What Is a Mom?

Being a mom is filled with all sorts of duties I never anticipated. I knew I would take care of her in the middle of the night and also discipline her when she got older, but there is so much more to the job description.

I am a mom, which also makes me a...

• Personal stylist. Another person to choose outfits for! Which is mostly fun except when I run out of ideas. And of course, I feel bad whenever I've misplanned and she is too hot or too cold.

• Laundry queen. Formula doesn't seem to stain her clothes, but we recently started with baby food and oh my goodness! You don't want to forget to spray those spots.

• Torticollis expert. When Roo was diagnosed with torticollis, I wasn't impressed with the information I got from her physical therapist so I took to doing my own research.

• Nurse and in-home caretaker. So far I've learned how to take a rectal temperature, melt teething tablets under her tongue, rip off bandaids really fast and syringe acetaminophen into her cheek.

• Booger police and ear wax scavenger. It never ends!

• Supply manager. It seems that I'm continually monitoring, shopping for and ordering infant formula, diapers, wipes, baby food, bowls, bibs, spoons, etc.

• Nutritionist, meal planner and chef. I'm not super great about doing this for myself, so it's been a challenge. What should she eat? What can't she have? What is a balanced diet?

• Teacher and guidance counselor. That is not a toy. Play with this. Oh, that's mommy's. No, thank you. Here you go.

• Nap enforcer. I know you think you want to play (and papa is really fun to play with), but it's time for a nap.

• Infant formula investigator. If I've learned anything, it's that you can't trust anyone else to have your baby's best interest in mind.

• Milestone historian. I've been documenting all her firsts in her baby book.

• Manicurist. Those little fingernails grow so fast!

I didn't go to school for any of those things, so I am learning a ton. Just like chores, there are some that I enjoy more than others.

And the list will grow and change, I'm sure. Some day she will blow her own nose (can you even imagine?!), and instead of a nose wiper I'll be a professional lost-shoe finder (my mom was awesome at teaching me to retrace my steps!), hairstylist and homework helper.

All this makes me even more thankful for my mother, who stayed home with me and my sister and brother when we were young. Love you, mom!