Moments

I posted this as my Facebook status last night, but I wanted to write about it here, too. Last night while trying to get Gabe to go to sleep, I was rocking him and singing "Twinkle Twinkle" to him. He'd been rather restless and fussy all day from a cough and runny nose, and I knew he was beyond tired.

Gabe looked up at me while I was singing, and I smiled at him. The next thing I knew, he squeezed his eyes shut, scrunched up his nose, and gave me a big, toothy grin. It was so unexpected that I laughed out loud, at which time he peeped one eye open and giggled.

My heart melted. :)

I tried to carry on singing, but he just kept on doing it and making me laugh. Every time I'd get him settled down, he'd do it again and giggle, and I'd laugh, and we were back at Square One.

He FINALLY stopped the silliness and drifted off to sleep. I wish I had my camera with me to catch that peaceful look children have on their faces when they first nod off, but I didn't. I wanted to remember that sweet little face for when he becomes a teenager, and I have to remind myself why I should tolerate all the B.S. I know teenagers put their ever-loving parents through every day until they grow enough sense to match their rapidly growing bodies.

It's moments like these that make me realize I'm so glad I'm a mother. Yes, they do try my patience just about every chance they get, but then they do something goofy like this, and you can't help but love them that much more. You take a big risk putting your heart out there, in that little body that was once inside you and is now a little person of his own. When he wants you to put him down so he can go toddling off to explore, you feel a mix of emotions. One day, he'll be off to college, his own place, maybe a wife and family of his own, too. At the same time, a part of you doesn't want them to ever leave.

Until they do something that snaps you back into reality, and you try to assess the damage and figure out what it's going to cost you this time. "How long did you say until you turn 18 again?"

*grin*

It's all part of parenthood, people. It's the emotional roller coaster you sign up for when that kid enters the world in all their naked, wrinkled, screaming glory. It's messy, it's tiring, and it's downright bloody challenging at times.

And like many of us, we just can't get enough of it.