I am often asked by friends without children what the best part of motherhood has been. I spent a majority of Gavin's first few months with us lamenting the colic, the lack of sleep, the perpetual spit-up, but truly, there is nothing I enjoy more than being Gavin's mommy. I am constantly amazed by the power of my love for such a little boy. And so THESE are the best parts of motherhood, the reasons to fight through sleepless nights and sometimes-tearful days:
- Nothing, literally nothing, beats walking into your baby's room in the morning and seeing his big smile. It feels AMAZING to feel that sense of recognition and excitement. Gavin is his happiest when he first wakes up in the morning or from one of his naps, and my favorite moments are spent cuddling with him as he stretches and slowly wakes.
- Smiles are wonderful...belly laughs are better! Gavin started belly laughing -- really just going at it -- when he was around three months old. He laughs at the cats, he laughs in the bath, he laughs when he's tickled, he laughs just because... His laugh brightens my whole world.
- That moment before he falls asleep, when he's just sucking on his binky and grabbing onto my finger, calms me more than anything else can. It reminds me that no matter how big he's getting, he's still my little angel baby. The more independent he gets, the more bittersweet this whole "growing up" thing becomes -- but that moment where I can look down in my arms and see my tiny sweetheart fading into sleep makes me feel as though he'll always need me.
- Seeing things through the eyes of a baby is such a fun change of pace. When we go to the zoo, we think about the things that Gavin might most enjoy (train rides, bubbles, exhibits that allow him to touch and feel various things). When we plan out our weekend, we think of what might be fun for him (a park opening, a road trip to Indy, splashing in his baby pool). We are doing things that we haven't done in years and relish in the look on our son's face as he experiences things for the first time.
- Watching the video monitor as he plays in his crib is particularly gratifying since he used to wake up several times in the middle of the night just wailing his little head off until we'd come and hold him. Now he's learned to cuddle with his lovey, press his musical seahorse on and off, and talk to himself until Mommy or Daddy can come to get him. It usually earns Stephen and I an extra half hour of sleep -- but really, it's pretty fun to stay awake and just watch Gavin make his own excitement.
- The way people react to Gavin has been really heartwarming. He's a pretty happy baby, and a BIG flirt, so it's no surprise that he's a big hit anywhere we go -- but it's also nice to hear from others how well-behaved they think he is, how charming he is with his little dimples, etc... Stephen and I are pretty obsessed with him, so it's neat to hear that it's not just parental bias. :)
- Watching Gavin interact with other babies is one of my favorite things. I totally understand why people have more than one child now. He's just so CURIOUS about other babies. We're not ready to expand our family quite yet (hey, we are JUST NOW starting to get some sleep) -- but I get why people do this more than once.
- The feeling that no one knows my child the way I do is pretty special. I know what his different cries mean. I know what to do when he starts pushing away his bottle. I know how to soothe him to sleep when he's fighting a nap. The best part of motherhood? Knowing that I can make my child happy, keep him healthy, and make him feel 100% safe and loved in a way that no one else can. (Stephen obviously achieves the same goals -- just in his own way.)
The list could go on and on, really. Gavin is an incredible kid, and motherhood is a incredible job. Right now, I'm sitting in bed watching trashy summertime television and praying Fourth of July fireworks don't wake my baby while watching Gavin on the monitor splayed out in his crib, lovey in hand. He's my little angel and I'm blessed to be his mommy and to be able to share him with the world.
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