Call me Mommy

There are special moments that really make me proud to be a mother. One such moment happened while putting my Little D to sleep. Let me lay it out for you.

D and I lay down together on his bed. We get tucked in and sing songs. Sometimes we tell each other stories "Once upon a time, a little boy named... D!" or sometimes it's "named Monster!" Since Halloween, D can't really pull himself off of costumes, Halloween parties and monsters. We keep this nighttime routine the same, or as similar as we can. D doesn't deal with change very well. It takes him a while to adjust to something new in his life, like Preschool, but that's a story for another post.

D about a year ago. Love this boy.

 

So most nights, D and I argue a little. He's tired. He refuses naps, even at school and by the time bedtime rolls around we're already in near-constant meltdown mode. Not a fun mode to be in. But there are nights, like the particular night I'm going to tell you about next, when he is simply put, angelic. Nights like this I can only think how wonderful it is to be a mother, especially to be a mother to my sensational boy. He really is amazing. He knows just what to  say when I'm getting stressed out, "Ok, Mommy, take a deep breath ... now, hold yourself ... and Relaaaaaxxx." He knows what to say when I'm feeling sad, "It's alright to be sad, Mommy. It's okay to be sad sometimes." He gives kisses and hugs and loves to sit on my lap and tell me stories about the monster who loves to eat chocolate. 

How did I get this lucky? This blessed? I am so grateful for my little boy. Now, enjoy the short story of one bright moment that has made me feel so proud to be a mommy.

We often sing songs while getting D to sleep, and I decided to sing him this one: "I love you Daniel, oh yes I do. I don't love anyone, as much as you. When you're not near me, I'm blue, Oh Daniel I love you." He then said to me. "Oh Mommy, Kank you. That song make me soOOOOoooo happy." Then he decided to sing the song back to me: "I love you Mommy, love you Mommy. Make me red and pink, Love you Mommy." 

He then proceeded to tell me "that song so perfect Mommy. I love you."

Call me crazy, but there is nothing so sweet as that kind of payout. Being a Mommy is full-time year-round, no-days-off hard work, but when you consider the chunk payouts of love, is there really any reason not to be a mother? I submit that there is NOT! Being a mother is the best job on earth. Really!! I think I'll have 6 more! ... hmmm ... well. Maybe we'll just see how things go. I always try to take life one day at a time... I guess I have to take it one child at a time too. Call me crazy for wanting more, or for only wanted a few more.... let's face it. If I really have 6 more, I'll probably go crazy before the first one leaves the house! Whatever you call me, I hope that someone in this world still calls me "Mommy."

He played so hard. He fell asleep in the middle of his toys.

 

Brownies.... and Black Beans??

In my effort to disguise healthy foods, I decided to try a recipe called "Black Bean Brownies." What could be wrong with some healthy, protein filled, fibrous black beans mixed with some chocolate. Sounds like a win-win... well at least it did to me. More like a win-lose. Win first because I thought I would win. Lose because they were so disgusting I couldn't get past the bean flavor.

To be fair, I have a very discerning palate, so it's not really surprising that I couldn't stand the taste. I mean, chocolate should always be sweet and delicious, in my opinion. You should always want to lick your fingers with delight mixed with ecstasy. I mean, am I wrong in this? Chocolate should be a treat!

I got the recipe from another mom's blog site and I had already tried one recipe that was a home run, so I figured what did I have to lose? The answer: my breakfast!

See for yourself. They look pretty good. Not the best looking brownies I've ever seen, but they still look pretty yummy. Well maybe they do to you. All I see is a pile of beans deceivingly dotted with chocolate morsels.... and there goes my gag reflex.

It's not a total loss though. Little D has had a really great time making "birthday candles" by sticking Popsicle sticks into the pan. Soon I'll throw out the disappointing recipe and the brown squared things that resulted from it, but for now I'll just stare at my boy having fun and feel that twisted pang of failure.

Maybe I'll just pick out the chocolate chips before I throw it out. I can't let the best part go to waste, after all.