There are so many things about being a mom that have been completely unexpected - the extent of exhaustion; the influence that gas has on their tiny tummies and big moods; the long, long road of teething; sleep training; the ungodly length of time I can stare at a sleeping baby....just to name a few.
But the one that I am feeling more and more is the rich relationship that I have with my sons. (I will talk mostly of Gram because I have had more time with him, but I am beginning to see a similar relationship with my O-bear.) My relationship with Gram is so much richer than I had anticipated. His affections for me and need for Mama's comfort is so beautiful and, honestly, a great reward for all the sleepless nights and long days spent loving and guiding him along.
I can see this richness as he grows and is able to express himself more, as he talks about what he sees around him, as he plays out his experiences. I see this little man who is deeply connected to me. My son wants to share everything with me. He wants me with him when he's hurt and when he's having fun, he wants me to provide when he's hungry or bored, he wants me to laugh with and cry with, he wants me..regardless of his mood or his day or if we've been together all day long, he wants me near him.
Gram loves spending time with others. He's an incredibly social kid and wants to practically burst with excitement when we have people over to the house. (It's funny to have people to the house who have only seen Gram in public, he's like a crazy man at home instead of the reserved, well-behaved kid they normally see.) I digress....Gram loves people, he loves when people play with him. He wants you to come into his room and play trains or trucks or whatever. And he has lots of great people to play with. He loves to play with his Dad and his grandparents. It's so, so precious to see him play with others. But he also loves to play with me. And I, in return, love to play with him. We love to play together and it makes life fun. It's fun to have someone want to be with you, someone who genuinely enjoys your company, a person who you bring so much joy to.
I'm thankful, thankful for Gram and Owen and however many days we get to play together. I'm thankful that even though Dad is super, super fun, they still think I am pretty amazingly fun as well. I'm thankful that even if I'm needing a break from my little men, they rarely seem to need a break from me (a lesson of unconditional love for sure!)
