Feeling like a mom

I got to spend some time at Ellie's day care this morning because the teachers in her room hosted a Mother's Day brunch for the moms. It was very sweet! And I got a painted flower pot from Ellie as a gift. I'm pretty sure Ellie painted it all by herself :) I love it and already showed it off to my co-workers.

I've been thinking a lot this week about how much I feel like a mom — which I suppose is good since I've been one now for quite some time!
It really hits me sometimes, though. One such occasion was last week when I was battling a cold. As I fished a Kleenex out of my purse one day I thought, 'Wow... I'm officially there.'
I will forever associate Kleenex with my mom because she is never without one! If I went into her house right now and borrowed a coat, I could almost guarantee I'd find at least one tissue in the pocket. Even most of the sweatshirts probably have a spare tissue hiding out inside the cuff of the sleeve. I guess she's always had bad allergies — and had a lot of kids' noses to wipe! — so Kleenex became her constant companion over the years.
I had another mom moment last night as I shared food with Ellie. We're trying out new finger foods with her, so I cut up a few pieces of banana for her tray and then ate the rest of the banana myself. I know it's not a big deal, but I felt like I'd "arrived" as a mom who eats her kid's leftovers while running around trying to do a dozen other things at the house. I know, how exciting.
I'm sure this will probably change over the years, but I'm still in the honeymoon phase of mommy-hood right now. I don't mind having to wipe Ellie's nose, hands and hair. And even when I'm starving, I don't usually mind having to figure out her meal before getting to eat my own. OK, there are times when I get frustrated — usually when I can't even find a moment to hit the bathroom. But the rewarding and "wow" moments of being a mom FAR outnumber those frustrating moments.
Right now I can honestly say that being a mom — in all of its unglamorous glory — is about the best role I've ever had. And I'd probably say that even if Ellie hadn't given me the flower pot this morning.