what do our children teach us?

We often talk a lot about what we teach our children, but I wanted to spend some time on what I have learned through and because of my babies.

I will start with the birth of my first born.

A very long and over dramatic labor, contractions that make you think you are close only to dwindle down again and then more waiting, all the while unproductive back pains that annoy and discourage while offering no progression. Then all of the sudden it hits, intensity and the pleasure of doing something, it's working! the pain and work or finally paying off and then just like that there he is!! A long and skinny, deceptively quiet baby boy! Breastfeeding gets off to a rocky start, he is just more interested in sleeping than eating. There is no problem on his end, he just eats when he wants and it just happens to be not too often at first. I suffer from engorgement and sore nipples, he isn't concerned, sleeps and eats at his leisure. When momma decides to offer the breast on schedule rather than on demand he goes along without much fuss. Very quickly he stops even asking for food, he just knows it will come and eats with a purpose when it is offered. He is laid down at night, in his own crib, with a blanket and a paci. He watches your face as he peacefully drifts off to sleep. A very easy and happy baby, up for anything and respectful of mommas word. Isaac's birth and infancy taught me a lot of patience and encouraged me to sit back and hand over the reigns, to give into the natural order of things. His toddler years were a reward of sorts, very easy going and delightful. These years taught me joy. As he has grown into this little boy, he is teaching me the lesson of patience and acceptance all over again. He teaches me that I cannot control everything in life, especially other living creatures. I can teach, guide, encourage but ultimately we are who we are and will do what we will. Daily I find myself fighting against the natural order of things, getting annoyed with the ins and outs of raising a child like Isaac. The lesson that I fail to learn most often is that my time, my priorities, my wants and desires are different than his and not any more important than his. One lesson I do learn often is that life is about enjoying the simple pleasures and taking the time to imagine the world as you wish to see it, not just as it is. I love escaping with my son to make believe lands where a simple hanger transforms into a knight and a pencil into a beautiful princess, where a book doubles as a stage for a dramatic production.

and along came Aralyn...

Now at the time of conception, I was deep in the lesson that life was full of love and babies are easy and rewarding. I was so anxious to add to our family and double the joy. The pregnancy was an easy one compared to Isaac's. The labor was another long one but very different in it's presence. There was no stopping and starting, rather slowly going on and on. The contrx were easy to get through but the progress was not being had, I found myself waiting and wanting it to get harder so I could get it over with. The birth was very very hard, I had to draw on strength I didn't know I had. I was tired, beaten, and weakened when it came time to push her out. I needed those around me to pull me through. I had a very hard time with Aralyn's birth learning the lesson of letting go, surrender. Infancy was even harder than the first time around, she breastfeed with a purpose from the get go. There was no telling Aralyn when she was going to eat, she told me. There was no just laying her down, she fell asleep in your arms (usually at the breast). She continually tried to teach me the lesson of letting go, patience, and surrender. I did learn it in some ways but probably still have a ways to go, at least on the patience. Her toddle years have been filled with joy, love, and laughter. She has taught me the beauty and peace that comes in the form of a hug or kiss. She thinks everything is funny, and helps me to see the humor in more things. She loves to be pretty and dirty, at the same time. She has an energy that I envy, and a spirit that is just beautiful. People seem drawn to her smile and her friendly wave. She knows just the right look to give you to get what she wants. She is the personification of a woman. She is demanding, sweet, precious, strong willed, stubborn, emotional, dramatic, loving, forgiving, fun, and graceful.

Through my children I am becoming a better person. They help me to look deep inside my own faults and flaws and see the meaning and purpose behind them. They teach me to take each day as it comes and reveal in the beauty of it. A child does not know or understand time, what a wonderful world to live in!!