0.5

Being a stay at home mom is wonderful. I know it's not possible for everyone, but I also know it is exactly what I should be doing right now. Henry is now 6 months old and I have thoroughly enjoyed this half of a year with him. 

I'm not saying it's always easy. Most of the indications that you're doing a good job as a mother (i.e. raising a secure, well-mannered child) only manifest themselves over a long period of time. The daily tasks like laundry, dishes, etc. never seem to end (possibly because they are sometimes left to stack up a bit longer than they should). And maybe it's only me, but having a job that requires you to stay at home with a baby all day long can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. After all, it's not a very enthralling conversation when the response I get to everything I say is, "dadadad." No matter how cute the giggle that follows may be. 

It's been especially hard having Ben out of town for so long. He's been working in Minneapolis for the past six weeks and he flies home on the weekends (though this is the last week!) This means that unless I make a considerable effort to be social, I can go days without any adult interaction. Not good for the emotional well-being of a new mother. Or anyone, for that matter.

But my real purpose here is to express how, despite everything, the benefits of being a mother far outweigh the costs. I know that everyone has struggles. That's just part of life. But the great thing about being a parent is that children seem to somehow make it all worth it. I have never so instantly and absolutely loved a person the way I love Henry. And aside from Ben, I have never loved anyone so completely. Henry is easy going, happy, intelligent, observant, beautiful, and one of my best friends. So here are a few of the things that I love most about Henry:

When he smiles really big, his neck disappears.

He gives me kisses which consist of him putting his open mouth on my cheek or chin.
He talks to himself all the time in a very squeaky voice.

Sometimes when he is nursing, he stops just to look up and smile at me. Which, in addition to being really cute, gets me really wet.

He often has an intense look on his face like he's trying to figure something out.

He does not like to go to bed because he prefers to spend time with his parents.
He often sucks on a blanket/toy/his toes so loudly that I can hear it from across the room

He is not a snuggly baby, but when he is tired or not feeling well, he will rest his head on my shoulder.

He absolutely adores his dad.

He shrieks when he is excited. It actually sounds like he's choking, and it scared me the first few times, but now I don't notice it until someone else asks me if he's okay.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is, I don't know what I would do without him.