It Was A Good Night

Last Saturday the babies fought their sleep, and Bug was up until almost 11:00. After he finally crashed, Mark and I were still hungry and decided there was no better time than the present to make waffles. I bet I know what you're thinking. "The kids (both under 3 years old) are asleep, and you're not going to cash in on some sleep, yourselves?!" But they were just frozen waffles-I now, we lead a luxurious life-so we threw them in the oven, and whispered in the kitchen while we waited for our Kirkland delicacies to crisp up. 

Once we'd plated our fourthmeal (thanks Taco Bell, for that gem), Roo was awake, so rather than rock her back to sleep, I sat her in her high chair. I tore up some tiny bits of waffle and she enjoyed exploring their texture, and taking a few tastes. 
I love my daughter with my whole heart. The way that she looks at me is enough to make me cry. Heck, I might cry just thinking about it. But the way she stared at Mark while we ate was the most perfect picture of love I could ever have imagined. I can't describe it, but if you have a child of your own, then you might know. And if you don't have children, then I can tell you that it was a look that not only said I love you, but, I admire you, I think you're funny, I want you to hold me, and pat my back, make me laugh and laugh when I spit food onto your work shirt, and I think I want to bite you...

After an exhausting day, as most days are when you have small children, I felt whole. Bug made me not just a mommy, but Mama, and Roo is the daughter I always knew I'd have someday. I wasn't upset that I didn't get the laundry from the washer into the dryer (which meant it needed to be washed again), or disappointed that I didn't get to run the errands I had planned, and I wasn't even phased by the fact that there was a 62% chance that the stain on my sleeve was poop. 

The look she gave him, changed *my* outlook. I've heard that you spend your life teaching your children about life, and really they are the ones that teach us what life is all about. It's true.