Well, 10 years ago, I wrote my last blog post in the cold, southern Spanish town of Albacete. As much as I loved my mission, I don't mind currently writing in the warm, southern Georgian town of "Fort Benning." It's as glamorous as it sounds.
What prompted me to resurrect this blog, you may ask? Well, I'm a mommy. Mamacita? (iykyk). In fact, I'm a muscle mommy x4 as of recent! 12 weeks along tomorrow, and I couldn't be happier.
truly.
As I was lying nose to nose tonight with my two-year-old, Maggie, in her very small (but apparently sturdy) toddler bed, I had a flash. You know, the life-can't-get-better-than-this flash? It comes more frequently now, as I have clawed my way out of a survival mode that can only come with having a 3 year old, 1 year old, and a newborn at one time. Yes, I had three in diapers at one point, cannot say I recommend. Now they are the fun ages of 5, 3, and 2, and as hard and as long as some (okay, most) days are--it is not lost on me how blessed and rich my life is. I mean, come on, I walk the dog outside for 15 minutes and I come back a conquering hero. Complete with a chorus of "MOMMYYY!" and hugs all around. No one loves you more than your two-year-old kid. In fact, everyone should have their own personal toddler to remind you how deserving you are of love. Don't get me wrong--they also are innately good at humbling you quick. The other day, after bending down in front of her, Charlotte looked at me and simply stated, "I don't like your butt." Rude, but okay. One of my biggest insecurities-- it's fine. But MOST of the time, their mere presence is so healing to my soul.
But, alas, I know this age and this stage and this time won't last forever. And I wanted, nay NEEDED, to capture some of my favorite -isms before I forget and they become too sentient.
1. The way Sam says "WAYYYY" instead of "yay" or "hooray"
2. The way Charlotte hums SO loudly when eating anything especially delicious
3. The way Maggie exclaims "YESTH" with her full mouth of adorable teeth
4. The way Charlotte says "blank-let" and "little tinyyyy"
5. The way a distraught Maggie puts on her brave face and says OKAYYY while holding in tears
6. NOT the way Sam has learned "six, sevennnnn" from school. Another iykyk for ya,
For sure all of these make more sense in person. If you haven't met my kiddos, these are barely funny or cute. But I needed to record these for me. For when I get dementia and need to unlock core memories of the happiest days of my life.
