What you never knew before parenthood

You never knew that you'd fall so deeply in love. You never knew you'd celebrate, discuss and think about poop so much. First when you bring your new baby home, you talk about how frequent, the consistency, whether it is something to worry about or not. When they are potty training, you celebrate every poop in the potty with great fanfare, stickers and candy. You never knew that you would enjoy sticky lipped kisses or paint filled creations that are heavy and damp when you hang them up. You never knew that "wuv you mommy" could make you melt. You never knew sleep deprivation that lasted weeks on end but that you willingly put up with as you walked your colicky baby in the wee hours of the morning. You never knew fear so incredibly horrid when your child was deathly ill. You never knew you could pray sincerly over a child's "sick bear" because he or she asked you too. You never saw the world the same before you had children. Being a parent, makes you a better person because you learn to live life with your eyes open and full of joy.

What is Mommy Brain

My dear friend Jennifer gave me the idea for this blog topic. Things like not being able to find my keys when I need them most. They are never where I think they are and most probably are in the least likely place. Not that it has anything to do with small children putting them places because they are playing house. Oh and how about the phone, it rings and you can't quite locate where the sound is coming from over the din in the house, then your 3 year old is chanting "go mommy, go mommy, go mommy go" as you run around looking. Thanks my darling for the cheers. But at least you can laugh. Then you take all 3 kids out by yourself and you get
the "don't you have your hands full" comment.....LIKE duh what was your first clue, the frazzled look, the baby's lunch on my shirt, or the fact that I have forgotten HOW to carry on a conversation that does not include "are you sure you don't need to go potty"? Mommy brain does not make us dumb or less intelligent, it just means that we are multitasking beyond reason. After all, who else but a mom can change a diaper on a wriggline one year old, talk on the phone, help a 3 year old dress, and supervise a 6 year old who is reading out loud. ONLY a mom, so you see while it appears something has stolen mommy's brain it really is just running at full capacity and the computer is saying "you dont have enough available memory to do that". We just need an upgrade in random access memory. Gaining this upgrade is not probable because it would take 1 whole day of pampering, lots of chocolate, restful uninterrupted sleep and the piece de resistance, the ability to go to the potty alone without having someone ask what ya doing in there or sticking their fingers in the door or coming in on you. Yep, mommy brain is just a sign of higher intelligence on overload. So relax my dear mommy friends, your brain is not gone it is just on overload.

Poetry Thursday

Through their Eyes

Never hurrying, always wondering, competely entranced

the world opens like a budding flower before their eyes.

A little ant scurries and hurries fascinating

Through their eyes.

The weeds that flower just before they spread is a wonder to behold

Through their eyes

A pebble worn smooth by the rain is a gem

Through their eyes

A rainbow holds the magic of promise

Through their eyes

Rain is tears from heaven

Through their eyes.

All people are kind and nice

Through their eyes.

Everyone, no matter race, belief, creed is special

Through their eyes.

Love is simple and sweet

Through their eyes.

Time with you is better than disney land

Through their eyes.

If only we as adults could love, see and act in our world

Through their eyes

Celebrating "Lasts"

I read a novel once by Karen Kingsbury, there is a whole series called the Firstborn series and it follows a family through their lives. Anyway, in the book the mother/grandmother in the series talks about celebratings lasts. There is a poem in one of the books as well on the subject. The idea comes from the fact that we all celebrate our children's first. Their first steps, their first tooth, the first time they sleep through the night. There are so many firsts to celebrate. Yet, we never celebrate lasts. Yet, they are just as precious. The last time your child took a bottle or the last time your child wanted to be tucked in bed with a hug, a kiss and a cuddle. When is the last time your child needed to be sung a lullabye? These things are precious because it shows how fleeting time is. Our children grow up so fast, almost before our eyes. That we forget sometimes to treasure those little moments. Moments in time that can be forever in our hearts. Just this week I realize my baby is rarely crawling anymore, she would rather walk. Yet, she still likes to hold onto my finger as we walk. It is so sweet. My other two no longer have that need to be right by my side when they walk. Sometimes they will still hold my hand when we are in the mall or a store. But most times they do not want to. I remember when each of them held my finger in their tiny little fist as they walked. Their hands too tiny to hold my hand the regular way. They didnt really need to hold that finger but with their toddling new steps it made them feel better. As Jennifer does this my heart swells cause I know this is a real last. The last time I will have a child to do this because she is my baby. I wish I could have a picture of each of them looking up at me as we walk, their tiny hand wrapped around my finger, their expression of complete trust and adoration that Mommy makes everything safe. My older children have long passed this stage. Their independence is growing and my children are maturing, just as they should. And yes, we celebrate they are growing up, but sometimes we need to take a moment and celebrate a last.

I challenge you to blog about a last you can celebrate. What memories do you have of one of your child's lasts? What is precious about it? What makes it special to you? If you could freeze a moment in time with a camera and take a picture what picture would it be? What last would it celebrate?