arriving as a parent

i believe that it takes two children to really make you a parent. two children is serious. it's like, you're committed to truly being a family. one child is more of an accessory to a couple. two children is more serious. not that i'm belittling families with just one child, i've just noticed a huge difference between one child to two children. with only one i was the perfect parent. it was easy to have patience with one child. easy to be on top of disciplining one child. playing with one child. mark and i were buddies. pals. playmates. he had me and i only had him.

then comes baby numero 2. things changed. already i noticed that although my level of patience is the same, having to share it between two children means that it runs out sooner. there are times when both my boys need me at the same time and i have to pick which situation has the priority. it's been an adjustment, but in truth, it's been wonderful to see our family grow.

however, that being said, sundays seem to be our hardest day. dave has to leave early for church meetings (his calling as executive secretary has him attending all meetings the bishop is in) so i'm by myself all sunday morning. and it seems that it's on this day, the day i work the hardest to invite the spirit that disasters happen.

case in point, last night (saturday night) mark had a terrible night sleep. why? i don't know. he was up at 2am, 4am, 5am, and 6am. caleb, my angel sleeper, was only up once at 5:30am. however, between the two it meant i was woken up 5xs the entire night. my 7am when mark was ready to be taken out of bed my patience had already been all used up and without dave as my back up, i worried that i would have a less then welcoming to the spirit morning.

usually when mark has a rough night sleep (which in all honesty is rare) we have tantrums and two-year-old moments. so i prepared myself for the worst of sunday mornings. dreading what would come in the hours before i could pair up with dave again in sacrament meeting.

but, and this is what i loved about being a mom. somehow sweet mark seemed to sense my lack of sleep and need to extra love today and he, instead of being difficult and naughty he was cheerful and charming. this incredible attitude is exemplified in how he acted as i got ready for church. normally, well rested or not, my getting ready with mark is always one step forward and two steps back. i put on mascara and look over my shoulder to see mark dumping out my shampoo in the tub. or i reach for my hairbrush only to find mark dipping it in the toilet. i do not look forward to having mark in the bathroom with me as i get ready, but it's rarely avoided. today as i'm halfway through my routine of getting ready, mark walks into the bathroom. "oh no" i think "what's he going to get into this morning." but he surprises me and sits on the floor next to me. "mommy," he says, "sing me a song." i start singing his favorite nursery song "tiny timmy the turtle." "no mommy," he says "a jesus song." so we start singing primary songs. i lead and he copies the words after me. it was so cute. he sat singing with my for 15 minutes as i finished my hair, makeup, and getting dressed! it was a miracle. one of the best sunday mornings we've ever had. you rock kiddo.