I knew I was a mom when ...

There are many defining moments in a mother's life when she just knows she's a mom. For me, it happened many times during my daughter Maggie's first year. Who am I kidding? I knew I was a mom when I felt her dancing around inside of me before she was born. I felt such a closeness to her even then. There are a lot of tender moments that I hold close to my heart, that made me really realize I was a mom. One of my favorites is watching Maggie sleep. At night when I'd go in and check on her, the calmness that takes over my body as I watch her sleep is something that is more comforting than my own sleep. My heart still melts when she is tired and puts her head on my shoulder or points to me and says "Ma ma ma" with a huge grin.

There are also moments that only a mom can relate to. Like when I find myself using anything I can find to wipe her runny nose or when I put my fingers in her mouth to grab excess food she stuffed into it and when I had to change her dirty diaper in the trunk of my car in the mall parking lot. Those moments made me say, "Ah, this is what everyone has told me about!" Overall though, the love and emotions that go along with being a parent are indescribable.

Whether you share the same sweet sentiments or the true realities (albeit sometimes unpleasant realities) of being a mom, you can appreciate all the little moments that make you love your children all that much more. I thought it would be fun to hear from other Long Island moms on this topic, so I reached out to our Facebook and Twitter fans to find out the moments when they knew they were a mom. Here are some of my favorites. You can also read the full article with many more reader comments.

I knew I was a mom when ...

The first time I heard a child yell for "Mom" and I (we) all turned around.
-Carole Christman Beseler, via Facebook

When I first looked in my daughter's eyes and knew I would love and protect her forever!
-Terri Milone-Cantillo, Massapequa

When Matthew was very small still and had terrible reflux there were times when he would cry from being so uncomfortable. Mike tried to calm him but when his attempts failed and I took over, he was like putty in my hands. He nestled into my neck, closed his eyes and conked right out. Talk about a liquefied heart!
-Leslie Kolstein DiChiara, Wantagh

I knew I was a Mom when my son's little eyes looked up at me for the first time and there came the tears of joy and I was filled with love! He still looks at me that same way and my heart just melts.
-Courtney Pressler Parver, Plainview

I knew I was a mom the first time I had to drive my car with my newborn in it and I felt like I was bringing a plane in for an emergency landing.
-Justine Copland, East Northport

I uttered the phrase "Who put the cream cheese in the VCR?"
-Susan Seavers, via Facebook

When I would be at work and all of the sudden find a pacifier or kid toy in my pocket.
-Michelle Breslin Horbert, Mastic Beach

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When I got pooped on the first time!
-Ann Alves Walker, via Facebook

I realized that I could, in fact, sleep sitting up!
-Sharon Marcus, via Facebook

You know when Sesame Street is a repeat and get annoyed when new ones aren't on.
-Stacey Felsen Feintuch, via Facebook

When Andrew would stop crying the minute I held him. The more realistic one was when I stirred a pot of sauce making dinner, made his doctor's appointment with the phone under my chin, held him on my hip and shutting the fridge with my other hip all at the same time! Then laughed hysterically!
-Lynnette Martella Shaw, Levittown

When I was driving in the car singing the "Wonder Pets" theme song -- when Emmy was not even in the car with me. I mean any song I pretty much belt out now is from one of her shows! That's when you know times really changed!
-Julie Keitelman Millman, Oceanside

When I was pregnant with my second child and (instead of having an anxiety attack with the mess of toys from my son) I swept all the toys into the corner using a broom. My mom taught me that trick. Oh and when I was on my second cup of coffee at 8:30 a.m.
-Carrie Sollin, Lynbrook

I knew I was a mom when instead of running from vomit, I made all attempts to catch it in my hands! -Jessica Grant, Plainview

Read the full article here.

What is your favorite mom moment? Share with me below and follow me on Twitter @JenBergerKids