Today it was me

A few months ago, we added something new into our bedtime routine. Every night after we tuck her into bed and before we say "Good night," we ask Adeleigh, "What was your favorite part of today?"
It's helped us close our day, no matter how tough or awesome it may have been, on a positive note.
We usually talk about the friends she has played with, the cousins she went sledding with, Grandma and Grandpa who came to visit, playing with her brother, playing at the park, or the toy store. On Christmas Day, despite all of her new toys, the thing that stood out most was the fun she had at bathtime.
Every night, I have patiently been awaiting my turn.
Tonight, it finally came. And it felt awesome.

Me, while cuddling with her in her bed - "Adeleigh, I know you didn't feel well. And today was tough. But, what was your favorite part of today?"
Adeleigh - "Being with you, Mommy."
I gave her a squeeze. "What was your favorite part of today, Mommy?"
Mine was an easy answer. "Being with you."

She's the best.

(Photo by Jessica Loucks)

To the mom

We are all in this together, Moms. Awesome and miraculous as it is, motherhood is far from easy. Children are ever-evolving. And as the Momma, you are ever-expected to keep up. And just when you think you're getting a grip on everything, your child throws a wrench into the gears, or a golfball at your face, or bites the dog, or runs into the street. So you adapt. You take a different approach...
You have successes. You make mistakes. You learn something everyday. Even with 2 hours of sleep under your belt or with barf running down the back of your shirt, you're always learning. There are days that you've got it figured out, and those where you haven't got a clue. But what's nice about this journey called motherhood, is that almost everywhere you turn is a mom who has been there, done that.
To her - Thank you for allowing me to feel "normal". Whatever "normal" might look like today.

To the mom at the park who gives me her number to call if I need an emergency play date, babysitter or info on local storytimes - Thank you for your help.
To the mom who tells me that it is not a sign of weakness to express frustrations about parenthood - Thank you for relieving some of my guilt.
To the mom who tells me I'm not a bad mother because sometimes I yell - Thank you for not judging me.
To the mom who tells me that sometimes she yells too - Thank you for your honesty.
To the mom who I know I can text or call anytime for advice - from "How do I keep my child from running into the street?" to "When should my kids start school?" - Thank you for sharing your experience.
To the mom who offers to trim my baby's fingernails because I'm too scared to - Thank you for your support.
To the mom who thinks to call me on a particularly trying day just to see how I am doing and ends up talking, crying and laughing with me for hours - Thank you for your friendship.
To the mom who I think has everything figured out, but admits to me that she doesn't - Thank you for your example.
To the mom who helped shape me as a little girl, helped support me as a woman and helps to guide me as a mom - Thank you for everything. I hope I make you proud.