It's Been Six Years. . .

Today marks the day when I first became a mother, six years ago.

It's hard to believe that a short six years have passed since my water broke.

Six years since I asked hubby to cook me some grits before I let him take me to the hospital.

Six years since I gave birth to the cutest baby ever. (Until the second cutest baby was born 4 years later.)

Six years since I cried tears of happiness and exhaustion as the nurses laid her on my chest.

The first night in the hospital, hubby and I looked at each other helplessly as Sophia wailed inconsolably. Having never nursed before, I tried desperately to help her latch on. I had no idea what I was doing. We knew that our lives would change when we became parents, but we weren't prepared for how unprepared we would feel. Dude, parenting is hard.

Everyday for the past six years, I look at Sophia in awe. I still can't believe that she's our child. She's so smart, sassy, and is 6 going on 15. I know I'm biased, but she's freaking awesome.

If you were to ask my college student self where I would be in my early thirties, this was not the life I had imagined. According to my life plan, I wouldn't even be married until my thirties. I never planned to fall in love at 18 years old. Never planned on marrying a black man. Never planned on raising two beautiful biracial children. Never planned on becoming a stay at home or a work at home mom. Nevertheless, I'm in a good place.

Being a mother has taught me so much.

I've learned that routines and schedules are important, but they should be flexible.

I've learned to appreciate pink.

I've learned that sleep is overrated. (Thank goodness for coffee.)

I've learned that playing with your kids is more important than a clean kitchen or nicely folded laundry.

I've learned that it's okay to be a princess AND a scientist.

I've learned how important it is to remember who I am outside of being a mother.

I've learned that my children's laughter is the most beautiful sound in the world.

Happy Birthday to my darling Sophia.

You've made me a better person than I could have ever imagined.

This book was inspired by Expecting Adam by Martha Beck. I received a copy of the book as a member of From Left to Write.

Being pregnant while in graduate school is no piece of cake and even more stressful to learn your unborn child had Down syndrome. In her memoir Expecting Adam, Martha Beck battled almost everyone over her decision to continue her pregnancy. Join From Left to Write on November 10 as we discuss Expecting Adam. We'll also be chatting live with Martha Beck at 1PM Eastern on November 10 on From Left to Write.