Dear Danielle;

When things get frustrating, and you worry about your abilities as a mom, please remember the things that make it all worth it:

Snuggling up with a clean-smelling baby with soft skin and complete trust in his eyes. His little snores alternating with binky squeaks in your ear, and the weight of his head on your shoulder as he falls to sleep.

The absolute delight he shows in every new discovery. The little "o" he makes with his mouth, and the sliding "uh-oh" he repeats every morning on the way to day care. The way he wiggles his hands and feet when he gets excited.

The way he breaks your heart a little each time he laughs in happiness when he sees you, buries his head in your shoulder when he's shy, and bumps his head into your calves when you're making dinner.

Remember these sunshine moments, because one day, he'll push you away when you try to hug him, roll his eyes when you tell him you love him, and lament to his friends about how "mean" his mom is. And on those days, pull out those memories to remind yourself it's all just a big show, and deep down he's still that same little boy who once upon a time covered your face with wet kisses, patted your back, and said, "Mamamamama."