Things I've learned from being a Mom

1. How to love selflessly
2. Sleep is over-rated (or so I tell myself)
3. The amount of laundry doubles exponentially with each new family member
4. Sunlight Laundry Bars are like magic erasers for baby poop (and almost any other child-related stain)
5. My children's laughter is like instant sunshine
6. Lunch ideas are the hardest to come up with
7. Eating while your dinner is still hot is a small miracle
8. Kids thrive on routine
9. Baby Tylenol and Advil are my friends
10. Long, hot, un-interupted showers are a luxury
11. Six pretzels will fit into a DVD player
12. A googley eye up the nose translates into a ER visit for extraction
13. My kids feelings are worth more than a broken plate or vase
14. Being a mom is a privilege
15. Marshmallows and fishy crackers are like crack for children
16. Your toddler will repeat everything you say, especially the things you don't want them too
17. Nap time is a small piece of heaven
18. My Toddler knows how to use the iPad better than me (and sometimes has to help me).
19. I hurt when they hurt
20. Only buy noisy toys with off switches
21. Motherhood requires patiences, patiences and more patiences
22. It's important to take time for myself
23. Finger prints on the fridge don't bother me anymore
24. My best accomplishments are the births of my sweet babies
25. Mom's don't get sick days.
26. Some of the most exciting events include learning the ABC's and counting to ten
27. My house only stays clean while the children (and husband) are sleeping
28. My kids want my time, not a million toys to collect dust
29. Having your toddler "help" takes three times as long but teaches them to work
30. I'm not above bribery
31. Sometimes I have to be brave for my kids when really I'm super scared
32. They grow up way too fast
33. You have to pick and choose your battles
34. It's okay to feed your kids breakfast for all 3 meals of the day
35. The sharpest, pokiest toys always end up on the stairs
36. My favourite word in the world is "mommy"
37. I laugh every day
38. Being organized is the key to successful outings, and even then, it's still a gamble
39. I miss being around my kids the instant I put them to sleep
40. Only buy washable crayons, because you will inevitably be washing it off the walls
41. Kids are more clever than you think
42. Baby-proofing your house is an ongoing endeavour
43. There's nothing I wouldn't do for my kids
44. The best way to get playdough out of the carpet is time and a vacuum
45. Mommy hugs & kisses fix everything
46. 9-1-1 seems to be an easy number for a toddler to dial
47. No matter how hard I try to keep track of the sippy cup of the day, finding one full of soured chunky milk seems to be a weekly occurrence
48. My kids help me see the magic, wonder and beauty in the world every day
49. Little smiles and giggles make my heart melt
50. Apparently cows go moo, puppies go ruff-ruff and mommy goes "ROAR"
51. Forgiveness is unconditional and permanent
52. Sometimes you need a bandaid even when you're not bleeding
53. Leaving a lidless 10 kg container full of flour on the floor for "just a minute" is an instant recipe for disaster
54. Singing the snowman song, in july, in the middle of ikea, is perfectly acceptable
55. It's okay to cry
56. Socks and shoes are optional, clothes are not.
57. Prayers are always heard and answered. Even if its just a prayer said by a little girl to find "sammy" in the dark.
58. It can be hard to let go
59. What might work this time, probably won't work the next time
60. Never skip bath-time or brushing your teeth
61. Your kids will always behave better for others
62. You say "when I'm a parent I'll never..." AND then you become a parent and do
63. Stickers are the bee's knees
64. Picking your nose is innate
65. It's okay to color outside of the lines
66. A picture only really captures a fraction of how cute your kids are
67. I didn't really know what unconditional love was till I became a mommy

Abi and Oliver you are a true joy. I love you to pieces!