I could imagine. Because of y’all (and your fabulous dad) my life has been blessed with more love, joy, and happiness than I would ever thought possible. And now you have given me the most wonderful gift of all—Hailey–another angel to love and watch grow! Thank you for being the most perfect daughter in the world!!
Christine says
Beautiful post!
Enjoy your first mother’s day!
amy says
so sweet!! i love that pic of your little girl in her robe haha shes so cute. im 23 weeks pregnant right now with a little lady and cant wait for all this fun stuff!
Maura @ My Healthy 'Ohana says
You’re so right…there’s a whole other level of appreciation for my mom that I experienced after having my daughter 🙂 What a beautiful post…hope you have a wonderful first mother’s day!!
Lauren says
Beautiful post! Hailey gets cuter by the day…I hope you have a wonderful first Mother’s Day 🙂 Let me know if you want some more current pictures…she is so photogenic!
Katie @ Pop Culture Cuisine says
What a great reminder…thank you so much!
Shari says
This is so beautiful!!
Brittany from CountingMyCupcakes says
This is such a beautiful post Brittany! I’m not a mom yet, but I still felt like I could relate. I feel like I could never say enough ‘thank yous’ to my mom for all she has done for me and my family. Moms are amazing and I can’t wait to be one myself one day 🙂