What Mother's Day Means to Me

I have two of the most amazing children and they are pretty much nothing like each other. My big boy (5) is developing social skills at his own pace and his cognitive level is far superior to his age group. He is sweet and funny (they have that in common) and loves electronic games and reading books. My baby boy (3.5 going on 18) is chatty and smart and as friendly as they get. I have said many times that he is so socially ahead that he has managed to become his brother's very best therapist. He loves playing games and chatting at the kitchen table with anyone who is visiting. My boys are different from each other but they also have started playing together nicely and enjoy being in each others company.

There is no definition for what motherhood should be like for anyone but being the mother of a special needs child does make the experience different and more challenging. We have had to report to waiting rooms since he was a year old so having to find things to do all day like go to the park or to a mall play area, were never really part of our world. We have had to be "somewhere" everyday for most of his life. He starts Kindergarten this fall and while I dread sending him away for the entire day, the little man has been in school for 3 full years already so I know he can handle anything by now.

We have faced challenges that others likely don't like delays in development or difficulty knowing what he is asking for. We also get the hugs and the snuggles and the adoring love that he shows us.  We get the pride of watching him grow and thrive and kick the ass of these delays that he is faced with. We get to witness him use the words that he has always known and talk to us more each day. And, we get to see the unbelievable mind this kid has and the talents he has learned on his own already.

Being the mother of a typically developing child has challenges too. Like when he plays with the older boys across the street and comes home with an even sassier mouth than he started with. Or when he wakes up 7 times every.single.night and then wonders why I'm a zombie all day long.

There are hard days with both types of kids and there are wonderful days with both kids. I'm tired most days, my patience is not what it used to be and I sure don't get a lot of time for ME but I would not change one single thing about my life as a mother. I am the LUCKIEST mom in the world and I tell my boys how amazing and perfect they are every single night. If they grow up with big egos so be it but they don't ever go to bed at night wondering how wonderful they are!

Everyone has a different path in their motherhood journey but mine is simply perfect for me and I would take 3 more copies of each kid in a heartbeat. I would be exhausted and crispy burnt out but that's how amazing motherhood is for me.

So the absolute best life in the world.. that's what motherhood is to me :).

I also happened to be surrounded daily by an amazing Mom, Gram and Sisters who are all the best moms I know!

Indulge on a Thursday

Today my 3 yr old and I went out to lunch. We go once a week or so and I do love to spend that one on one time with him and his 17 year old personality. When he tasted his chicken he said it was gross which I believe because they were a little well done. We got a new set and suddenly they were  "perfect" and "delicious." While he was waiting for his replacement lunch he got to looking at the very graphic dessert menu. He wanted a brownie and a strawberry sundae which I will never figure out because he really does not seem to enjoy strawberries but I digress. I told him if he ate 2 of the chicken strips that he could have a brownie with ice cream... I don't recall experiencing such a grand level of cooperation and focused chicken eating before today.

But for doing such a great job and cleaning his plate he was rewarded with this.

He loved everything about it. The look and the taste (aside from the chocolate syrup which I'm still not sure how he knew what it was and what it was called. )

He couldn't figure out why I said "NO!" to the Hershey bar at the cash register, sigh..

I loved seeing him enjoy this special treat and highly encourage Thursday indulgence.