5 Random Posts #3

Motherhood.

So I was reading my friend Nicole's blog, and she put it more perfectly than I could have ever imagined. It was something like- I enjoy being a mother to my children, but motherhood- that's a different story. It's Hard Work!
I definitely thought that motherhood would be easier than it has turned out to be. I think that there are parts that are better, and some parts that are enjoyable, but there are many many parts that are just plain difficult for me. I kind of wonder if Mary assigned me this topic because she is about to have her first baby in a few months. However, she asked someone who has 2 little boys going through difficult times. Graham wishes he could talk, but can't, and that is frustrating for everyone, but especially he and I. Nate, well, Nate is just Nate. Right now, my life is trying to get kids to eat healthy foods, cleaning up accidents, and leaky diapers, trying to teach them to be nice to each other and the cat, trying to teach the gospel, trying to teach them not to scream on the top of their lungs every other minute, trying to keep every part of them clean, and well groomed, trying to keep toenails short enough to fit inside their shoes, trying to not feel too guilty about all of my shortcomings, and above all, trying to stay patient.
So that is sometimes how I feel about motherhood. Sometimes I succeed at those things, and sometimes, well, not so much.
But being their mother- well, that is a different story. Nate was not an affectionate toddler. He did not give hugs to anyone, much to his Grammy's chagrin. But now, any time of the day, I'll ask him for a hug, and he'll stop what he is doing, and will give me the best hug. He loves to read books, and we have so much fun just reading together. He loves to be with me, and when he doesn't know where I am, he gets so sad if he can't find me right away. He is starting to be old enough to really tell me how he feels and what he thinks. He is starting to let in more new experiences, something that is very welcome. He just wants to talk all day long, and he wants me to listen to him. He loves to know about everything going on around him.
And then there is Graham. Graham has been a cuddle bug since the beginning. With Nate, I think that he and I bonded right away when he was born. With Graham I didn't feel it until we got home from the hospital. It took longer, but I think it was stronger. There is nothing in this world that I love more than holding him on my lap. Rocking him before bed. I still will get up with him in the night when he does wake up, just because I love to hold him so much. He is the perfect size lap child right now, and he loves my lap. Any time I am sitting he wants to sit with me. He loves to sit and read as well. I often times have two little boys sitting on my lap reading stories. And wow is he sweet. He has started giving hugs now. He will put his arms around your shoulders, and pat your back. It's so sweet.
So I think that is it. Motherhood, well, that is hard, and has many unpleasant parts to it, but being a Mother to my children, I would not trade that for anything.