Motherhood in the Third Degree

Are there degrees of motherhood? When I first became pregnant I believed that was motherhood. And then Finley was born and that was truly motherhood. Then Evelyn was born and that was truly motherhood. Now, tonight, this morning, whatever time it is, I am sewing the seam closed on a stuffed teddy bear for Finley because there will be a Teddy Bear Masquerade party tomorrow at his pre-school. I suddenly gain a deeper understanding of what it means to love a child as I stitch together this toy, in the middle of the night. I may try duct tape next time. But then maybe, that's what it means to be a father....