3 things I've learned from motherhood

When I got pregnant I wasn't quite ready to be a mom. I'd never pictured myself as a 'mom' type and I just felt like I had no idea what I'd do with a baby. I was right - I had no idea what to do with a baby! But as moms we have to learn fast, am I right?! And it's not easy to be a mom. I mean, from growing a baby, and then pushing it out (ouch!!!), and then taking care of this little human day and night, feeding him, clothing him, cleaning his bum...it's like non-stop. But at the same time it's so rewarding to see them grow and learn and there's no love like the love you have for your baby. They bring so much joy to our lives, and never ever have I regretted becoming a mom (Okay maybe when Hunter is throwing a major tantrum in the middle of the mall I regret it a little..agh!)

So in honour of Mother's Day, I thought I'd share 3 things that I've learned from being a mom. 

Nothing will ever be perfect.

I'm a bit of a perfectionist, but when it comes to kids, it's just impossible to keep up to make everything perfect. I mean, you can try...but there will always be crayon on the walls and blueberry smoothie on the ceiling, and a screaming baby who refuses to get into his car seat, and clients who have to wait longer than you'd like. Over time I have just conceded that I will never have enough time to do it all, so I accept what I can do right now, and just focus on that. It can be overwhelming, especially when you're a business owner, to try to keep it all together. I've always like to get back to clients super quickly but now my littler person takes priority, and I'm not quite as quick as I used to be, but that's okay - because I'm not super human!

The most joy in life comes from family, not things.

I've always loved to buy stuff, accessories, home decor, clothes - love it!! But when you have a baby, you realize that none of those things will bring you the joy that a little tiny human will bring you. And trust me, I still love things, but at the end of the day, the things aren't really what makes you happy long term, it's only short term satisfaction before you move on to something new. Babies stick around for a whole lot longer than your new pair of pants, and they teach you so much, and it's so much fun to watch them grow. No pair of pants can do that. (at least I hope not! That would be weird.)

You are so much stronger than you believe

It's true. Before you push that tiny human into the world, you didn't realize how much you could actually accomplish. I mean the growing and pushing out of a baby is a pretty miraculous thing in itself. But once that little person arrives, you'll do anything to take care of it, and you'll do things that you previously never thought you could. When Hunter was a few months old, my husband spend a month in the hospital, and I was all alone with a baby that cried constantly unless he had my boob in his mouth. It was not the easiest time in my life. But do you know what I did?! I started to paint in the middle of the night, after he had (finally) gone to bed, because I realized that as a parent, I needed time for myself, and I wanted to start a business so that I could not only support my little one and I, but also fulfill the dreams I'd had in my head for years, but had never had the guts to go after. And here I am now, a mom to the cutest little monster, wife to an amazing dude, and a business owner, with the opportunity to work with brands and on projects that I never thought possible before. Just because you're a mom, doesn't mean you can't go after your dreams!

So here's to you Mamas. This is your day to appreciate yourself and everything you've pushed through (pun intended !!). Because you are an amazing woman and you deserve some love. Happy Mother's Day! 

xo
melo