I am Woman...Hear me Roar!

So, I finally have a minute to myself to reflect upon the past couple of months. I am amazed at the amount of chaos and change that can occur in such a short period of time. This is the first time in almost five months that I can actually breathe. I feel like I am past survival mode and able to live freely again. I read all the books and stalked all the message boards on babycenter.com, but nothing prepared me for motherhood. With all my previous jobs I got a clear cut outline of the expectations and requirements to perform my job well. I feel like it has taken me 5 months just to handle some of the minor life tasks that came so easily before Nathaniel. I used to be able to just pick up and go do what ever I felt. After weeks of running late and having supermarket meltdowns, I feel completely confident leaving the house with just a diaper bag and my son in his infant carrier. It takes me less and less time to prepare for my departures from home. I have learned to time my errands during my son's precious nap times. I have gotten completely comfortable nursing my son in public. On another excited note, I can finally wear non-maternity clothes and my wedding rings are fitting nicely again.

But instead of feeling like my normal self, I feel different. I feel empowered. I got to experience a firsthand miracle. I was able to successfully conceive, carry, and deliver a healthy baby boy. I was able (and still able to) provide Nathaniel's sole source of nourishment and development. I feel like I have reached my full womanhood potential. I can honestly say that I experienced one of the most intense pains in my life and survived. Even though I will never receive a medal or win the title of woman of the year, I feel like a hero.

I quit my job in early February and I never felt more excited and content. I know some of the major feminists and equal opportunity people will dislike the following statement. But I honestly feel like I was created to be a stay at home mother. I know for a fact that this is the first time that I have ever felt confident and comfortable in my own skin. And I am proud of it. I am so thankful to have a husband that is able to provide this lifestyle for me family. I feel confident and excited about the woman that God is creating me to be.

So with all that said...I am working on the motivation to lose the baby weight and a little bit more! I am working on feeling like an attractive woman for myself and my husband. I am working on being a great mother to my son. And most important, I am working on developing a deeper relationship with Christ. And seeing the progress I made in the past 5 months, I know I can do it all! The journey continues....