On This Mother's Day

I can't believe this is my third Mother's Day already. This week, so much has been made of mothers getting what they "really want" today--which, according to so many in the media, is time away from their families.

Maybe it's different if you have more than one kid or maybe it's different if your kids are older; but I don't feel this way. I understand that everyone needs down time, "me" time--but, to me, today is the day you get the gift card and the promise of a spa day.

What I want today is to spend time with my Munchkin, and to think about the reasons why I love being his mom--how he plays with my hair when he's tired or insecure. How he grabs my neck and hugs me tight sometimes. How he screams "MOMMY!" from the top of the stairs when I'm down in the kitchen. How he holds out his boo-boos to be kissed better.

How being his mother is making me a stronger and more confident person. With all the labels in my life, this is the one I'm most proud of.

Here is my journal entry from my first Mother's Day, when Munch was only about 6 weeks old, before I started this blog:

May 8, 2011

Today is my first Mother's Day--so weird to be on the receiving end this holiday! Hubs has done a wonderful job making it special. We have stayed conscious of Points, but also treated ourselves. For "brunch," we had healthy omelets from IHOP and bagels from Panera. We watched some CSI and then headed to the Rio (for the third time this weekend!) The sun was hot for the first part and then it got a bit overcast and breezy. We were in B&N a bit and then got Potbelly (first time since pregnancy!) and came home for more CSI--and presents! Hubs (and Munch!) did awesome. They gave me the Liam Neeson movie Taken, the new WW cookbook (can't wait to pick out recipes for the week!), an adorable Precious Moment of a mother rocking--that's Munch!--an infant, and from Blue Nile, a locket that says "Mom" with pictures of the boy inside and aquamarine earrings with little diamonds. I couldn't have asked for more!
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Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.

Firecracker

Via http://aacallister.blogspot.com/2010/09/reasons-to-get-your-toddler-cowboy.html

We may have the first evidence that no matter how you try to influence your offspring to adopt your own views, these little people come ready-made with their own likes and dislikes. It's how your liberal household just might get an Alex P. Keaton Republican.

Last night, we were enjoying a quiet Independence Day watching "A Capital Fourth" from the air-conditioned comfort of home. The Munch played happily with his walkers and cars, basically ignoring everything that was on TV. Until.

Country singer Josh Turner started in on his up-tempo ditty, "Firecracker." Wouldn't you know that my son abandoned his toys, stood up (this from the boy who's still only walking when he truly feels like it), and began his version of baby-dancing to this song. He smiled and walked in circles and stomped his little feet. For the entire song.

When it was over, he sat back down and went on playing, ignoring "American Idol" and "Glee" stars as if they were nothing.

Hubbaland was not happy. Hubbaland pretty much detests all songs country (cross-overs like Carrie Underwood and Shania are passable).

This is not the first time Munch has shown his love for a country song, out of the blue, and on his own. A similar display, albeit without the walking, was made during "Dancing With the Stars" when Donald Driver and Peta danced to "I Play Chicken With the Train."

 Munch just may be a little bit country despite the fact this is mama is a whole lot rock n roll.

Of course, I downloaded "Firecracker" last night, just as I downloaded "Train" months ago. Hubbaland said he didn't want to encourage such behavior. I told him--Munch is who he is, and we will embrace it!

Did Munch come out of the womb ready to attend a hoedown? Admittedly, I have played country songs for him, as I have a greater appreciation for them than my one and only. But I also have played him plenty of hard-rocking Aerosmith, folksy Dave Matthews Band, and plenty of current pop. I'm following his lead on this one!