We had some neighbors over yesterday for a get together. One that was LONG overdue. We’ve been in this house for just over three years now and this was the first time we’d had them over.
At one point, I sat in the garage (stupid 20 mph winds and freshly worked neighboring field made us rethink our idea to be in the backyard) and watched Kate interact with the other kids. It was so clear that she’s turned into this little person, instead of the baby we brought home from the hospital almost 3 years ago. She no longer needed me to be with her every second. With the help of the older girls she no longer needed my constant watchful eye. The girls ran in and out of the garage, through the adults; they’d play in the driveway and front yard, then make their way into the house to play in Kate’s room, then they’d head upstairs to watch TV and grab chocolate chip cookies off the table, run out the front door to play in the driveway again, flitting back into the house once again. Kate would stop in the garage to drink her Dr. Pepper and “help” Ayden play in the jumperoo. She’d give me a hug or say something to Ashley and Ryon and away she’d go.
Although it’s hard at times to see her grow up, I’m grateful that she’s at the age she is for my surgery. She’s old enough that she has some independence. She can get herself a snack out of the fridge, she can go potty on her own (pretty much), she can tell us what she wants and needs, she can get on all of our furniture by herself, she can get in the tub on her own. She has a fantastic imagination and can weave the most creative stories and situations to play out. The realistic part of me knows that the next 8 weeks will have an impact on her. I know she will act out and struggle with some of the changes we’re facing. We’ll get through them though, one change and meltdown at a time. And hopefully at the end of all of it she won’t remember the surgery; she won’t remember the weeks of recovery; she won’t remember how sick Mommy was before surgery.
As she grows up, all she’ll remember is the Mommy that I desperately want to be.
In medical speak, the doctors say my skull is too small for my brain. I like to turn it to my advantage and say my brain is too big for my head. Either way, maybe it will help to spill stuff here.
And remember she is the amazing, independent, amazing little person she is BECAUSE of you! Imagine what a headache free Mommy will be able to do. 😀
You are a great mommy, and will continue to be one even though you will have this surgery/recovery time…It’s great that she’s becoming her own little person and has such an imagination. You know that you’re doing something right since she’s flourishing like this. And by having this surgery, and going through everything to make you better, that will enable you to feel better and be all the mom you can be 😉 She will definitely know that something is up, but with all the family/friends helping out, it will help keep her mind off of it. Just know that she will be ok, and all you will have to worry about is your recovery and getting back into tip top shape!
Love ya….
I’m sorry….did I read in there that you are letting your almost 3 year old drink Dr. Pepper! ;o)! Emma wants to move to your house! She loves her Sprite and Root Beer, but she would LOVE Dr. Pepper :o)! You ROCK!!!
You are a great Mom, & I’m so very proud of you! Just think how wonderful it will be for both you & Kate once the nasty headaches are gone! We’ll all do our best to keep her occupied during your recovery. I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to be on the bed with Mom reading her books 🙂