Baby Love...My Baby Love

I never thought of myself as much of a "baby person" before I had kids. Of course I always wanted kids, but I was hoping to skip ahead as quickly as possible to the part where they could talk to me and I could teach them colors and numbers and Bible stories and such. I tried working in the church nursery because my sister was the coordinator. We were in a Pentecostal church at the time, and sometimes that hour turned into two if "the Spirit was moving." I was nearly bored to tears by the time the prayed-through mamas finally arrived to pick up their little angels. Miracle of all miracles, I had my first baby and I was in love--maybe not from day 1--but at least from the first ultrasound. My love has grown more intense as I relax into my role as mama to 3 babies. Here are some ways I know I'm in love with my babies.

* Even though I'm sleep deprived, I look forward to greeting them and seeing the big smile when I go to pick them up in the morning.

*I think babies smell like pancakes and maple syrup in the mornings.

* When I didn't see legs in my first ultrasound, I was already mentally redesigning my house and thinking about what kind of little wheelchair I could use for my child. (This was all a figment of my overprotective imagination. She was born with 2 legs and all other appropriate appendages.)

* I would rather buy my baby a new outfit than one for myself.

* I would give up the last 2 cookies to my 2 girls (maybe after trying to talk them into sharing one).

* I am willing to give up some luxuries of life (vacations, new home, a shower) to stay at home with my kids.

* I am perfectly okay with holding my baby through an entire 3-hour nap. (Sadly, I could only do this with the first one.)

* The thought of someone hurting my child makes me cry.

* The thought of sending my child to school all day makes me cry.

* The mention of their names makes me swell with pride.

* I am already praying for their future, their spouses, their career, their walk with God; and they're all age 3 and under.

* All my reasons for having only 2 children went out the window when I met my 2.