I see you, mama.

To all the soon to be mamas, who are so nervous but so excited, and so anxious because you have so many questions and want every answer, and you are bombarded with advice and to-dos and dont-dos...I see you.

To all the hoping and praying 'trying to be' mamas out there, going through treatments, meds, and doctors appointments only to not get pregnant and you feel so discouraged and devastated...I see you.

To all the first time mamas, who are so exhausted but so happy, and so emotional but so joyous, and who aren't getting sleep, and you want to look like yourself again but your boobs are leaking and your belly sags...I see you.

To all the mamas who have lost their baby, through miscarriage, sickness, or accidents and you just don't know if you can take one more breath...I see you.

To all the mamas who are trying to keep their sanity, as your toddler screams bloody murder in Target, while you are just trying to grab diapers, tampons and dishwasher tabs...I see you.

To all the mamas who are stay at home moms, trying to find as many activities for your children to do without breaking the bank, and feeling alone when you just want to have some adult conversations...I see you.

To all the mamas who are working moms, who feel as if your to-do list is a mile long, and you are just trying your best to care for yourself, provide for your family, still have meaningful time with your children, still be a wife, and keep the house clean...girl, I see you.

To all the mamas who are breastfeeding, trying to eat as much as you can to keep up your supply, trying to figure out pumping, and losing your crap when you spill all that hard earned breast milk, and baby might be having a hard time gaining weight...I see you.

To all the mamas who are formula feeding, you feel so judged at first when you realize that your boobie milk just isn't cutting it. That baby needs more nutrients than you can provide, and you just cant figure it out or make it work, and you wonder if your baby will be as smart and better off as breast fed babies...I see you.

To all the mamas who are frantically trying to get to point A to point B, and they feel like their wheels are always spinning, somehow they are always dropping everything and your car looks like a land fill...I see you.

To all the mamas who have a dream, but they feel that awkward balance where they want to work towards their goal, but also don't want to take any time away from their family...I see you.

To all the mamas who are standing in the mirror, who barely recognize their bodies no matter how long ago they had their babies, and who you are on the outside does not feel like the person you are in the inside...I see you.

To all the mamas who are divorced, and it absolutely breaks your heart to now have your time with your children cut in half. It feels like a knife has stabbed you in the heart, when you send them away for the weekend, and you're left at home alone wondering what to do without out...I see you.

To all the mamas who are being abused by their spouse in either a physical, mental or emotional way, and you just don't know your way out. You want your way out so bad, but you cant do it because you want to keep the family together, so you 'save face' to not disrupt the lives of your children...I see you.

To all the mamas with a child with special needs, who needs more love, guidance, understanding and attention, and you literally feel your fuse having to grow longer and longer each day...I see you.

To all the mamas who has a spouse that is gone, whether through deployment, a firefighter or police officer shift, or their job has them gone for days at a time or they miss out on special occasions, and you feel alone and you just want a day of rest...again girl, I see you.

To all the mamas who are staying up late at night, picking up the toys that are way under the couch, cleaning up the mess that your child made from playing with the spice rack, putting away every dish, and staring at the clock making a goal to yourself to get in the bed within the hour...I see you.

To the mamas who are watching their children all grown up, venturing off to college, marrying the love of their life and you are wondering if they still think about you, and in those moments you miss that sweet four year old version of them. The one who was so happy to see you at the end of the day and who would squeeze your neck so tight and give you the biggest hugs. And you feel your heart breaking and longing for that again...I see you.

I see you mamas. I see you stressing out, crying in the parking lot, losing your patience, and getting  embarrassed in public. I see you trying to take a breath, wiping off your face and putting on a smile, and just trying to make it through the day.

But...

I see you mamas. I see your eyes light up and the most authentic smile come across your face. I see your hugs, kisses and your silly faces to cheer up your little one. I see your crazy dance moves to their favorite songs, and your airplane sound effects when you are feeding them lunch. I see you laughing and taking pictures with your teenage sons and daughters. I see how proud you are of them, and oh how your face shows that its all worth it. 

You are doing the dang thing. You are rocking motherhood. And you are everything, absolutely everything that your children need you to be.

They see you as their mama.



(Photo Credit: Rachelle Johnson Photography)