Skip to main content

3 Year Old Sweet Child of Mine

Tough love used to mean something entirely different to me before having a son. 'Tough love' could be used to explain the rough and tumble loving ways of toddler boy! There's no better way to describe it. I never said the following things to Allison when she was young: Don't kiss me so hard, you're going to hurt me! Try not to squeeze me so tight. I don't like it when your snuggling turns into headbutting.
The way he shows love is so hard, so intense. I know that he wants to really show me what he's got when he says he wants to play on the floor. It starts beautifully. Snuggling, kisses, holidng my face with his chubby hands... and then it starts to change. Some under his breath growling, mixed in with sweet nothings like "mama you're my best girl" or "you're so important to me." Soon, he's kissing my face but also bearing his teeth. Next, comes lowering his shoulder and leaning in with all his weight into my chest. Still smiling. Still with intentions of affection. It might remind you of the Looney Toons lines "I will hug him, and pet him and squeeze him and call him George" At this point in the snugglefest, my hair is frizzed out, part of an eyebrow is probably smudged and my face is wet and blotchy. Now, that's tough love from a toddler boy. You never know what you're going to get! The latest gentlemanly thing he does is blow dry my hair. When he hears it start, he runs in and says, "mama I dry your hair for you!??" I watch him while upside with my hair flipped over as he proudly holds the gun that blows hot air... I'm always a little afraid but it's so dang cute!!
I'm not sure how many times his dad has looked at me and said, "he's so badass!" At that point, I feel like I made this sweet bulldozer of a boy that will some day be bigger than me, tougher than me and probably way cooler too. But I'm ok with that because it means he'll grow up like his daddy!I have two very loving boys in my house and am so grateful for them. I'm very excited to see what things 3 brings this little big boy of mine. He's always interested in tools in the garage, snowmobiling, playing with stickers, driving toy cars on the walls or down the bannister and saying big words like hilarious pronounced as "hee-wear-we-us!" I also love how he agrees with me saying "exactly, mom" when I am reprimanding Allison for being a preteen brat before he tells her to go to her room. He's usually on my side when she's being sassy and at that moment he becomes my favorite kid.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tribute to my Mom(This was my speech for her service)

My mom loved to celebrate. She celebrated life full of sports, music, our military, and especially her kids. She would always say "Children should be celebrated." The funny thing about quoting her is that she would always she was someone of few words. Her words made an impact and so did her actions. As we reminisced old stories and looking through even older photographs, she is clearly celebrating in them all! I'd love to share some stories and things that I hold fast to during this difficult time. I'm not going to say I lost my mom, because I didn't. I know where she is and I know she is celebrating up there with some long lost loved ones who she's been missing dearly. The day she passed we were recounting the stories of when she was little girl. Having four older brothers played a big role in these stories as you could imagine. One of my favorites was when her brothers told her that she could be Queen for the day if she sat on the throne-shaped ca
Post a Comment
Read more

No Regrets

The few days before my mom passed, she asked me if there was anything I needed to tell her or share with her as her time was nearing an end. It didn't take me long to say, "No, Mom. I know that you know just how much I love you." We were fortunate to have been in an open, loving relationship where we have always been honest. When I say fortunate I mean I'm happy that we have always been deliberate in expressing our feelings, especially the warm fuzzy ones. I feel gracious to not have to be reconciling or apologizing for long lost grudges or arguments during those last days. That wasn't our style. We wrote cards to each other that took up the entire blank side with an outpouring of our deepest emotions not just on holidays but year-round. I didn't anticipate what a relief that would be in this moment. No regrets. No sadness about our past, just love. Deep, raw, mother-daughter "me and you against the world" kind of bond that will not end now but co
Post a Comment
Read more

One Year Without You

I've been trying to write this for 2 months anticipating or rather dreading this day September 26th, 2018. Marking one entire year without my mom. How is that possible? Months ago, I thought I'd have pushed through to the 'other side' by now. Finding this quote has given me more courage to endure grief. I don't have high expectations of what it will look like each day but I do know this. I retain those deep, raw maternal sentiments she gushed onto me with her loving eyes, her gentle arms and her supportive words within the woven fabric of my soul. What if those pieces unravel? Who will be there to mend them? To sew a new patch? I have to do that. On my own. I will have to care for myself in the ways she taught me. For this reason I dug deeper than ever before into my purpose as a mother and wife. It's beyond fulfilling and I am finally reaping what I have worked so hard to achieve. A loving, wholesome family built on values, respect, and over-the-top "cel
Post a Comment
Read more