30 Things My Kid Should Know About Me: Number 24

What are your favorite and least favorite things about parenthood?

(I'm sure no one else will notice this, but I changed the post question so that it was grammatically correct. I'm a little OCD.)

I've only been a parent for nine months so I can only speak to the experiences so far and I know there is a lot still to come and this answer may change in the years to come.

My favorite things (yes, I'm cheating and making it more than one) about being a parent are:

• I love seeing your reaction when I walk into the room. You smile and sometimes squeal when you see me. It is the most amazing thing!
• I love hearing you laugh. Your laugh is incredible and it always makes me smile and usually makes me laugh until I cry.
• I love when you snuggle in with me, especially since you aren't much of a snuggler yet. You will snuggle when you're sleepy, either because you are ready to go to bed or you just woke up and are still sleepy. You are a warm snuggly cuddlebug and it makes me smile.
• I love seeing your dad and you together. Your relationship is still developing and growing, but watching you two together warms my heart. Your dad will tell you that you didn't always like him at this stage, but I disagree. You two are a lot alike and will definitely butt heads throughout your lives. However, your dad loves you so much and is so great with you.
• I love playing with you in our bed when we get up on weekend mornings. We spent 30 minutes to an hour playing in bed as a family. Usually you are crawling all over, spitting and climbing, but it is one of my favorite parts of every weekend.

My least favorite things (cheating again) about being a parent are:

• I don't like it when you aren't feeling good and I can't do anything about it. I think you inherited my allergies and it makes sleeping difficult for you at times and I can't do much to help you. You are too young for medicine and when your nose is so stuffed up, I just wish I could do something.
• I don't like it when you act like you aren't feeling good and I don't know why so I can't help. Yes, there is a theme here. I always want to make you feel better when you don't and it frustrates me when I can't.
• I don't like it when you wake up in the middle of the night and don't go right back to sleep. I'm learning to live with less sleep, but I still love my sleep. I will always get up to take care of you and don't have a problem with it. It's just not my favorite thing.
• I don't like it when you cry when I leave you at daycare. I know it's the only option and that it is good for you to spend some time with other kids. I know that it's good for me to have my job that I love and that I wasn't made to be a stay at home mom. I know that you are fine within minutes of me leaving because the ladies at daycare take wonderful care of you and you have a good time. However, it makes my heart hurt when I have to leave you when you are crying.
• I don't like when I get insecure about my ability to be a good mom to you. This happens mostly when I'm tired or stressed about other things. I know that I do a good job taking care of you, but I struggle with insecurity and always want to be the best mommy I can for you. Sometimes that leads to me doubting myself, but it happens less and less.

After nine months, those are my favorite and least favorite things about being a parent. The favorite things most assuredly outweigh the least favorite. I really love being your mom and just want to take care of you the best I can.