Another one of my favorite bloggers, Stephanie Klein had twins right around my birthday...a boy and a girl. She had them several weeks early and they are still in the hospital.
Here is an excerpt of what she wrote about her daughter, and her new role in life:
In the following days, I acted like a newlywed, enunciating things. Instead of “Oh, I’ll have to check with my HUSBAND,” or “may I introduce you to my WIFE,” your father and I began to hold onto our new words. I’m her MOTHER. I tell it to you every day, so close to your face, our noses nuzzling. “That’s right,” I tell you, “I’m your MOTHER. And I’m going to show you how to walk in heels, break hearts, and dress like you’ve just shed ten pounds.” Yeah, yeah, and I’ll teach you how to make a phenomenal bouillabaisse, to write from the heart--or at least your name and phone number--and to live fearlessly, my brave, sweet girl. Your father will teach you to play the guitar and how it feels to be loved unconditionally. I’ll teach you to wrap presents, when to use nutmeg, to build a fort, and how to hear the ocean in a seashell. You’ll teach us, every day, how much more there is to see and love in the world. Patience and laughter and what it feels like to love so much it hurts.
And whether you like it or not, despite how embarrassed you’ll grow to be, part of you will be just like me, the way part of me is just like my mother. Because that’s the cycle of mothers and daughters, trying to outgrow their reach on us, their habits and particular ways of speaking, but we inherit facial expressions, intonations and cadences, and wherever you go, you’ll know you’re mine. And I’ll be yours, always. So forgive me for holding on so tight, now that I can, because soon you'll be walking, and learning to talk. Your first word will probably be "no," and at some point you'll scream that you hate me as you lock me out of your room. You'll ask for some space, and I'll invade yours and learn when to give it. And before all of that, I'll have to cry myself, probably outside your bedroom door, as I listen to you cry for me in the middle of the night. But for now, I'll rock you to sleep on my chest and let you wrap your small fingers around my finger or a curl, and I'll sing to you, my daughter.
Confession: Some of the blogs I love the most are the so-called "mommy blogs". There are written mostly by stay at home moms (SAHM's). As I have all these years with my friends and family members, I learn about motherhood through their motherhood (and fatherhood through the guys). I can't even begin to imagine the magnitude of the kind of love they chronicle.
Through their words I get to vicariously experience all of the joy and pain (and annoyance and exhaustion) that come along with having children. Without the pain of childbirth, stretchmarks, puking kids, poopy diapers, and constant worry, thankyouverymuch.
I know from each of you though that it's worth everything just to see that smile (see above pic) or hear that laugh. You know the one. I overheard it in a bookstore recently and once again the tears flowed.
And just like that, it is now Love Friday.
It's Friday night, I am relaxing at home and rejoicing in the fact that I get to sleep in the next few days. And take naps. We'll see if either of those things actually happen, but that's my plan.
Happy Weekend, My Friends!!!
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