I've always loved babies. When I was 12 years old, my mother gave birth to my little brother Ryan, and I loved helping her out with him. Changing him, feeding him, playing with him, getting him to sleep - I loved doing it all. As I got older though, as did he, I seemed to get irritated by him and Mum always used to laugh and say that I wouldn't have the patience to be a mother for a long time to come.

I remember my best friend also telling me once that I "wasn't the maternal type". This hurt my feelings a bit but I shrugged it off, knowing that some day I would have babies of my own, and I WOULD be a good mother.

Last year when I fell pregnant unexpectedly - I not only had a tough decision on my hands about whether or not to keep the baby, but I had a tough decision with so many other things. I would have to give up smoking, drinking and going out (all which I enjoyed thoroughly) not to mention start eating a bit better and exercising. At the young age of 22, as selfish as it sounds, I didn't think that I was ready to give up that lifestyle - after all I was young, right?

After a lot of sleepless nights, wondering what I was going to do, I decided that 6+ years of going out and living it up was more than enough. I'd had a good run. It was time to settle down and grow up. So I decided, much to my partner's happiness, but also to a lot of my friend's shock, to keep the baby.

I went through my pregnancy feeling excited, but very nervous about what was to come. What if I didn't have the patience for a baby? What if my mother and best friend were right - I just wasn't the nurturing type? Would I look at my baby with resentment each day, remembering what I had given up for it?

When our son was born, and I took my first look at him, nothing else mattered in the world. There is absolutely nothing else that I would rather do than be his mother. I have gone out twice since I had him 4 months ago (while he stayed at home with his father) and both times, all I have done is talk about him and show photos to my friends to the point where I missed him so much I went straight home. Even though I am not pregnant anymore and I can have a few drinks I'm just not interested in drinking anymore either.

It's such a special feeling knowing that you have this beautiful creation, something that was made entirely out of love between you and your soul mate, that resembles the both of you, and relies entirely on you to survive. Being a first time mother is better then I ever could have hoped for. I have also surprised my friends and family - my mother only told me last weekend that I have really surprised her by how patient I am and that I really am doing my job as a mother well.

There is nothing like being a mother, and all the drinks, parties and fun in the world could ever make up for the fun and joy I share each day with my gorgeous baby boy.

Learn more about this author, Kristen Fornarino.
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