te quiero hasta la luna

When I knew Itzel existed, I immediately fell in love with her. I started taking care of her that minute. When we first saw each other, I found it hard to believe she was my little girl.

I would look at her and feel like I was baby sitting someone else’s child because it was so incredible. I am the youngest and had never seen myself in this position. Now I was the mommy, the caregiver. I wanted to give her everything and protect her from everything. I had to give up being selfish, but this came naturally and easily once I knew I was pregnant.

There is no bond like the one of a mother and child when a mother breast feeds her child. There is nothing more selfless than giving of yourself in this way, giving her body the nutrients she needs so that she can be strong and healthy.

Being selfless was one of the things that changed in me the most. I was used to coming and going, didn’t need my girlfriend to go with me to the mall or the gym. I was pretty much a loner, getting things done at college, working, and working out.

Even so, the hardest part about raising Itzel is learning to have patience. Itzel showed me her first week of life that she knew exactly what she wanted, that she had a strong personality and that I could throw my parenting plans out the window.