Mondays

I was asked if I had a relaxing weekend. Hmmm. The answer is no.

But what is a parent of two young children going to say? They didn't nap, were excited about the puppy, and we were trying to clean up the house from the mess of the week which takes the whole weekend. Are you other parents out there with me on this?

I still try to take the time to just sit there and hang with my kids. You know how when they are sleeping you will occasionally just stare at them with wonder? They look so sweet - and the fact that they are sleeping gives you the time to really contemplate all they have done and hope for all they will one day do without the whining and boundless energy diverting attention from what is meaningful.

I now try to take these same moments with the kids while they are awake, albeit a more difficult task. I will sit on the couch and just concentrate on them and not worry about the dishwasher needing to be unloaded, the laundry that needs to be made, the groceries that need to be bought, the unending to-do list or the weight-on-my-chest-disabilities.

I pay attention to just them, and frequently am rewarded with a funny remark, gesture or sweet interaction amongst siblings that makes me say "Wow - I made that." Sophie has the best one liners in town - I have begun to postthem to facebook and after a great suggestion, decided to start and log them. I only wish I could have started this sooner. She is so-o-o funny and unique that way.

As for Zach, I was starting to get a little weary again when I hadn't seen any significant progress in the past few weeks. His schedule has been terribly disrupted with illnesses, both his, his sister's, and a therapist or two, which has made him lose the consistency he requires. Frustrating.

And then there was the other night. As he lay on the bed with me since he would not settle down in his bed to go to sleep, I told him to say: "Night night to Dada" to which he said "Night night Dada". Whoa - he didn't just echo it and it blew me and Steve away. Steve walked right back in the room and kissed him with such an intensity on the forehead that I knew he felt the thrill I did of just witnessing such an awesome moment. Such a simple gesture, so unexpected, but we made ourselves available to hear it and we are so glad we did.