From Me, To You

The other night, as Josh and I walked down the hall with our sweet, two-year-old on my hip, I felt like I was 60 minutes past my bedtime. It had been a long day and I was ready for the house to wind down. 

My head had a dull ache, and I was sure there just had to be a small elephant sitting on my back.

Then, a few steps into our journey to Sahara's bedroom, she whispered "love you mama."

It was one of those palpable moments as a parent, where you can feel your baby's emotions, perfectly.

That girl was sucking her right thumb, while her left hand was twirling my hair as we walked.

She could tell I was nearing the end of my rope, let's be honest, she is good at that.

But in that palpable moment, I felt a little tiny weight lift off my shoulders.

I was doing something right.

I had taught that little girl what it means to have empathy.

The rubber hit the road.

I am so thankful for all that she teaches me, day-in and day-out. There is nothing like living and seeing the way your child does, I wouldn't trade that for anything.

So, next time you are rushing down the hall with a baby, two blankies (no more, no less), a sippy cup, a dripping toothbrush, and a headache fit for a king, remember that your rubber is hitting the road. Don't doubt that you are making a difference, you are teaching, loving, doing, just where you are needed most. 

How thankful I am for this sweet reminder from a sweet girl.

Becoming "Mom."

Good grief, a two-year-old? How?

Time really has flown by and left us sitting in a heap wondering what just happened.

October 26th, our sweetie turned two! 

Words cannot express the love we feel for her, she is a pure joy to parent and raise. We have our moments of pushing boundaries, refusing peas, or momentary lapses in emotional control (Sahara...), but when we make up, she wraps her arms around my neck and she whispers "sorry mommy," that is what makes it all worthwhile. This age, hands down, is my very favorite. Sahara is a sweetheart and I am so proud of the little person she is becoming.

I am so thankful for this girl, she has changed me, made me better, molded me into the mother she needs me to be. I remember before she was born, I wondered if I would physically bounce back after she was born, little did I know, that isn't what I needed to worry about.

She has changed the very person I am. 

In the moments of stress and change, I didn't understand what she was molding me into.

I fought it. Hard. 

But now, I wouldn't change it for anything.

Hindsight really is 20/20.

She has made me the mom that I never expected to become.

One that checks her baby's breathing at least twice before bed.

One that cuts her food into eye-rolling small pieces.

One that lets her trip over herself at the playground.

A mother that allows her to teach herself when it is possible.

A mother that holds her hand.

One that hugs her baby enough for 7 children.

One that works when it isn't easy, to teach her daughter that this is important.

A mother that I wouldn't recognize if I didn't see her in the mirror every day.

Most days, it is so easy for me to overlook all this spunky 2-year-old has given me.

But, I am so thankful for her. More than words could ever begin to explain. 

So, Miss Sahara, happy birthday once again. 

I am so incredibly blessed to be your mother.