I was asked on Sunday by my sister in law, "How is life with two kids?" My immediate reaction was typical of any new parent of two. I'm tired. I'm getting used to the differences of figuring out how best to shop with two, what order I should get them in and out of the car, how much longer it takes to get ready and so forth. Since then, I have been thinking about this question in any spare moment I have. Usually while laying in bed before closing my eyes after a long day. The more I think about it the more positive and beautiful my response becomes. Here is what I would say now if I were asked the same question again...
Wow! I love being a mom of two. It is the most amazing thing to see my four year old love someone else as much as she does. She is growing up just by having him around. She is learning that the world doesn't necessarily revolve around her. In that realization she is learning patience, understanding, empathy, joy, and love on a whole new level. I can't express in words how truly awesome it is to watch her interact with Joshua.
Joshua has taught me that it is possible to love two children at the same time. He made me realize that in loving him I am able to love my daughter not more or less, but definitely differently. He has brought the joy of little things back into the house and that is something that I had forgotten. His smiles consume me and I just can't squeeze him tight enough. He is allowing me to look into the future and see a brother who stands up for his sister and protects her with his everything, even though she is four years older than him. They are that close already and I know it will only grow. He has helped rekindle that spark between my husband and I that sometimes gets pushed to the background when you have kids running around. We just look at our children and remember what this is all about. Our love then grows stronger.
I can't go into every little detail that has occurred by growing our family from one to two, but I can tell you life is wonderful. Yes, there are times I am ready to fall apart. Yes, there are times I just need to close my eyes for a minute and replenish my energy. I wouldn't trade any thing in the world for my two amazing children. They are a precious gift from God and I am so ready to see what the future holds.
Thanks to Claudia for asking this question that allowed me to ponder this idea. I think we all should take time to think about it. I know I never had.
She was insisting on a Dora cake for the past year. I think our little family will be eating it until her next birthday! Way too much for 3 people to eat!
