A Day in the Life of a Mother by Jenny Rackley

Today I heard the strong, steady heartbeat of our unborn child for the first time. The midwife was excited, too, and shared in the joy of our upcoming event.

Today my daughter Julianna, 18 months, was not content to play with toys as she waited for the midwife and me. She emptied out her diaper bag and, one by one, pulled tissues out of their box. When I ended that game, she turned her attention to the brochures that decorated the midwife's wall. Seeking more, she climbed onto a chair to get the more colorful ones up high. I sorted dozens of brochures to put the midwife's office back in order after our visit.

Today I picked up my 4-year-old son, Jordan, from preschool. He told me about the earwig he and his friend Tamara had found.

"It was just a baby earwig," he said.

Today, after returning home, I fed the goldfish that Jordan had so proudly bought me with all the money in his piggy bank. The midwife had said that our new baby, at 10 weeks, is about an inch-and-a-half long -- about the size of my treasured goldfish.

Today Julianna climbed up onto a chair and from there maneuvered to a stool she had placed to get to the pictures on top of our living room bookcase. She grabbed a picture of me and said emphatically, "Ma-ma, ma-ma!"

Today Jordan poured out all the baby shampoo into the bath.

"I was just putting water into this bottle, Mom," he explained, among the bubbles.

Julianna unraveled a couple rolls of toilet paper and when I said, "Julianna!" she smiled sweetly and said, "Ma-ma."

Today Julianna lay next to me, sleeping so peacefully during her afternoon nap. Afterward, she took off all her clothes, not wanting to be encumbered by the diaper and pants and shirt that restricted her movement.

Today I moved all our dining room furniture back into place. The carpet had dried from where we'd cleaned up the spilled cereal, cocoa and noodles (my husband and I have taken to renting a carpet cleaner every three months).

Today Jordan had two helpings of potatoes and one of noodles. Julianna had the same, although she ended up wearing more noodles than she ate.

Today all three of us rested on the couch after the hubbub of the day. We talked and cuddled and read books together. One day soon the new baby will join our family, and be immersed in all the commotion. I long for the day when I can hold our child in my arms. As I cuddle Jordan and Julianna and watch them slowly drift off to sleep, I think how happy I am that our children have come into our lives.

Today and every day, I am thankful that I am a mother.

About the Author: Jenny Rackley is mom to Jordan, Julianna and Jared, and is a freelance writer in Washington.