(with all due apologies to Gabriel GarcÃa Márquez)
Dear Snarkypeeps,
Well, Duty and I made it through the weekend and came out the other side alive. The boys made it through as well – also alive. Wanna know what I learned?
Lessons from a weekend full of love, spit up, and trains:
1. One smile from the Godson of Love can make up for hours of exhaustion. To see him get all excited about whatever food thing is about to enter his mouth is probably the cutest thing ever. (I love him.)
2. It’s entirely possible for a three year old to teach a fifty year old how to play. It warmed my heart to see Luke and Duty bond so well together. (Luke can’t yet pronounce “Uncle Bill” so it comes out as “O’Bill” and it’s beyond adorable.)
3. The Universe loves practical jokes so don’t go blabbing that you’ll have it much easier with a six month old than Duty will with a three year old. He got to sleep through the night, get online and take a nap. I did none of that.
4. How do people manage to do this whole parenting thing? I know it gets easier as they gain independence but I feel like I should go on a speaking tour touting teen abstinence. (Move over, Bristol Palin!) It’s hard, hard work. (Have I mentioned how hard it is?) Cats are clearly my speed. The Universe knew that and as always, I bow to its wisdom.
But you know what? I’d do it again in a heartbeat. They are the sweetest, most loving boys and Cousin O’Cool and husband have done a wonderful job with them. Luke is so thoughtful – I asked for a hug as he was heading to play trains. He said “I’m too busy now.” and ran off. Five minutes later, he came out and said “I’m not busy anymore, Aunt Weeha.” and gave me a HUGE hug. (Melt)
Wisely, I took off work today so now it’s back to sleep for me. Ah! Blissful sleep. (Must admit that I miss Pete’s round little eyes staring at me first thing in the morning, though. That, my friends, is bliss.)
Signed,
Happy to be home but so glad for the experience
In visiting my granddaughter, I am stunned by how time-consuming and exhausting it is! She's now 3 months old and my daughter is feeding her "on demand." I may have done this myself, but my only conclusion has to be that it really is easier when you're younger!
As a parent of two teenagers who are EXTREMELY INDEPENDENT, and someone who long operated under the delusion that it would get easier as they got older, I state unequivocacably that it NEVER gets easier. It just changes and the stress and the way that children suck the life force from you changes! But the joy and rewards are never ending as well. There is nothing in my life more difficult but also nothing in my life is more rewarding than parenting.