Enjoying the Moments

I have been reading a lot of great articles regarding parenthood, some of which have hit close to home. Since I have little time to organize and write down my thoughts, I am posting all these articles here so that I can have something to look back and remember someday.

This is timely since I have been fixing Rafa's childhood photos for his avp. Looking back, we have definitely come a long way. The saying, "The days are long, but the years are short." definitely rings true. With Rafa already at 4 years old,  this article is a reminder for me to just relish each moment with him, both the good and not so good included. It has been a delight to see him grow. Both my husband and I enjoy the stage where he is now. He is smart, super talkative and inquinsitive. We can slowly see his personality forming, along with his little quirks that make him unique on his own way.


'The Precious and Fleeting Moments'
by: Tricia McCormick

Every night, I cuddle my oldest tight and rock him. The whole time, my mind is analyzing how big he's gotten, how he barely fits on my lap anymore, how he's no longer my baby, how he's become a boy. Where does the time go? I wonder. Wasn’t it just yesterday that you fit perfectly into the nook of my arms?

Sometimes I stare at him, trying to imagine what he will look like all grown up. And every time I am surprised by the aging face of the little boy staring back at me. He’s not so little, anymore. I tell him, “You’re getting so big! Why do you have to grow? Stay my little baby forever.” And he replies, “But I have to grow, Mommy. I can’t make it stop. I just have to grow.” I know sweet boy, but I wish we could.

These moments that seem never-ending. These moments of motherhood that are frustrating and hard, where I find myself saying, “I just can’t take it!” These are the moments taken for granted.

Because these moments will end. They will not last forever. I want to cherish these moments while he is still small—small enough to need me, small enough to still want me to hold him and kiss him and take care of him. For one day, he will be all grown up, and he won’t need me anymore. And I will find myself longing to do it all over again.

There will come a day when my home will no longer be filled with the sounds of children laughing. When all of the screaming and yelling will stop. Sooner than I think, it will become all too quiet for my comfort—a silent void aching for time to rewind.

I do not know yet how it feels to have them grow up, head off to college, or get married and start families of their own. But I can tell you, I have thought about this, and I both look forward to and dread this moment in life more than anything.

For now, I will sit and soak up these precious and fleeting moments. Because time is a fickle friend. And soon I will be left with nothing more than my memories.

Tired Fulfilled Mom

With two kids under the age of four, this article resonates so much to me.


'THIS IS WHY MOMS ARE SO DAMN TIRED'
by: Mommyhood

It was about 7:30 in the evening, close to bedtime for all, when my daughter grabbed a can of playdough and asked me to help her make a dinosaur. “Not tonight,” I replied. “Mommy has met her quota of building and playing for the day. Let’s do it tomorrow.” It wasn’t that I had a particularly active day. I certainly didn’t do anything too strenuous or taxing on my body. I just did the things I normally do on any given day: make breakfasts, lunches, pick up toys, do a load of laundry, color, read, play and well, mother. Nothing too difficult, right?

But I feel this way every night at about the same time.

Every night by the time the sun starts to set I hit my limit and yesterday I realized why: I am always on. 

Do you know what I mean by on? It means my senses never rest. My brain never stops from the moment my eyes open until the moment they shut. I’m answering questions, calming arguments, explaining, listening, talking. 


My sensory receptors don’t get a chance to chill out even for a second. My ears are always listening, my eyes are always watching, my mind is always processing.

There are stimuli around me always.

I know there are plenty of other jobs that demand this sort of vigilance every minute. But when you mother around the clock, the only minute of quiet you might get each day is the few minutes between the time they fall asleep and your eyes shut. Even then we tend to sleep with one eye open, listening for middle of the night cries and wake ups to use the potty. It is rare that I go more than two nights in a row without one of them waking me up.

And I’m not complaining – I adore them and there is no other job in the world I’d rather do – I’m just explaining. I’m telling you why moms are so damn tired everyday, even though it appears we’ve done nothing extraordinary with our day.

This is why you need a break. 

Moms, this is the reason why you need to say yes to a Saturday afternoon babysitter or a sleepover at Grandma’s house. Your body and soul needs to be able to stop mothering every once in a while.

Yes, you’ll think of your kids while they’re gone and probably worry about them, but you won’t have to keep your ears open to baby cries or hover over someone as they attempt to pour their own juice. You can sit in the quiet for longer than 15 minutes.

I’ve come to realize I can be a better mother when I get a break from being one. And that’s OK. It’s necessary to understand these things about yourself. To know your limits and how to refill your cup because no one else will do it for you. (My friend Rachel has another great take on why moms are so tired.)

So dads and husbands, if you’ve ever wondered how your wife could fall asleep on the couch every night at 8:45, this is why.