When I grow up....

I want to be....

Did you have those assignments in school? You had to write a paper on what you wanted to be when you grew up?

When I grow up, I want to be a Mommy.

The first time I remember doing this assignment is 2nd grade. My teacher gave me a really hard time because she didn't think that being a MOMMY was a real job. She kept telling me to pick something else. She told me what wonderful choices my friends had made- they wanted to be things like "Suave Hair Models" and "Telephone Operators". No, I wanted to be a Mommy.

I've wanted to grow up and be a Mommy for as long as I can remember.

And now that I am a Mommy, I LOVE it. Sure, I have days when I want to run and hide, or pack my bags and head for the hills. (Who doesn't?!) But there are other days when I love it, and I look back at being a little kid and saying to myself "hey self- good choice. Being a mommy is fun".

Its hard work. There's a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that go into being a mom. But at the end of the day when you look at your sweet little angels, its all worth it. (and they're so much sweeter when they're sleeping sometimes!)

Its not just fun. Its rewarding. Its exciting. Its exhilarating. Its intoxicating. Intoxicating? Really?? YES!

My littlest is at a super fun age. He's just turned 6 months and he's started to explore his world- more than just looking around. He's started crawling in circles. He has to touch everything. And look very intently at it. I just cant get enough of him. I love his babiness. Babiness? Fat rolls. Eyes full of wonderment. Coos. Glances filled with love. Expression- all of them. His newness gives me a different outlook on things. Ok I could do without the poopy diapers, but I love his slobbery "kisses" and the way he says "hi" when he sees me. I could sit and drink it all in forever. I hear its called "babymooning", but isn't babymooning what you do when you've just met your newborn? Can someone babymoon this long? I hope so- I want to babymoon forever.

I was watching my friend with her 14 month old little girl at the park the other day and I can't wait for my little guy to hit those milestones. Walking, talking, being way more interactive than he is now...
but when I think about it, it makes me so sad. I love who he is right now, and I wouldn't change it for the world. But at the same time, I can't wait to see what he'll be like as a big boy. Until then, I promise to cherish every second of his sweet babiness.

As for rewarding...
Sometimes my bigger kids do these wonderful things that make me beam. I feel like I'm glowing from the inside out. Like my love for them is just radiating out from under my skin.

I love how I have a different relationship with each of my children. I'm a silly friend with my oldest. I'm a girly friend with his twin sister. I'm a buddy with my 3rd, and my baby and I are inseparable friends.

It sure doesn't pay much in actual cash, but I'll take all the hugs, kisses (some of them are boogery and slobbery) as I can get! And maybe someday if I'm lucky, I'll get to be promoted from Mommy, to Grandma!