Eureka

November 8

I had an epiphany in the shower.

I'm only going to be a parent of littles (< 7 years old) for about... Oh... ten years. Give or take, this is assuming we have 3 kids. I've already got almost 2 of those years under my belt!

This is my point. Sometimes, I have some despair because I think to myself, "I'm never going to have time to myself again. I'm never going to be able to go out again. I'm never going to be able to sleep all night again." I see tantrums stretching out for infinity. I see diapers that never end.

This is, of course, completely illogical. Z is not going to be throwing tantrums forever. He's only going to be in diapers (I hope!) another yearish. Someday, he's going to be so big and will definitely not long to sit in my lap for hours and snuggle.

It's all too easy to get caught up in the everyday anxieties and dramas of  life with a small child and feel like the challenges are all-consuming and never ending. I know I've written on this theme before, but it's so important to remember how temporary everything is so you can soak it all in and be thankful.

It's November. The thankful month. People on Facebook will do daily or weekly or whatever "thankful challenges." On Thanksgiving maybe we will go around the table and say what we are thankful for. It's great to have a time dedicated to that. Take advantage! You don't need to post it on social media for it to be real, just take a moment and savor every amazing thing you have to be thankful for.

Here's my list today in no particular order:

- Hot showers. I can have one EVERY DAY. It's amazing.
- All my creature comforts.
- My job that allows me both fulfillment and time with my son.
- My husband who takes care of us, who let's me nap and rest when needed, who makes me laugh, who supports me and challenges me, who parents our son lovingly, who talks to our fetus who can't even hear him.
- My healthy, sweet, smiley son. He can make me crazy but he can also explode my heart with love and happiness.
- My healthy little in utero baby. Even though I'm in the, "I worry about you every day" phase right now, and the beginning of this pregnancy has been kind of rocky for me, I'm so thankful for this growing little life and the place s/he holds in our family.
- Clementines. I've had three today. Can't get enough citrus in my life. Best part of winter!
- A hot cup of tea.
- Friends who support and love me, far and near.
- Family. Our families are wonderful.
- My new hat and scarf crafted by Marti's artful hands. I love hats and scarfs, especially knitted ones but I can't wear a lot of them because of my sensitive skin. Whatever this yarn is, it's perfection. Plus, I look adorable. Plus, she made matching hats for Joe and Zander. Plus, this scarf is awesome.
- Root beer floats from Culvers. I normally hate root beer but baby apparently LOVES it, so these floats taste like the best thing in the world.