The Magic of Motherhood: Featuring aden + anais Harry Potter™ Limited Edition Collection

There is no doubt about it: Motherhood is hard. For some women, the hardships begin as early as conception. This includes the mere act of trying to get pregnant or possibly the length of time it takes to get pregnant. More than that, some women try for years or worse, experience heartbreaking loss. Then, comes the difficulties of pregnancy. Your newfound body, the constant aches and pains, and the first real introduction to anxiety... is baby okay? Next, comes the challenges of labor and delivery. The pain, the trauma, the recovery, breastfeeding. And subsequently, the newborn stage. Sleepless nights and the loss of independence. Your world is flipped on its head as you scramble to care for this tiny human being. And just when you thought you got the hang of motherhood, your precious baby somehow turns into an opinionated toddler. Where did my baby go? You wonder.

The demands of motherhood are real. On a daily basis, we are faced with challenges, adversity and moments that make us question our livelihood and ourselves. There is no harder job than being a mom, but, in the midst of these hardships, if you were to ask any mother if the juice is worth the squeeze, she would without hesitation answer, yes.

To me, this is the ​magic of motherhood.​ If you look up the word magic in a Merriam-Webster dictionary, you would find this definition: ​

magic (noun): the use of means (such as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces.

Magic, as it is defined, is the perfect embodiment of how mothers are able to surpass the natural forces, or difficulties of motherhood, which are overpowered by the supernatural love they feel for their children. The minute our children are born, much less conceived, it's almost as if a mother is put under a child's charm, or spell, for life. Nothing can break the spell, and the magic continues to grow as the child grows. And in partnership with aden + anais, featuring their Harry Potter™ Limited Edition Collection, I wanted to capture the magic of motherhood told by real mothers, and also share my own favorite moments that depict the magic of motherhood.

The Magic of Motherhood Told by Real Mothers

Curious what my followers, thought, I took to Instagram to see what my mamas thought captured the magic of motherhood. Below are the 50 moments they cherished most...

1. Baby kicks. Feeling your child move inside of you for the first time.
2. The moment baby comes out and they place him on your chest.
3. When your baby looks up at you while breastfeeding.
4. Gummy smiles.
5. Baby's first smile at mama.
6. Child hugging mom, saying. "I love you!"
7. When baby grabs your finger with their little hand.
8. The first time baby recognizes you from across the room and lights up.
9. Seeing an older sibling love on a younger sibling, or new baby.
10. After a long day, getting a hug and/or an "I love you."
11. Seeing a baby or child the first thing in the morning.
12. Kisses.
13. Random moments a child looks in your direction and smiles at your presence.
14. The love you feel after a child is laid down to sleep.
15. Breastfeeding and/or the closeness of feeding baby.
16. Siblings supporting and encouraging each other.
17. Seeing the world through a child's eyes.
18. Watching your child discover new things.
19. Watching your child learn.
20. Looking back on the littler things and realizing they were the big things.
21. Watching a grown child sleep and seeing them as they were as a baby. (this one made me cry!)
22. When they wake you up in the morning and are so excited to see you!
23. When a child reaches up to hold your hand.
24. When a child runs in for a hug.
25. The peace and closeness of middle of the night feedings.
26. Seeing baby for the first time after birth.
27. After time apart, they welcome you with a smile and are so excited to see you.
28. When a child picks you a flower.
29. Eye contact.
30. Falling in love with your baby.
31. Watching a child do what they love.
32. Watching a child be proud of themselves.
33. The connection while nursing.
34. Watching a child accomplish new things and wanting to share them with you.
35. When they are hurt or upset and they run to you because you are home to them.
36. The first time a child says "momma."
37. The first time you lock eyes with your newborn baby.
38. When a baby or child falls asleep in your lap.
39. Exploring a baby or child's face.
40. When a child says, "I love you to the moon," when you leave their room at night.
41. The birth of a child after loss.
42. Bath time. 
43. When a child begins to ask questions and understands the answers.
44. The unexpected hugs and kisses when a mom needs them most.
45. Asking for a kiss and getting a sweet, wet kiss.
46. Walking into a child's room to be greeted with pure excitement.
47. Skin to skin.
48. When a child's eyes light up when they figure something out.
49. When they stare at you in awe like you are the best thing they've ever seen.
50. Smiles and giggles of pure joy.

My Favorite Moments As a Mother

It's hard to put into words what my favorite moments are and have been, but below are some that came to mind right off the bat...

The moment you see two positive lines on a pregnancy test. Buying the pregnancy test and the anticipation!

The feeling of a pregnant belly, and imaging who your little one will be.

Seeing and holding your baby at birth for the first time. Breastfeeding for the first time. The connection.

​Introducing a new baby to siblings. That moment they walk into the hospital room.

Baby's first smile. That gummy grin.

Getting to know a child's personality... from birth and beyond.

Breastfeeding. The first feed in the morning, last feed before bed, and all of the middle of the night feedings are my favorite. Then as he grows, when he locks eyes with you during a feeding. 

Teaching them about the world, and watching their eyes and expression when they learn something new.

Studying a child's face. I love getting lost in their profile. That button nose, those long eyelashes, the precious lips and perfect skin.

Watching a child love on their sibling when they don't know you are watching.

Hearing the words, "Mommy, I love you." Especially when it's unexpected and not prompted.

Eye contact. Really seeing your babies and locking eyes with them. Feels like you can see inside of their soul.

Being greeted by an excited smile and a big hug after time apart. Enough said.

Seeing your kids do something for the very first time. And their uncontrollable excitement.

Affirming your child and seeing their face light up.

Seeing a child first thing in the morning; and their excitement to see you.

Reading books before bed. Scratching backs before bed. And recapping the day before bed.

​Watching a child sleep. When I watch my older boys sleep, I see them as the babies they are and were.

When a child wants you when they are hurt, sad or sick.

Adventuring with your kids.

One-on-one time. Getting to know your child all over again during these moments.

When a child forgives you.

aden + anais Harry Potter™ Limited Edition Collection

Helping me celebrate the magic of motherhood, I have partnered with aden + anais featuring their Harry Potter™ Limited Edition Collection. Nothing says magic like Harry Potter. And this Halloween season, I love having a reminder that motherhood and childhood alike is full of magic. What are your favorite moments?

Click the button below to buy your own aden + anais, featuring their Harry Potter™ Limited Edition Collection.

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