Resevoir Mommy

I am convinced that God designed mommies with a special super reservoir that automatically refills their energy and keeps them going longer than humanly possible. Just when a mom thinks she can't function after one more night of getting only two hours of sleep at a stretch, she manages through until the magical night that sweet little bundle reaches the four or five hour long sleep milestone. When a mom is faced with stressful situations all around her and when it seems like she's going to buckle under all the madness, she perserveres and keeps on going. I've noticed this super heroine power from the first night we brought Mae home from the hospital. Despite my medication-induced confusion and sleep deprived state, I couldn't help but marvel at and give the utmost care to my newborn baby girl.
I was drawing out of this maternal reservoir last night. Mae has never been as sick in her life as she's been over the past couple of days...coughing, unable to breathe, ear infection, stomach bug and to top it all off she's hyped up on steroids and albuterol treatments for her tightened lungs. She literally could not sit still between the hours of 1am and 4am, and she was leaving her stomach bug mark all over the family room. Jon is good enough to help out in situations like we found ourselves in last night. He checks on the babies, cleans up their messes, gets them their medicines, changes their diapers, etc... But no matter how good of a relationship Jon and Mae have, in certain circumstances she just wants Mommy. Last night was one of those circumstances. While dealing with her sickness, her constant whining for juice, and her restless exhuastion I remember feeling as if I might just not make it through the night. I had not gotten more than four or five hours of sleep the night before, had a busy day and had just laid my head on the pillow when I heard her first cry for Mommy. Then by 5am when she finally drifted off to sleep, Nate decided to continue with his growth spurt and demand an extra feeding. I'm still standing, and actually had a good day today.
I remember growing up no one can do things quite like Mommy. Even to this day no one can do certain things quite like Mom. Even saltines and sprite served from mommy's hands have a special healing factor. Mom can make condensed chicken soup from a can taste like no other person can make it taste. Mommy knows just when to call the doctor, can predict the exact degree of the fever with just a kiss on the forehead and make the fear of a dark bedroom disapear by walking through the door. My children are still very young so I'm still unsure if I can make them feel as cozy and safe as my mom made me feel. As Mae is getting older, however, it's becoming more apparent that I might just be a part of this special mommy club after all. I may very well have that reserve inside of me that is set aside only to care for my children no matter what. When I was in the first trimester of pregnancy with Mae, I wondered how anyone would ever be able to manage being pregnant with a second child while caring for the first. Little did I know I would concieve again during Mae's eleventh month and put myself in that very situation. Something unexplainable happens when you give birth and are charged with another human life. God is truly the source of my strength. When I am dry he fills my cup, He is my All-in-All.