what mommyhood taught me

Tagged by Little Finger, here are some of my rough thoughts.

1. Patience, strength, persistence. As a 30-smthg mom, I have way more patience than a 20-smthg DINK that I was. I used to think we were "busy" when we had no kids. Now I have a new definition of the word "busy". I can handle way more than I usually do.
2. Love. Some would think this is obvious. Memories of new moms holding their kids and immediately going goo-goo-gaa-gaa over the kids come to mind. Don't misunderstand me, I had my fair share of those. Rian had a rough first year though, with his acid reflux, and I switched more into "schedule manager" than "loving mom" mode. As Rian grew into a sweet little toddler though, more of that love keeps growing, coming back to me, reminding me what a special bond I share with this little human being who loves me unconditionally.
3. Live for someone else. Before I became a mom, 90% of the things I did were for myself. Now, 90% of the things I do are for Rian. We are literally living our life from his eyes right now, and enjoying his fresh perspectives on everything! We love having him a part of every activity and adventure.
   
4. I am important. In Rian's world, I am invincible. Mommy can do anything, Mommy can get me anything. If I'm in trouble, I can go to Mommy. I am important, and I am loved by Rian. Love that feeling of being the world to him. This feeling makes me do unbelievable things, and fight for my little one.
   
5. Be a better person. As some of you know, I lost 35 pounds in 2010 going from a forever chubby person to a normal looking BMI person. Rian has inspired this change in me, to be a better person, to be a healthier mom, so I can show him how to do it right, and be there to play hide and seek with him. I can be there do hold him on the potty, bend down and make Mumma bridge whenever he wants, and play with him till he's exhausted :-)
   

Conversations

Conversations with Rian are super fun nowadays. There are just too many to recall. Two brilliant ones in the last 2 days:

VTA white train bus

Rian is a big fan of the VTA light rail, and from early on he'd started saying "VTA white train.. tang tang". At some point after he learnt the alphabet, he read the letters VTA written on the buses. He started calling them VTA white train bus. Recently we've started a fun fight with Rian: whenever he says VTA white train bus, we say VTA white bus, there is no train in a bus. He repeats, and we go on 5-6 times, laughing and giggling.

Yesterday Rian was particularly cranky. While putting him into the car seat, Amit tried to distract him: Look Rian, there's a VTA white train bus! Rian was totally silent for a complete 5 seconds, in the middle of his meltdown. I was impressed as usual, with Daddy's talents. Then Rian said: Mumma, Daddy said VTA white train bus :-)

Pick me up

Rian: I saw a photo, Daddy was picking up Mumma

Me: Oh really, where did you see that

Rian: On Mumma's computer

Rian: Why was Daddy picking up Mumma

Me: (Thinking)... umm, because Daddy loves Mumma

Rian: Mumma Mumma, I love you Mumma

(lots of laughter and giggles from Mumma, I love you too mera baccha!)

Sleep routine

We had an elaborate sleep routine when Rian was younger. Now it's down to a few basics: finish milk, brush teeth, put on some bedtime lotion, change into nighttime pajamas, hugs to mom and dad. After this, Rian used to "switch off" Mumma and walk into his room with Daddy. Lately that has reversed, so he prefers "switching off" Daddy since Daddy does really funny antics when he's turning off :-)

After entering his room, Rian likes to see his "plastic moon" turned on, and he "blows it off" (I hide the remote). Then comes good night to his planets - he touches each one and says the name. We switch on his lullabies and I kiss him good night.

Every night Rian tries this stunt of "I want to sleep in Mumma bed". Every night Daddy tells him "it doesn't happen". Sometimes he himself will repeat this part back to us :-) Rian, like any other toddler, likes choice. To motivate him to move past the "I want to sleep in Mumma bed", Rian gets a choice every night "Do you want to switch off Mumma or switch off Daddy"? At this point he gets excited and looks forward to Daddy's antics, and chooses Daddy. Today, Rian went a step further. He says "I don't want to switch off anybody" :-) Wah beta wah, who is teaching you all these words and expressions? He got loads and loads of hugs from us today...