I'm not a kid person. Before being a mom I (choose to) spend very little time around the wee ones. I have no interest in baby. Unlike my 2nd cousin Cynthia, who loves and adores baby. She would squeals at the sight of a baby, would ask to hold them, would ask if it's ok to kiss them, and would ooh and ahh and cooo over them. I'm the opposite of all of that. I held maybe 2 or 3 babies (before my own) in my life and it's because the parents insisted I try to hold them (saying that they're helping to train me to be a mom). I don't dislike or like kids, just indifferent to them.
When Bee came into our life, she was the prettiest little thing to me. She's my precious. Then Lovebug came, and my heart grew larger. She's exquisite. I love looking at my girls, cuddling with them, talking to them, and the best part, kissing them. Oh I'm addicted to my kids. Our girls add hours of entertainment into our lives. The things Bee said to me some time make me laugh for days on after. Our kids also make us think, make us give full attention to the little things, make us brave (I touch a spider with my bare hand !!!), and make us feel like superman/woman. Their hugs and their kisses are very addictive. I go back for more each time. Our kids teach us to enjoy the ordinary thing in life, like a rock or the flight of a bird.
However, being the wonderful kids they are, they do come with some quirks !!! Somewhere in my head (before kid), I pictured them sitting quietly sipping milk and gently playing with their toys. How naive. KIDS ARE SO LOUD ! and smelly (ugh, solid in diaper, nuff said), and hyper and loud, and jumpy and indecisive and sneaky and demanding and they test you and push the limits all.the.time. They cry when they're happy and when they're sad and just because. Our home is a chaotic battle field and we, "the judges", must ensure that all is always fair, or else there will be lots and lots of tears.
People often commended me on all the activities I do with my girls ! I get the "you're such a fun mom" comment a lot. Little do they know, doing activities, whether it's craft or art, reading or playing games, out in the garden or at a park, they are done to help me keep my sanity while entertaining the girls ! they help our little energizer bunnies to have a focal point to focus all their energy on ! instead of pulling on my pants, my hair, my arm, hanging on my shoulder, my leg, or jumping on me and see if they will stick !! And not all activities are a hit with the kids. They will alter stories, make up things and expect me to do something about it. What am I ? a puppet ? Aish ! One can't deny their children of their creativities. So it goes, we're always up to something :) for everyone's benefit !
In addition to the family activities, there're always work awaiting for us parents ! toys to clean up, clothes to pick up, laundry to do (there's always so much laundry), dishes to clear/clean, tables to wipe, snacks to prep, milk to pour, hands to wash, nose to clean, bodies to bathe, bums to wipe, etc. and the never ending conversation regarding their development, health concerns, bad habits, what they like/don't like, and on and on it goes.
Some day Mr. C and I feel like we're running a relay race. It's a whirlwind of one activity after another. We each are an activity station for the kids and when one is exhausted, heaving for oxygen, the baton gets handed over to the other. Our ultimate goal is to drain all the energy from the kids but sometime, most time, it's us that go down first ! some day we bribe and beg the kids to go to sleep.
However, being the wonderful kids they are, they do come with some quirks !!! Somewhere in my head (before kid), I pictured them sitting quietly sipping milk and gently playing with their toys. How naive. KIDS ARE SO LOUD ! and smelly (ugh, solid in diaper, nuff said), and hyper and loud, and jumpy and indecisive and sneaky and demanding and they test you and push the limits all.the.time. They cry when they're happy and when they're sad and just because. Our home is a chaotic battle field and we, "the judges", must ensure that all is always fair, or else there will be lots and lots of tears.
People often commended me on all the activities I do with my girls ! I get the "you're such a fun mom" comment a lot. Little do they know, doing activities, whether it's craft or art, reading or playing games, out in the garden or at a park, they are done to help me keep my sanity while entertaining the girls ! they help our little energizer bunnies to have a focal point to focus all their energy on ! instead of pulling on my pants, my hair, my arm, hanging on my shoulder, my leg, or jumping on me and see if they will stick !! And not all activities are a hit with the kids. They will alter stories, make up things and expect me to do something about it. What am I ? a puppet ? Aish ! One can't deny their children of their creativities. So it goes, we're always up to something :) for everyone's benefit !
In addition to the family activities, there're always work awaiting for us parents ! toys to clean up, clothes to pick up, laundry to do (there's always so much laundry), dishes to clear/clean, tables to wipe, snacks to prep, milk to pour, hands to wash, nose to clean, bodies to bathe, bums to wipe, etc. and the never ending conversation regarding their development, health concerns, bad habits, what they like/don't like, and on and on it goes.
I head into being a mom some what prepare for hard physical labor work, and that, I can say now, is the easy part. It's the mental and emotional work that I didn't expect, along with all the hormonal stuff !!! I find I'm always looking for the common factors that work for me, them, us, our family as a whole. The challenges we face change through season ! but they don't end :) we will be mom and dad our whole life. That title isn't for the faint at heart :) I must say though, that I have a better handle on things now than before. I learning and getting to know my kids by listening to them, watching them, talking and playing with them. The more we know our kids the better problem solver we become. I can identify by the sound of Love's cry if it's for comfort, sleepy or for attention. We gained so many skills over these past few years.
Our days are unpredictable and some days are so bad we feel like a failure. If the thought of "what did I get myself into?" flashes across your mind, it's OK ! Just remember it's temporary pain :). Remove yourself from the situation, take a min. out alone and breathe. If you lost it, forgive yourself and carry on. All moms have one of those day and when the screaming and tears stop flowing, a smile, a giggle from the little ones will make all awesome again. We're all going through learning pain together, you and your kids. Not complaining here, just simply sharing the thoughts of a mom. I hope it doesn't turn off those who's planning for kid/s or parent-to-be or new parents !
Some day Mr. C and I feel like we're running a relay race. It's a whirlwind of one activity after another. We each are an activity station for the kids and when one is exhausted, heaving for oxygen, the baton gets handed over to the other. Our ultimate goal is to drain all the energy from the kids but sometime, most time, it's us that go down first ! some day we bribe and beg the kids to go to sleep.
Our days are eventful until the kids are tucked in bed. Then we hold each other and talk about how cute they are and the things they said. We would kiss them til our heart is content. My 4 yr. old doesn't give out enough kisses :( Kids are a lot of work but nothing great and worth while come easy right ? I ingrained that fact in me and it helped me to be more accepting and relax/chill a bit ! C and I know all these are temporary and as each day, week, month, year passed, the kids will grow independently from us and no longer they will fight over who hug us first or kiss us the most.
And when that day come, we will miss them and we will long for days like today ! Loud, messy, and silly ! It's important to look for joy in our everyday. Whenever other parents tell me "enjoy them ! they go by fast", I know exactly what they mean.
