Happy Mother's Day

Alex came in this morning and woke me up with a pungent diaper and a huge smile. Keith had gotten up with him and played with him awhile so I could sleep in a bit. Keith then made breakfast, he made pancakes and rice pudding, with strawberries. Yum! :) It has been quite an adventure this past year almost of being a mother. It has been full of joy and laughter, learning, frustration at times, lots of lost sleep, a few broken dishes, and it's been so worth it. As I held Alex tonight, putting him to sleep, he looked up and smiled his contagious smile and I felt so blessed. What a wonderful little boy we have! What a privilege to be his mom and to be able to stay home with him every day. It can be monotonous at times, tiring, but it's a blessing to be his mom-24/7. It's good to know that he prefers me over anyone else--with all the time we spend together, he better! :) It's so fun to see him and Keith play and interact. To see the delight on his face as he accomplishes some great feat. To watch his persistence as he masters a new skill like putting a lid on a bowl, or putting blocks together. Such simple tasks for you and me, but such huge strides in his skill-set. It's fun to see him playing games with us, anticipating what he thinks may come next, initiating a game of peek-a-boo or chase. He still insists on walking everywhere while holding our fingers. We finally got him some shoes, hopefully this will save his feet. He doesn't pick up his foot all the way and his toes drag on the ground, this has been hard on his toenails.

We went to the duck pond at BYU today. He was so ecstatic to see those little ducklings and the ducks swimming around. He wanted so badly to jump in after them. He loves his ducks at home and was upset that I wouldn't let him get to them or get down and crawl along the muddy/poopy bank. It was a fun day, despite fighting him to sleep during church in the coat closet and fighting against his wanting more duck than the poor ducks wanted of him.

Being a mom makes me so much more grateful for my own mom. For all that she has taught me, for all she put up with, for all she still does. Motherhood is an ever-changing role. Right at first you feel like you're only good for some milk and arms to cradle...then you are entertainer, playmate, and teacher...you become confidant, friend, and hero...sometimes you seem the enemy, betrayer, though later this is looked back on with gratitude and understanding...then you become advisor, counselor, and tutor...and then when you become grandma you're a hero again, for having made it through the above mentioned roles and the years of love and struggles they represent. At least my mom has become that for me. The types of advice I seek from her are different than before, and yet she still has the answers I need, right when I need them. It's funny, my attention is being demanded now, as I've demanded the attention of my mom and still do...I still have to stop myself from feeling put out when I call and she's not home to answer my call! :) Thank you mom for all you do and all you are. I love you! I hope I can be as good of a mom as you are to me.