I always knew I wanted to be a mom and I truly loved being pregnant. No, really, and don’t hate me but pregnancy became me and it was easy. For me, all the hard work began after I went into labor and harder yet- raising two daughters.

Our first was born May, 2007. We named her Diya which means “light” in our language and a whole new life began. I was determined to have a natural birth because I do not like needles and I hate the thought of not feeling in control. Honestly, I couldn’t believe I was able to pull it off TWICE because I hate pain.

My first labor was tough–after approximately 30 hours of horrible, painful labor and no sleep, I had to have a few stitches so my tiny 5-pound angel could come out. The first thing she did as she cried was look at me with contempt- “So that’s the lady that has been screaming for over a day-geez! Just wait until I’m a teen, I’ll get you back.” My second labor & delivery was much easier, I had a doula, and knew what to expect.

Hubby and I had decided both times we would not find out the gender until B-day and we stuck to it. I had vivid dreams though with the first–what she would look like, feel like, down to the size of her fingers and toes. When I first saw her, I could not believe how much like the dreams she looked. It was simply the most amazing moment in my life–first seeing her, holding her, the first time she latched on and nursed.

In addition to natural birth, another goal was to nurse as long as possible and I am so proud that I was able to work, travel, and still do all that. Diya had a hard time latching on initially. She was born tiny and when we took her home she was only 4 lbs 11oz! When she finally latched on, after we gave her a bottle to help her develop sucking reflex, she nursed for 11.5 months! And Nisha, her sister, latched on right away and nursed for over 13 months!

Every day is a blessing – okay, there are tough times. It’s a gift from God, but I’d be lying if I said parenting was always rosy. Day-to-day life, tantrums here and there, butterfly kisses, tears and screams, sick, sleepless nights, cuddling and holding each other while reading, her twisting my hair, and her foot kicking me in the middle of the night even now when she sneaks into bed with us. The times she falls and I worry, the times she has a nosebleed and I think it’s something more, and since February 2009, when Diya’s baby sister Nisha arrived, balancing it all- parenting, marriage, and work. But I have to say this journey has been something amazing and wonderful and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds.

Ratna is a working mom who blogs at Get Clued In about everyday issues, reviews on places and kid-friendly events. In her spare time, Ratna loves getting out with her fellow blogging moms in the state she loves- COLORADO!