All of the things....now I get to do them
I was sitting yesterday, thinking about all of the things that I can now do (or have done) now that I'm a mom. Some of them are significant, some silly...but all of them are things I never dreamed of getting to do one day. I am so glad that I can. :)
-- I can use the little front seat in the shopping cart for housing a cute little tush instead of just my shopping list and pocketbook....the occupant also makes for very fun, silly antics and play while going from aisle to aisle (built-in entertainment).
-- I can go somewhere, anywhere, and not feel like I'm having to go "alone" if Ken or a friend can't accompany me. Though he can't speak yet, I fully articulate my feelings, observations, and thoughts-out-loud to Gardner as we drive to and fro, darting in and out of stores and such.
-- I can add fish sticks and animal crackers to my repertoire of acceptable cupboard choices....without making people wonder.
-- I can recall and re-sing to him all of the wonderful, sweet, silly, and downright nonsensical songs and rhymes that Mom sung to me as a child. Some of them miraculously reappear in my memory, and I don't know how in the world they've resurfaced....but in no time I'm singing them word for word once again, never skipping a beat. Boy, I missed them.
-- I can not feel guilty about a long, hot bath and a piece of chocolate after a long day. Being a mom brings a whole new meaning to "learning to unwind."
-- I can do the rearview mirror triple-check as I drive down the road, making sure all eyes, hands, and sippy cups are accounted for. (This is done safely, of course....stopping if absolutely necessary. I am NOT one of those moms who sits in the front seat but has two hands in the backseat, assembling a red wagon or changing a diaper while operating a vehicle!)
-- I can be one of those moms who rushes madly, smile on my face, to the nursery after church. I never got it till now. Yes, I really, really miss him after just an hour of separation! That moment of reunion is priceless, too.
-- I can sit and watch Blues Clues and Baby Einstein in the middle of the day, not feeling the slightest bit of pressure to "do something more productive." Gardner in my lap, his fingers curled around mine, hearing his occasional laugh rising up to my ears, is all I need to feel productive.
-- I can not feel guilty about buying package after package of MiniDV video tapes at $15.00 a pop. Memories are priceless, and I intend to capture them (even if it means cutting costs elsewhere).
-- I can smile when I look in the mirror at the end of the day and see the dried-up snot or spit on my shoulder. As someone once told me, that means "I loved on Gardner enough that day."
-- I can feel the intense joy and satisfaction of seeing him play with and interact with other children. It brings me such happiness to see his eyes light up, waving frantically while saying, "HI! Hi!", and laughing at the opportunity to get down and "chase" someone on his newfound toddling feet.
-- I can proudly display photo after photo of his cute little form all over my house. Home decor trends and rules need not apply here....I will never take these down due to vanity.
-- I can lay down on my pillow at night and close my eyes, completely calm and happy, knowing that the two most precious guys in my life are under the same roof, nearby and content, snuggly and warm. There is no greater satisfaction than that of a family that God blesses you with. I am just so honored that He allowed me to experience it myself.
-- I can use the little front seat in the shopping cart for housing a cute little tush instead of just my shopping list and pocketbook....the occupant also makes for very fun, silly antics and play while going from aisle to aisle (built-in entertainment).
-- I can go somewhere, anywhere, and not feel like I'm having to go "alone" if Ken or a friend can't accompany me. Though he can't speak yet, I fully articulate my feelings, observations, and thoughts-out-loud to Gardner as we drive to and fro, darting in and out of stores and such.
-- I can add fish sticks and animal crackers to my repertoire of acceptable cupboard choices....without making people wonder.
-- I can recall and re-sing to him all of the wonderful, sweet, silly, and downright nonsensical songs and rhymes that Mom sung to me as a child. Some of them miraculously reappear in my memory, and I don't know how in the world they've resurfaced....but in no time I'm singing them word for word once again, never skipping a beat. Boy, I missed them.
-- I can not feel guilty about a long, hot bath and a piece of chocolate after a long day. Being a mom brings a whole new meaning to "learning to unwind."
-- I can do the rearview mirror triple-check as I drive down the road, making sure all eyes, hands, and sippy cups are accounted for. (This is done safely, of course....stopping if absolutely necessary. I am NOT one of those moms who sits in the front seat but has two hands in the backseat, assembling a red wagon or changing a diaper while operating a vehicle!)
-- I can be one of those moms who rushes madly, smile on my face, to the nursery after church. I never got it till now. Yes, I really, really miss him after just an hour of separation! That moment of reunion is priceless, too.
-- I can sit and watch Blues Clues and Baby Einstein in the middle of the day, not feeling the slightest bit of pressure to "do something more productive." Gardner in my lap, his fingers curled around mine, hearing his occasional laugh rising up to my ears, is all I need to feel productive.
-- I can not feel guilty about buying package after package of MiniDV video tapes at $15.00 a pop. Memories are priceless, and I intend to capture them (even if it means cutting costs elsewhere).
-- I can smile when I look in the mirror at the end of the day and see the dried-up snot or spit on my shoulder. As someone once told me, that means "I loved on Gardner enough that day."
-- I can feel the intense joy and satisfaction of seeing him play with and interact with other children. It brings me such happiness to see his eyes light up, waving frantically while saying, "HI! Hi!", and laughing at the opportunity to get down and "chase" someone on his newfound toddling feet.
-- I can proudly display photo after photo of his cute little form all over my house. Home decor trends and rules need not apply here....I will never take these down due to vanity.
-- I can lay down on my pillow at night and close my eyes, completely calm and happy, knowing that the two most precious guys in my life are under the same roof, nearby and content, snuggly and warm. There is no greater satisfaction than that of a family that God blesses you with. I am just so honored that He allowed me to experience it myself.
Comments