Gosh. I'm in love this morning. Even after our last few horrible nights (up and down, changing diapers, nursing, crying - on both ends - rocking back to sleep, finally crawling back into my own bed, only to find out that ten minutes later...), my dear daughter has me at awe in the wee hours of the morning. I really thought I knew the feeling of "unconditional love" when I got my dog three years ago. Your pup knows nothing but to love you right from the start, they never get mad at you, don't hold grudges, or get disappointed in you. But my little baby girl. That's where the real love is at. There are moments in the day where I am so tired that I feel like I'm about to fall over, or I get so frustrated because I can't help her calm down or figure out what she wants or needs. But when I take a look down at that sweet little face while she's nursing, or just dozing off to sleep, and she gives me a little smirk and her eyes light up, and she gives the sweetest little "coo," I melt. Not even Daddy gets this sort of relationship with her, not yet at least. Right now, she depends solely on Mommy. I am her only source of nutrients, I clean her up, and I've got that magic touch to lay her in the crib without waking her up (at least sometimes!). Motherhood is the hardest job. You give and give and give, and even when you think you're spent, you have to give some more. But you get it back. Maybe not right away, or all the time. But each little smile, every little grunt and squeal, all the milestones she successfully passes - those are the best repayments for all the love we give. I may not be ecstatic every minute of motherhood, but when I have moments like these - a rush of all the very best emotions - life seems perfect from every point of view. 💛