Today my sons are 13 months old. It’s hard to imagine what life was like before children. Well ok, not that hard to imagine going out for a spontaneous trip to the salon to get the toes done or to a restaurant to enjoy a relaxing meal. In hindsight, those were the days of complete freedom but I wouldn’t trade the last 396 days of chaos, fear, laughter, play and 17-daily hours of nonstop activity for all the money in the world. Life is about to get even more chaotic when Apple and Blueberry learn to put one foot in front of the other. Gulp.
As I reflect on the last 13 months, I’d like to share a list of some things I have learned, appreciated or come to love as a mother of twin boys:
- I love that our house is filled with laughter. I have never laughed as much as I have in the last seven months.
- I have learned that when your child vomits on you, it really is ok. You have so much empathy for the suffering fella, the reality of being covered in vomit is a mere afterthought.
- I appreciate more than ever, every quiet minute of every day.
- I love to see the grins on my sons’ faces when they hear footsteps on the staircase in the evenings – they know their Dad is home.
- I have learned with each passing day how to be more vulnerable, more in love, more passionate, and more expressive.
- I have learned crying is indeed contagious. On the flip side, laughter is also contagious!
- I appreciate that my husband takes care of ALL the cooking and does the night-time routine (solo!) twice a week so I have the opportunity to work with clients and maintain my business.
- I love to see how the boys have learned to interact and play together – most of the time it’s playful…
- I have learned how to be accessible to two babies in need – just sitting on the kitchen floor, bedroom floor, etc., is the way we roll. Everyone needs to be able to climb on mama’s shoulder. (Fortunately we do not have fulltime ‘needy’ babies.)
- I appreciate having family nearby and willing to help out with the boys.
- I have learned there is NEVER a dull moment in the household.
- I appreciate running pain-free and going out for a solo long run on Sunday mornings.
- Above all, I love being a mom. I am incredibly appreciative and fortunate that I am a mother to two healthy boys.
What are a few things you have learned, appreciated or come to love as a mother?