I Keep A Close Watch On This Heart Of Mine
In a popularity contest in my house, before Alex was born, Dave was numero uno. As far as Ben was concerned, I was a mere blip on the radar, whereas Dave was the Real Deal. Instead of being hurt by this (which would have been quite easy, really), I took it as a reaffirmation of my good choice in marrying The Daver.
I got very, very accustomed to playing second fiddle, to Dave’s one man-band (well, two men, really), so it came as quite a shock to my system when Alex was born and as far as HE is concerned, there is no better person in the world than his mother, me. It was, and still is strangely flattering to me that this little person is convinced that the sun rises and sets by me (trust me, this is nothing I take lightly).
But the world keeps on spinning as per usual, and a strange development is taking place in my house: Ben has decided that I am awesomely awesome. As far as I know, I am the same person that I always have been to both of them, but something deep inside of Ben is shifting. Dave is amazing, of course, but MOM has been cast in a new light.
Here is an actual conversation that was had over lunch this week:
Me: “blah, blah, blah, blah, Britney rules! Blah, blah, blah.”
Ben: “Mom?”
Me: “blah, blah, blah, blah. Yes, Darlin’?”
Ben: “I’m gonna marry you when I grow up.”
Ben: “I can go to the store for you and stuff.”
Me (stunned): “Don’t you think I’m a little old for you?”
Me: “I mean, you’re going to be a great husband, should you decide to get married. You’re a real sweetheart, duder.”
Ben: “No, Mom, I think you’re just perfect.”
I am not even exaggerating when I tell you that my heart, like the Grinch in Whooville, grew 10 sizes that day.
I guess we’re doing something right.
I love how he offers to go to the store for you. Precious.
This is the magic that makes carrying them, and nursing them, and watching them breathe *while in dire need of sleep yourself*….worth every minute.
I’m very proud of Ben and Alex, and the Daver for that matter, for having such wonderful taste. You rock, Chica!
I have to say now that Louie is a whopping *almost* 7, he has stopped calling me Mommy. He simply calls me Mom. At first I was really taken aback, and a little miffed…but now I see the reasons why the gods allow this to happen to all of us who live to hear the word Mommy come out of our child’s mouth….on those occasion when he thinks the sun rises and sets with me, like this morning when I made him special oatmeal and warm chocolate milk, he held me close while I delivered the food, snuggled into my neck and said….You are the best Mommy in the universe, and I’m really glad you are mine.
Shit, I almost told him to jump back into his jammies, I’d call into work sick *so freeking happy I could fall over*, and we’d play Halo on the XBox all day long. But of course, reason won out and we toddled on to another day at first grade.
this being a Mom stuff is really a perfect gift, that I work my ass off for every day, but nonetheless, a perfect gift.
See Becks, I’m giving you a run for your money on the runonsentance,paragraphthing!
k
Dude, Kim, you rock! You’re going to be as run-on-y as me.
Having kids is wonderful, for certain. I happen to love the stages that both of my children are going through right now. Well, I’d like it better if Alex would sleep, but hey, you can’t have it all.
that is so sweet.
Clearly the kid has some good taste.
I want someone to go to the store for me!!
xo
That brought a tear to my eye. What a blessed lady you are!
Cali, NO JOKE, right? Actually, I enjoy going to the store most of the time. It’s hard for me to get out much with Alex on my arm (he’s heavy), so I relish the opportunity to go out with them.
Thanks, Karen, I am very, very fortunate.
Awww…So sweet. Do I get to say I told you so now? I always knew you were the best Mom!
Thanks P-funk, I’m blushing.
yeah – i would have pretty much died, right there, on the spot! 🙂