Saturday, March 16, 2013

Parenting Truths: Top Two

 Is this baby laughing or screaming? Doesn't matter.

A few weeks ago we were having a good morning around here and I was sitting on the edge of the bed and the baby came and sat on my lap, followed by the Saoirse. I hugged them both tight and felt the joy of motherhood overcome me. I said aloud, I think for the first time, "My cup runneth over."

Saoirse can't let something like that go and insisted, "What Mama? What?" So I explained.

Today they were both on my lap and we were happy and just as the feeling of living the dream came gushing in Saoirse said, "Mama's cup of blessings is spilling all over the place!"

That's not all that's spilling all over the place. I read on someone else's blog that motherhood was one of the only positions where it is possible to be simultaneously in heaven and hell. I have found this to be one of the two universal truths of parenting young children. The highs are higher and the lows are lower. And it's possible to have them both in the same hour, or even minute.

The second truth is that nothing lasts, so if you like it: soak it up. If you don't like it: suck it up. Either way, it will be different soon. The years are short and the days are long, but everything changes quickly.

So soak it up or suck it up, and learn to enjoy--or at least be at peace with--the dichotomous rex roller coaster of emotions. Your cup runneth over.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Hands off the Breech



     Here is my breech, with a shirt from the Coalition for Breech Birth Conference. Hands off!