It seems fitting that I should wrap this up today…on the 10th day…
And this really is my favorite one…
DAY TEN
Top 10 Favorites of Being a Mama:
1) Pregancy~ While this is the best and worst part, by far, pregnancy certainly prepares you for the rollercoaster that is motherhood. All the ailments, the growing, the overwhelming emotional highs and lows, the expectation, the preparation. I loved imagining what my baby would look like and what they would become. I loved every movement, even the kicks and really missed those times when I finally had my babies. However, it was MUCH better! The relief and joy when they finally come is IMMENSE.
2) Nursing~ Yes, I loved it. I had a really hard time nursing Greyley and had to get help, which sends any form of modesty right out the window…but it was all worth it. With Indigo, he got it right away and did so well, but then got sick and was in the hospital so long that we had to learn how to do it all over again when he got out. It’s such a bonding experience, it’s handy, it’s cheap and it’s something that only you can do for your child. I love that.
3) Getting to Know Them~ When they first come out, it’s such a shock and so overwhelmingly wonderful to see that amazing little person you’ve been carrying for all those months. I love memorizing every little crevice and getting to know their temperament. Learning what works and what doesn’t…how they like to be held, what stops their crying, what each cry means…it’s all part of a wonderful knowledge that is forming in you. That knowledge is how you’ll know things about your child that they won’t tell you when they get older, but that you need to know to help them all along the way.
4) Bonding~ Fortunately, this happened in pregnancy for me. I felt like I knew them both before they even came out. I recognized their movements even, from carrying them for 9 months. But there’s a gradual bonding also and it happens over and over through the years. We go through highs and lows. It’s never that we aren’t bonded, but there are times we are in sync and times things are a little off. The powerful love that we have carries us through the times that aren’t as magical…and that makes the magical moments when they tell you how much they love you or hold your face in their hands and gaze lovingly into your eyes, all the more special.
5) Hearing Them Talk~ From the first words that come out of their mouths, to the cute baby talk, to the hilarious things they come up with, to the incredibly smart conversations that take place…I love hearing what my kids have to say. They amaze me with what they think, how intelligent those minds are and how they’re formulating their views of the world from such a young start.
6) Laughing~ I love it that my children think I’m funny. And I think they’re so funny. We can entertain each other for very long periods of time~ try 13 1/2 hours to Arkansas in the car…one way… 🙂 The sound of their belly laughs makes my stomach drop, in a good way…there is nothing like it.
7) Loving Each Other~ I get such special satisfaction and joy out of seeing my children love each other. Hearing them laugh and play together is such a wonderful thing. It truly gives me supreme joy. This is another thing that has highs and lows, of course. Haha. I suppose those lows of arguing and fussing just make the good times all the sweeter, right?
8) Reading Together~ Reading is my favorite thing in life, so I am thrilled that my children love to read. We began reading to them right away and they have both loved it from the very beginning. Once Greyley started reading, she never stopped. Now she meets me in my bed every night and we read together. I LOVE IT! And Indigo is on his way…he loves being read to each night and I’m hoping when his reading takes off, he’ll love it so much more.
9) Watching Them Get to Know God~ This could be a post in itself…about the experience of witnessing your child getting to know God. Hearing how they just “get it”…that God loves us so much. Watching them pray~ when I am sick, I ask Indigo to pray for me. He has lived through such a miracle and even though he was such a little baby when he nearly died, he has a way of praying that is so powerful. He knows what God did for him. It’s a beautiful thing. I think children really do get it the best. Their innocence allows that complete acceptance of the Lord.
10) How They Love Me~ I am constantly humbled that my children love me so much. They really are the ones who know me best, my flaws, my shortcomings…all the bad. But they seem to only see the good. They love me every single day. I’m sure they prefer the days that I am perky and jolly, but they don’t treat me any differently when I’m having a rough day. They still hug and kiss and tell me they love me and want to sit as close as they can get and well, I don’t even deserve such love…but I sure am grateful for it.