The Joy of Motherhood 
By Kim Reynolds, Triplet Mom
Originally printed in May 2004

How many of us remember the age old question, "What do you want to be when 
you grow up?"  I remember answering, "a flight attendant or secretary,"
because everyone expected me to be something.  Although, from an early age, I knew
I wanted to be a Mother, having at least three children.  My real goal in life was
to be the best Mother possible, and raise children that would make a positive difference
in the world.  I had a wonderful childhood, growing up in a functional family.  
My parents will have been married for 45 years on May 3rd this year!  

My Mother has always been the perfect role model for me.  A Mother who has been 
there for her five children through good times, and trying times.  She was there
for us through each illness, and to cheer us on in competitions.  She gave us enough
freedom to find ourselves and become independent, yet set the boundaries to where
we still felt safe in the world.  She is loving and kind, but we always knew when
she meant business.  She has, what we all call, "the Arlys (her name) look".
When you see it, you stop in your tracks!  I'm working on perfecting it myself! 
I missed being born on Mother's Day by just 5 1/2 hours.  So, I just extend Mother's
Day through to my birthday and not only give her thanks for being my Mother, but
also celebrate the day she gave birth to me.  Only a Mother would endure the pain
of childbirth in celebration of her new child.

My journey into motherhood didn't come as easily as I had dreamed.  I enjoyed married
life for 10 years before we started fertility treatments.  I always yearned for 
a child and felt deep down that one day, I would be a Mother.  During those 10 years
of infertility, I became the "perfect parent."  I had plenty of friends
with children to practice on.  I laugh at myself now when I remember saying I would
never let my baby cry, or that I would never let my child out of the house dirty
or with a crusty nose.  It was after the birth of my daughter, Jessica, that I realized
that, to be "the perfect parent," you have to use your creativity to solve
all kinds of problems and handle all kinds of situations.  I can't count the number
of times that I wiped a runny nose on the inside of a shirt.  Ewwww, gross!  But,
isn't it funny how your child's snot isn't as gross as the snot of someone else's
child?

I was very lucky to get pregnant on my first IVF cycle.  I had always hoped I would
have twins, but this pregnancy was a single baby.  I was just so thrilled to be 
pregnant.  I felt as if I was the first and only women to ever be pregnant, and 
that no one could possibly understand the amount of joy I was experiencing.  I would
constantly rub my belly so everyone would be aware I was growing a child inside 
me.  I was determined to bring this baby into the world in the most peaceful setting
possible.  Throughout my pregnancy, I was followed by a midwife and everything went
according to the book.  On February 22, 1994, Jessica was born at home, underwater,
surrounded by friends and family.  It was the most wonderful experience I could 
have ever dreamed of.  I was so thrilled to finally be a Mother that it took a few
minutes after she was born before someone asked if the baby was a boy or girl.  
All I knew was that I finally had a baby of my own.  It turns out that Jessica made
history in the Reynolds family.  She is the only girl born on the Reynolds' side
of the family in 110 years!

When Jessica was three, I had the yearning again and I didn't want her to grow up
an only child.  I got very lucky and was pregnant on my first IVF cycle, again. 
And, once again, I prayed for twins.  When I found out I was having triplets, I 
felt as if I had just won the lottery.  I was having those three babies I had dreamed
of when I was young.  I guess I just didn't dream in enough detail and ask that 
they come one at a time!  Now, not only am I a Mother to my own four children, but
I mother any child I come in contact with.  My goal is still the same, just expanded
now.  I want to make a positive impact on the life of every child I touch, in hopes
that that child will turn around and make a positive impact, no matter how small,
on the world.

I have found that being a Mother is one of the hardest jobs that I'll ever do, with
the most rewards and benefits, and one that lasts a lifetime.  I recently asked 
my Mom when does it get easier.  Her reply was, "You're 42, and it's still 
not easy."  Our children don't come with owners' manuals to help guide us through
parenthood.  That's where the "prefect parent" creativity comes in.  If
I had the choice, I wouldn't change a thing!

To my Mom, and to all the Moms out there with babies in your arms or in your hearts,
I want to wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!!!