An Authentic Mom?!?

I was tagged by my dear friend Rachelle, who is one of "those moms". You know the kind; the ones whose kids actually eat oatmeal and raw vegetables (and don't LIKE fast food), whose house is always just the perfect amount of clean, whose children are never bored, TV watching-drones, but are engaged in an amazingly creative, fun activity perfect for all their ages. Yeah, she's one of those. And I love her for it. And I'm more that a little jealous that I'll never be that mom.

My tag is to list 5 experiences/feelings that make me an authentic mom. Since I've only given birth twice, and that seemed like a cop-out answer anyway, I'll try to come up with something better.

1. I was a much better parent before I had kids. When Blue was born, I was shocked at how little I knew about being a parent, forget how to discipline, mold, teach, or train a productive member of society. I feel terrible every day for ever having thought things like "why can't they control those kids" or "my mother should have know better, she was the parent".

2. I secretly like the first day of mild illnesses - not the crappy, snot and cough-filled sleepless weeks that follow, but that first day when all they want to do is cuddle with mom - especially Blue, who hardly has time for that anymore.

3. I had to sit down the other day and remove my fuzzy socks because Pink (who is not quite two years old), insisted that they were cute and that she wanted to wear them. Ditto for my necklace this morning.

4. My kids fight over who gets to be put to bed by Mom. I'd like to think that it's because they love me better, but everyone (including Red) knows that it's because I'm easy, and will read an extra story even when I say I won't, and will sit by Pink until she falls asleep, even though I promise myself that TODAY is the day she will learn to soothe herself to sleep.

5. I loathe chicken nuggets. And hot dogs. I could happily live the rest of my life without another french fry. But they love them, and will eat them, and everyday I think "they're too skinny", so I give in, and the cycle continues.

Does this make me authentic? Or just neurotic, pathetic, eccentric, chaotic, idiotic, exotic...or any of the other 'ic'ky things that come with being a mom?

I'm supposed to tag 5 other overworked, under-appreciated, snot-covered friends. So I will: Corbie, Lynn J., Ann McD., Bonnie B., and Evonne. What 5 experiences/feelings make you an authentic mom?